FIFA World Player of the Year, Lionel Messi, may not be fit to play in Barcelona return leg for Champions League quarter-final match against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Messi has sustained the hamstring injury from the first leg match at PSG last week. He did not play for Barcelona in Spain Primera Division during the weekends.
Barcelona playmaker Andres Iniesta is confident that Spanish leaders can beat PSG at Camp Nou even without their La Liga top goal scorer.
According to our odds comparision for Barcelona vs PSG, Bet365 currently has the highest odds for Barcelona to win at 1.40.
With all the respect to Messi, Iniesta recognized there is still sufficient quality in the Barcelona team to carry them to a sixth successive Champions League semi-final.
“Without doubt in this team there is a dependency on Messi in the sense that he is fundamental for us, but we are not wholly reliant on him because we are a team and everyone can score goals,” he told a press conference on Tuesday.
Should Messi not be fit, Cesc Fabregas will start in the false-nine role that he starred in for Spain during last year’s European Championship. The Spaniard scored his first-ever career hat-trick in the 5-0 rout of Mallorca over the weekend.
“I have the luck that Cesc is a very complete player and he interprets the game very well, not just with me, but with the whole team,” said Iniesta.
“He combines very well, he knows where his team-mates are and he moves very well. He has performed at a great level before he came here and now we have the luck to have him here and take advantage of his quality.”
Barca assistant boss Jordi Roura also downplayed fears that Barca could struggle in Messi’s absence and said that a decision on whether he would be fit to play won’t take place until after a light training session on Wednesday morning.
“We still have training today and tomorrow until we reach the hour of the game so we will wait,” Roura said on Tuesday.
“The sensations are good, but we need to wait for the medical tests and then take a decision.
“When the best player in the world isn’t there it is always a handicap, but we believe in the rest of the squad.
“The best way to prepare for the game tomorrow is like we did for the game against Mallorca. Therefore, if Messi cannot be there, the players that cover his position are players of a high level that offer guarantees.”
Roura also hinted that either Adriano or Alex Song could be deployed as a makeshift centre-back to cover for the injured Carles Puyol and Javier Mascherano.
Both the Brazilian and the Cameroonian played at the heart of the defence earlier in the campaign and their experience seems set to be preferred to 22-year-old Marc Bartra, who is a centre-back by trade.
“We have had defensive problems because there are important players out. But at the start of the season the people that played there did well.
“We believe those that play there now will do so as solidly as possible.”
They are the current leading soccer tipsters in this month competition. See also tipsters rankings.
![]() |
eLDonkay
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on Athletico PR vs Cascavel 10 minutes ago |
![]() |
eLDonkay
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on Guarany de Bagé vs Caxias 10 minutes ago |
![]() |
eLDonkay
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on Independiente vs Vélez Sarsfield 10 minutes ago |
![]() |
eLDonkay
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on Ceará vs Confiança 15 minutes ago |
![]() |
eLDonkay
posts a In-Play Over / Under tip on Avenida vs Juventude 15 minutes ago |
![]() |
eLDonkay
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on Mirassol vs Ponte Preta 24 minutes ago |
![]() |
eLDonkay
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on Argentinos Juniors vs Huracán 24 minutes ago |
![]() |
eLDonkay
posts a 1X2 tip on Génesis vs Real Sociedad 24 minutes ago |
![]() |
eLDonkay
posts a 1X2 tip on Independiente Medellín vs Unión Magdalena 24 minutes ago |
![]() |
eLDonkay
posts a 1X2 tip on São Raimundo RR vs Amazonas 24 minutes ago |
Upcoming football matches with excellent head to head records over their opponents.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs who play better for their home games H2H.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs that play well for their away games.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Motivated teams after winning five matches in a row or they have maintained a ten-match unbeaten run. The bookmakers label them as favourites for a reason.
Teams in crisis after five consecutive defeats or they did not win their last ten football matches. You should avoid betting on these underdogs.
Teams having a draw in the last five matches.
Teams that have won all their home matches.
|
Sign in to view more football teams.
Teams that have not lost at home matches.
|
Sign in to view more football teams.
This tipsters ranking is based on single picks excluding doubles and multi accumulators. For the full ranking click here.
Tipsters with consecutive winnings in their recent predictions.
Tipsters whom have lost a few matches in a row. Bad luck you call it.
It makes my analysis of odds sharp, and it also keeps me closer to what is happening in terms of results. What I hope I will benefit is the skill to always makes a profit in gambling
From as little as $1 per soccer tip.
|
Arbitrage is an effective way to make guaranteed profits without losing your money.
Analyze soccer matches, inclusive of past results, head to head stats, today match fixtures, live soccer odds, players and team form.
Check the latest and fastest live score results for all football matches. Know who are the goalscorers, yellow card and red card offenders.
Read up these useful tips for soccer betting.
Get the listings of soccer leagues and competitions for each region, including past seasons results and football statistics.
Want to bet on a match today? Check out the list of today match fixtures.
Read MoreGet the match results for all the soccer matches around the globe. Inclusive of half-time, full-time results.
Read MoreAre you an expert in soccer betting? Join SoccerPunter Tipsters competition to challenge against the top football tipsters and win prizes!
Read MoreCopyright © 2002-2025 SoccerPunter Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.
Be the first to comment: