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Tonight's match is as much about Saturday's match with Atletico Madrid as it is about Getafe CF, and it's perhaps about one player more than it is about 22 different individuals. Of course, I'm talking about the return of the best player in the world, the greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi.
Finally fit again after an extended absence, Messi is named to the squad for the first time since November and while he is unlikely to start, the football world is aching to see the Argentine make a cameo appearance off the bench. For Gerardo Martino, tonight's match is an opportunity to gauge Messi's fitness ahead of that pivotal clash with Atletico Madrid. Can he cope with the pace of the game after a lengthy absence? Is he ready to start, and possibly play an hour or more on Saturday?
And perhaps, if Messi isn't ready, then who can step up in his place? Neymar could start as false nine tonight, and will hoping to impress Martino to reclaim his place in the starting line-up for that match with Diego Simeone's Atletico. Scorer of the only Barca goal in the Super Copa clash between the two sides, Neymar will surely be a crucial part of Martino plans, even if he faces competition for that starting place from both Pedro and Alexis Sanchez.
With a hectic schedule ahead, Barcelona will be aiming to make their own lives as simple as possible. Defeat Getafe tonight, preferably putting this tie out of reach, and swiftly switch focus back to La Liga. Will they be able to do it? Predict the score of tonight's Copa del Rey clash between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF by commenting with your prediction below. Best of luck!
