BARCELONA, Spain -- Lionel Messi will miss Barcelonas Spanish league game at Malaga on Sunday while he recovers from a muscle injury in his left leg. Barcelona said on Saturday that even though Messis "progress is satisfactory," coach Gerard Martino left the Argentina forward out of his squad as a "precaution." "We are optimistic, but its risky to play him again three days later with the league just under way," said Martino. "I think Messi is fine and Im not worried about what has happened or whats being said. He prepared well during the summer holidays. What happened the other day was a coincidence." Messi bruised a muscle in his left thigh during the first half of Wednesdays 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup. With Messi substituted at halftime, new signing Neymar went on and scored the equalizer for his first goal with his new club. The return leg is set for this Wednesday at Camp Nou. Martino said that Messis absence Sunday doesnt guarantee that Neymar will get his first start for Barcelona. Neymar has been recovering from a case of anemia which the Brazil striker developed after having surgery on his tonsils this summer. "Neymar is getting better each day. He has more training sessions under his belt and knows the squad and club better," said Martino. "We have to ease him forward little by little so that everything goes well. Just because Messi isnt there doesnt mean that Neymar will take the helm. We have many good players to challenge Neymar for a spot in the starting 11. He can play in any game, but nothing has changed because he scored against Atletico." Martino also chimed in on rival Real Madrids reported bid for Tottenham winger Gareth Bale, which could surpass its record deal for Cristiano Ronaldo of "He looks like a good player," said Martino, while adding: "The price is a lack of respect considering how the world is right now." In June, Barcelona paid Santos (euro)57 million ($74 million) to acquire the 21-year-old Neymar. Martino, who guided Newells Old Boys to the Argentine league title last season, took over Barcelona last month after former coach Tito Vilanova stepped down to fight a recurrent throat tumour. ú80 million ($131 million) in 2009. Spanish media reports place Madrids offer for Bale between ú77-85 million. Ron Santo Jersey .3 seconds remaining, and No. 7 North Carolina held off a resilient No. 25 Virginia team, 54-51, on Saturday. John Henson contributed a double-double with 15 points to go with 11 rebounds for the Tar Heels (25-4, 12-2 ACC), who have won five straight and 10 of 11. Chicago Cubs Gear .com) - The Calgary Flames are spoilers once again. https://www.cheapcubs.com/3100t-dennis-e...ersey-cubs.html. Raonic, the mens No. 8 seed from Thornhill, Ont., needed more than three hours to overcome Frenchman Gilles Simon 4-6, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 and become the first Canadian man into the fourth round at Roland Garros. Benito Santiago Cubs Jersey . -- Jerome Verrier scored once and set up two more as the Drummondville Voltigeurs downed the visiting Chicoutimi Sagueneens 5-1 on Friday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League play. Robel Garcia Jersey .com) - Fair Grounds commences its road to the Kentucky Derby Saturday with the 71st running of the $200,000 Lecomte Stakes.KREFELD, Germany -- Sam Soliman of Australia won the IBF middleweight title Saturday with a unanimous decision over Felix Sturm of Germany. Soliman was the more active fighter throughout the bout and kept coming at the champion throughout the 12 rounds. Sturm may have landed the bigger punches but there were too few of them. Soliman won withh a big margin on all three cards.dddddddddddd One judge had him the winner with a score of 117-111, the other two scored it 118-110. The Australian also won a decision against Sturm in February 2013 but the fight was later ruled a no contest, when Soliman tested positive for a banned stimulant. He was banned for nine months. ' ' '