Messi second substitution this season

Messi did not start at Heliópolis. As in the first round, Koeman left him on the bench against Betis, surely watching the game that awaits Barça next Wednesday at the Sánchez Pizjuán. It was Messi's second substitution this season in the competition. The Argentine also missed the matches against Eibar, due to an ankle discomfort; and against Elche, for the sanction that he dragged from the final of the Super Cup.

They are the only two substitutes for Messi this season. In Champions, he rested on visits to Kiev and Budapest. He did not travel to Ukraine and Hungary, respectively, to play Dinamo and Ferencvaros. In the Cup he did not play in suspension in Cornellà but he did so in Vallecas and Los Cármenes, where he lasted the 120 minutes. Looking at the Cup, Koeman left it out.

It was not the only substitution sounded. De Jong was also a substitute. It was the second time that the Dutchman did not play in LaLiga as a starter this season. Before, he stayed on the bench in the game against Valencia.