BARCELONA — Lionel Messi has gone from being the first name on Barcelona’s team sheet to the last, as they await a late fitness test ahead of today’s Champions League quarter-final second leg at home to PSG.
Report by Reuters
The World Player of the Year is recovering from a hamstring strain picked up in Paris last week when he scored in the 2-2 first-leg draw, though Barça proved they could survive without him by thrashing Real Mallorca 5-0 in La Liga on Saturday.
Despite fielding a weakened side, the leaders ran riot at the Nou Camp with a hat-trick from Cesc Fabregas and two from Alexis Sanchez, but PSG are a tougher proposition than La Liga’s basement side.
Favourites Barça are chasing a fourth Champions League crown in eight seasons and leading marksman Messi usually provides the cutting edge on the big stage by setting up and scoring goals.
His mere presence provides a psychological lift to his side and a big headache for opponents.
The Argentine did some fitness work on Sunday and Spanish media reported he was one of a group of players who turned up to work on Monday despite the squad having been given the day off.
With La Liga all but in the bag, as BarÇa lead second-placed Real Madrid by 13 points with eight games left, coach Tito Vilanova may be inclined to risk his prize asset against PSG.
