SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 20 hrs 23 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
DL
Champions League | Group Stage
Sep 17, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
BL

0-0

 
FT

Barcelona to make late decision on Lionel Messi fitness

:Headline: Barcelona to make late decision on Lionel Messi fitness: ID:371699: from db_amp
The Argentinian forward has not played this season because of a calf injury.

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde will make a late decision on whether to include Lionel Messi for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund.

The Argentinian star is yet to make an appearance this season having suffered a calf injury in August but travelled to Germany with his team-mates.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Valverde said: "We'll decide tomorrow whether Messi is going to play. We weren't sure a week ago, but there's been a lot of progress."

Valverde is considering starting Luis Suarez after he returned from his own injury problems with two goals as a substitute against Valencia in LaLiga on Saturday.

He must also decide whether to hand another start to 16-year-old wonderkid Ansu Fati, who could become the Champions League's youngest ever goal scorer.

Fati became Barcelona's youngest scorer when he netted against Osasuna prior to the international break and he followed up with a goal and an assist on his full debut against Valencia.

Valverde said: "We're thrilled with Ansu Fati, but we all have to take care of him. If he plays tomorrow, it won't be to break records, but rather because the team needs him."

The clash will be the first in the Champions League between Dortmund and Barcelona, whose only previous meetings came in the UEFA Super Cup in 1997.

Midfielder Marco Reus said he would be "very happy" if Messi played, telling a press conference reported by uefa.com: "He is the best player in the world."

Reus added: "We're facing a difficult match tomorrow. We need to be switched on. We have to make our mark going forward, find ways to create chances and, of course, score goals."

Dortmund have their own doubt over defender Lukasz Piszczek, while Nico Schulz is definitely out.

Manager Lucien Favre said: "We're obviously excited to be playing against Barcelona. In 1991, I spent two weeks shadowing Johan Cruyff. That definitely inspired me.

"We have to be fully on our game for 95 minutes. We need to be focused and play with courage going forward. We need to be prepared for all eventualities and be present in the moment."

amp_article__371699 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-09-16 21:03:16:
html db last update - 2021-03-07 20:08:31 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Lionel Messi

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .