Work with me. It’s a difficult time for us culés. And no,  that’s not a word associated with yummy juicy asses although I could see where you might think that.

A culé is a Barça fan in Catalan much like a Masshole is a Pats fan and a Fat Guy Crying is a Browns fan in English.

You see,  Lionel Messi broke a bone in his arm last weekend during a La Liga game and will not be available to play in today’s game against Inter Milan.

Of course,  that also means he won’t play in the Clásico on Sunday against Real Madrid and probably won’t play in all the games in the next three weeks.

So,  does that mean Barça is in trouble? The short answer is yes. The defense has struggled and only the brilliance of Messi has dragged Barça “over the line” as they like to say in Australia.

In a sense,  the true worth of Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi is really only appreciated in their absence.  Real Madrid is a shell of their former selves and the reason is that the threat of Ronaldo is gone. Both externally as felt by the other team and internally as seen in how he pushed the other Real players to be better.

Messi is the same way.

Today will be a big test for Barça.  Are they truly a team of stars or merely part of the Spanish “Messi and Friends” tour?

Here is the full schedule (all times Pacific):

Yes,  I do realize there are other games, but,  what can I say? I’m a sexy culé!

Seriously,  though, both the Dortmund-Atlético  and the PSG-Napoli games look really good. I may end up watching those if the Inter game goes as bad as I think it might…

Once again,  I highly recommend using the Univision Deportes app for your viewing pleasure. EVERY game is on and the Spanish announcers make it really easy to figure out when you need to pay attention while working.

Also this:

Yes, that’s an all-female announcing booth.  Univision Deportes is leading the way in providing females lead roles in soccer broadcasts in announcing,  sideline reporting,  and providing analysis. Broadcasting all 8 games almost simultaneously gives opportunity to these women to hone their craft.

And you thought Latinos were all just about the taco de ojo…

Enjoy the games,  everyone!