Martino Sets New Barca Record With Almeria Victory.

Barcelona’s 2-0 triumph over Almeria on Saturday, saw coach Gerardo Martino’s men reach a record seventh straight victory at the start of the Spanish La Liga season.

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi was substituted with a thigh injury after opening scoring with his eighth league goal of the season. He is ruled out of the Spanish champions’ trip to Celtic for the Uefa Champions League Matchday 2 tie as he reportedly will be out for two to three weeks.

Brazilian defender Andriano grabbed the second for the visitors.

Coach Martino has now beaten a record set by five other previous managers- Pep Guardiola (2009-10) and Tito Vilanova (2012-13), both men part of the lists of coaches to have started the Spanish season with six successive victories.

26-year-old reigning World Footballer of the Year, Lionel Messi grabbed the opener for the Baulgranas in the 21st minute, curling a short home from 20 yards, before asking out of the pitch due to a thigh muscle strain eight minutes later.

Lionel Messi Set to  Miss Barca's Trip to Celtic Park Due to a Tie Injury.
Lionel Messi Set to Miss Barca’s Trip to Celtic Park Due to a Tie Injury.

It is Messi’s second leg injury of the season. He missed the second game of the season after bruising his left thigh and also missed several games at the end of last season with a right hamstring pull.

Adriano increased the tally shortly before the hour mark, tapping a Cesc Fabregas’ low cross into the net from close range.

In addition to the Celtic match, Messi will likely miss Argentina’s games against Peru on Oct. 11 and Uruguay on Oct. 15 as well as two Spanish league games against Valladolid and Osasuna.