Spanish champions Barcelona suffered a series of body blows this weekend, and the timing could not have been worse with two huge matches coming up.

First up arch-rivals Real Madrid claimed a slim 1-0 win over Racing Santander, which sent Los Merenges top just a week ahead of the first El Clasico clash of the season.

Barca then passed up the chance to leapfrog their bitter rivals later on Saturday night when they could only draw 1-1 at Athletic Bilbao. And their night got a lot worse with the news that Lionel Messi faces a spell on the sidelines after picking up a suspected torn thigh muscle.

With a crucial home Champions League clash against Inter Milan tomorrow, followed by the visit of Real to the Nou Camp on Sunday, it was not the kind of preparation Pep Guardiola’s side needed.

Messi was replaced in the 75th minute by Bojan Krkic and Guardiola explained: “We took him off because he was in pain. We’ll do more tests but the outlook is not good.

“The first feelings we have about the injury are not that good. I am certain he feels sad about it, because nobody likes to be injured.”

Brazilian Dani Alves put Barca ahead early in the second half but substitute Gaizka Toquero, only on the pitch a few minutes, equalised soon after to allow Real to open up a two-point cushion at the top of the La Liga table.

Alves may have earned his side a point but the full-back admitted it was not enough. He said: “It is a bad result when you consider the opportunities we had.

“We now have a tough Champions League game Inter and then Real. We just have to be positive and believe in ourselves.”

All eyes were on Barca forward Thierry Henry (left) after his controversial handball helped France eliminate Republic of Ireland in the midweek World Cup play-off.

But Henry played just six minutes after Guardiola opted for Messi, Andres Iniesta and Pedro up front. And with Messi now joining Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the injury list, Barca fans will be wary going into the clash with Italian champions Inter.

After all, a defeat to Jose Mourinho’s side, coupled with a win for Rubin Kazan would see the defending champions crash out of the competition at the group phase.

Real warmed up for a home match against Zurich without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo. But things looked good when Gonzalo Higuain slotted home with 22 minutes gone.

Real could not add to that strike but it was good enough for a club still getting over their Cup humbling to minnows Alcorcon.

Portuguese star Ronaldo could be set to return against Barca, and Real go into the Nou Camp date with a two-point lead.

Coach Manuel Pellegrini said: “It is always complicated after a two-week break and coming off the back of the Kings Cup loss. When you get towards the end of the match with only a goal cushion it is always risky but we had several chances and also hit the post twice.”