Forced to leave for Paris, for lack of resources in Catalonia, Lionel Messi left a big void in Barcelona. The prodigy has hardly flown away, Gerard Piqué confessed his heartbreak in the Spanish media. ” The team is a bit broken with this departure. It’s difficult, painful, it’s a shock, especially for those who have spent a lot of time with him. We know that with Leo we are losing a very important piece. He’s the best player of all time … »

Words to which another essential part of the Blaugrana locker room adheres today: Sergio Busquets. « I was left in shock, admits the latter, this Monday at a press conference, on the eve of a highly anticipated Barça–Bayern in the Champions League. For everything Leo represents for Barça, for what he also represented for me and for our families on a personal level… It was difficult emotions to deal with. These are decisions that are not up to us. It’s hard… »

“Facing a new page”

However, La Pulga party, FC Barcelona must remain a strong institution. ” Leo is gone, but today the most important thing is the team, explains the international midfielder. We saw it with Chelsea last year. Leo brought us a lot on a collective level, but we are facing a new page. We have to change our mentality. We know it won’t be easy, we know how difficult this challenge is, but we remain as ambitious as before. »

The Munich, first opponents of the Catalans this season on the European scene, are not mistaken. Like Manuel Neuer: « I wouldn’t say that we are going to arrive any quieter because Messi is no longer there. They (the Barcelonans, editor’s note) have high-class players, they may even be less predictable. Without Messi, the executives will take more responsibility. Tactically, I think they will play better collectively. FC Barcelona will never be a weak opponent. »

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