Barcelona can cope without Messi – Pique

Barcelona duo Gerard Pique and Ivan Rakitic discussed Lionel Messi's injury following Saturday's win over Sevilla.

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi hobbles off injured.

Gerard Pique acknowledged the absence of Lionel Messi will be a blow but insisted Barcelona can cope without its superstar captain.

Messi will miss three weeks with a fractured arm after suffering the injury in Barca's 4-2 win over Sevilla in Saturday's top-of-the-table La Liga clash.

After setting up Barca team-mate Philippe Coutinho and scoring himself, five-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi landed heavily on his right arm before leaving the field in the first half at Camp Nou.

Messi will sit out next weekend's Clasico against Real Madrid, as well as Barca's Champions League fixtures against Inter.

READ | Inter, El Clasico and more - the games Messi will miss with broken arm

"Psychologically we know that when he is there we are stronger but we cannot allow his absence to affect us. It makes a big difference to have or not to have him but we have enough cover so as not to worry about whether he is there or not," Barca centre-back Pique said.

Messi has scored seven La Liga goals for the Spanish champion this season and 12 in all competitions.

"We will try to make sure Leo's absence is noticed as little as possible," Barca midfielder Ivan Rakitic added.