Fit-again Messi to inspire Barcelona
Leo expected to play vital role versus Roma tonight
Barcelona – Lionel Messi is expected back for tonight’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Roma, and for Barcelona, his return couldn’t have come soon enough.
Messi’s latest rescue-act on Saturday, when he came off the bench to inspire a remarkable fightback against Sevilla, has regurgitated the question of Barca’s dependency on their number 10.
It is difficult to quantify Messi’s brilliance. He would be missed by any team in the world, not least Argentina, who were thrashed 6-1 by Spain last week with the injured forward watching on from the stands.
But for Barca coach Ernesto Valverde, there is an urgency to the issue because if Messi is not at his blistering best, perhaps feels his hamstring ache, or is somehow contained by Roma’s defence, his side must find another way through.
“We’re up against the very best in Messi,” Roma forward Stephan El Shaarawy said. “Every time he gets on the ball, he can make something happen. That’s why we’ll have to try to act accordingly and restrict his influence as much as possible.”
In the Copa del Rey, Messi was rested for the last 16 first leg against Celta Vigo, a 1-1 draw, then played in the second, hitting two goals in a 5-0 win.
“No, we are not worried about it,” Valverde said, when asked on Saturday about an over-reliance on Messi.
“With or without Messi all the matches are different, it’s just how it is. What can we do?” Valverde replied.
That Messi has a transformative effect is nothing new, but perhaps this Barcelona side is more reliant on their star striker than previous ones.
The defensive spine of MarcAndre ter Stegen, Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti and Sergio Busquets is strong, but in wide and attacking areas, only Luis Suarez would have a claim to making most Barcelona teams of the last 10 years.
Roma hope to have their own midfield enforcer available too, with Radja Nainggolan going off injured against Bologna on Saturday.
The initial expectation was Nainggolan would miss the match at the Nou Camp but he also trained on Monday. –