Neymar makes case for starting place

MADRID. Neymar’s first competitive goal for Barcelona and an injury worry for Lionel Messi puts the Brazil forward in the running for a place in the starting line up at Malaga in La Liga this weekend.

Friday, August 23, 2013
Neymar celebrates scoring for his new club having arrived at Barcelona from Santos in a u00a348m deal

SaturdayElche    vs    R Sociedad    7pmEspanyol    vs    Valencia    9pm Villarreal    vs    Valladolid    11pmSundayAtletico    vs    Rayo    7pmMalaga    vs    Barcelona    9pmLevante    vs    SevillaBetis    vs    Celta Vigo    11pmMondayGranada    vs    Real Madrid    9pmMADRID. Neymar’s first competitive goal for Barcelona and an injury worry for Lionel Messi puts the Brazil forward in the running for a place in the starting line up at Malaga in La Liga this weekend.The 21-year-old, who cost Barca 57 million euros, came on as a second-half substitute and nodded in at the back post as the champions came from behind to draw 1-1 at King’s Cup winners Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup first leg on Wednesday.Barca coach Gerardo Martino has tried to keep the pressure off the youngster, calling for patience from fans, and has only used him as a substitute in last Sunday’s La Liga opening 7-0 rout of Levante and against Atletico. The Argentine brought Neymar on in the 59th minute at the Calderon with the side trailing against an abrasive and well-organised Atletico, and he shrugged off the animosity of the home crowd to head the equaliser.