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Champions League | Group Stage
Sep 17, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
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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."

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1Barcelona14111242142834
2Real Madrid1393128111730
3Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
4Villarreal137422521425
5Osasuna146441922-322
6GironaGirona146352018221
7Mallorca146351312121
8Athletic Bilbao135531913620
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad135351110118
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano134451314-116
14Leganes143561319-614
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179
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