Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza blasted Barcelona after losing star forward Lionel Messi for important World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Paraguay in October.
Messi is set to miss three weeks of football owing to a groin injury suffered in Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
"They send us messages to look after Messi but they don't protect him. He plays every match," said Bauza, who said his team can still do well without the Argentine.
"We've already played without Messi. Having him is an advantage for the problems he creates (for opponents). But for me as coach and for the team it's a challenge if we have to play without him."
Argentina are third in the South American World Cup qualifying group, one point behind leaders Uruguay. They play Peru on October 6 before hosting Paraguay on October 11 in Cordoba.
Only the top four teams in the CONMEBOL group will qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, while the fifth will head to a play-off with the Oceania group champions.
