Messi blow for Barca

Barcelona are sweating on the fitness of superstar Lionel Messi ahead of their two huge matches this week.

Messi limped off during the second half of Saturday night's 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao with a thigh problem in his left leg and he will undergo tests on Sunday to determine the extent of the injury.

Barca boss Pep Guardiola admitted following the game at San Mames: "The initial feelings are not too good to be honest. I'm sure that he feels sad, nobody likes to be injured."

Barca will be keeping their fingers crossed as they face Inter Milan in a crucial Champions League fixture in midweek before hosting bitter rivals Real Madrid in La Liga at the Nou Camp next weekend.

Messi's injury is the latest setback for Barca, who were already without striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Yaya Toure and Eric Abidal for Saturday's game.

Toure and Abidal were both missing due to swine flu, while Rafael Marquez has been cleared of suffering from the illness.

"What can we do? Stand still? The fans must understand that we will play with what we have," added Guardiola with regards to the absentees.

Barca defender Dani Alves, who put his side ahead against Athletic in the 54th minute before the home side drew level through Gaizka Toquero nine minutes later, admits it would be a blow to lose Messi.

"It's bad news because he is an important piece for us, although we must wait to know the extent of the injury," the Brazilian said.