Aug 25, 2013 02:02 PM EDT
Malaga vs Barcelona Live Stream: Watch Free Online La Liga Game From La Rosaleda

After a smashing opening win, Barcelona will be keen to continue their good form against Malaga in the La Liga, but will have to do without their talisman Lionel Messi.

The little magician is injured and will miss the game at the La Rosaleda, but manager Gerardo Martino is confident Barca can cope without Messi.

"We have a lot of really good players to produce a good game and we mustn't use Messi's absence as an excuse," Martino said.

"We're very optimistic about his (Messi's) progress, but it's unnecessary to take risks at the beginning of the season. I'm not worried about Messi because he looks very good to me. 

"He's prepared himself well during the holidays and has come back in great shape.  The injury the other day was down to chance."

With Messi out injured, all eyes will be on Neymar who is expected to start his first La Liga game. However, Martino decided to reduce the pressure on his other superstar.

"We've got a schedule for Neymar and there's no footballing situation that will shorten it," he said. "Just because Messi doesn't play that doesn't mean Neymar has to take the helm.

"He's looking better and better as days go by and he accumulates training and gets to know his team-mates and the Club. My intention is that when he plays, he does so at the top of his game."

Martino said he learnt more from the Super Cup game against Atletico Madrid in midweek than the first La Liga game of the season against Levante. The second leg is scheduled after the Malaga match and Martino is keen to see it through before concentrating fully on the league.

"I took more conclusions from the clash with Atletico than against Levante," he added. "I believe we pressed really well.

"It's nice to play finals as they calm the spirit of the team and create optimism for the season. But it's also true that last year the league title was determined by what happened in the first four months. We mustn't be distracted by anything."

To watch Malaga vs Barcelona Live Stream for U.S. viewers, click here.

To watch the match in the U.K., click here.

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