Barca begins road trip without Messi

A Barcelona side missing injured Lionel Messi faces Sporting Gijon in the first of three away games in a week, as it battles to keep pace with La Liga leader Real Madrid on Saturday.

Messi suffered the recurrence of a groin strain in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid that will keep the five-time World Player of the Year sidelined for the next three weeks.

His absence could have a bigger impact on Argentina than Barca because the two-time world champion will be without its captain for World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru.