The narrative is a simple one to follow. Despite losing Lionel Messi to injury (knee), Barcelona were able to find a 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. Even with his absence, the Catalan giants are in good shape.

Except they aren’t and Tuesday’s result will do nothing more than mask serious concerns.

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For 80 minutes, Barcelona looked listless on the pitch, making nothing of their 70 percent possession. A majority of their 17 attempts did little to trouble Bernd Leno. Even Sergi Robertos’ goal was fortunate enough to trickle past the Bayer Leverkusen keeper.

It took one moment of brilliance to wash all that doubt away.

The real trouble, however, begins Saturday when Barcelona visit Sevilla at the Estadio Sanchez Pijuan -- a trip the club will be forced to make without Andres Iniesta.

For the first time in ages, Barcelona will take the pitch with no Messi, no Xavi and no Iniesta. The holy trinity responsible for the most prolific club in the modern era is no more. It’s an early glimpse of what life will be like at the Camp Nou in four years time, when Messi and Iniesta are past the prime of their careers.

It’s a life Barcelona will not want to live.

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