Real Sociedad boss hails ‘unstoppable’ Messi ahead of Barcelona clash

Real Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil has spoken about Lionel Messi and how taking on an in-form Barcelona will be a “beautiful challenge” for his side on Sunday.

Ronald Koeman side head to Anoeta on a 17-match unbeaten run and will fancy their chances of beating a Real Sociedad team beaten by Granada last time out.

Messi comes into the game with 10 goals and five assists in his last nine games in all competitions for Barcelona, and Alguacil knows all about the threat the captain offers.

“Messi is unstoppable, I think there is no coach or team or player who is capable of stopping Messi. He has shown it and will continue to do so as long as he is physically strong,” he said.

“Barcelona have had a great run since January and for us it is a beautiful challenge.

“We played at home, where last year we managed to draw and this year, in the Super Cup, we also saw how they played against us, so you have to see if we are able, at least, to be competitive and take advantage of the opportunities we may have.”

The two teams last met in January in the Spanish Super Cup, a game Messi missed due to injury. Barca ran out winners on penalties after the game finished 1-1 after extra time.