Barcelona rebounds from loss with Atletico win

Madrid: Lionel Messi was stretchered off with what looked like a serious ankle injury after the Argentina forward and Gerard Pique scored in Barcelona’s 2-1 victory at Atletico Madrid.

Messi celebrated the 10th anniversary of his arrival to Barcelona with a 13th-minute opener before Raul Garcia headed home an equalizer for the hosts in the 25th minute yesterday.

Pique calmly controlled a corner kick inside the Atletico area to fire home the 33rd minute winner, but Barcelona’s victory was marred when World Player of the Year Messi exited on a stretcher during stoppage time.

Messi was diagnosed with a strained right ankle, while Atletico finished with 10 players after Tomas Ujfalusi was sent off for tripping the Argentina forward in full flight.

“I think the images speak for themselves,” coach Pep Guardiola said. “The doctors will tell us how he is (on Monday). He’s sad, red-eyed.