|
|
Barcelona Coach Pep Guardiola Reveals Lionel Messi May Feature Against Rubin Kazan
Guardiola could unleash Messi upon Rubin Kazan if things don’t go their way…
29-Sep-2010 1:47:00 AM
By Subhankar Mondal
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has stated that star player Lionel Messi could make an appearance against Rubin Kazan on Wednesday evening if necessary.
The Argentina international has been named in the Blaugrana squad for the clash in Kazan despite not having fully recovered match fitness and Guardiola admits that the Ballon d’Or winner could play if the need arises.
“We have to listen to what the doctors say regarding Lionel Messi and to the player himself,” the Barca coach is quoted as saying by Uefa.com. “The match is very important and if there is a chance of him playing he will.”
Guardiola also expressed his respect for the Russian champions and admitted that although they have lost two key players from last year, the Tatars still have some talent in their ranks.
“Since last year Rubin have lost their two key players, Sergei Semak and Aleksandr Bukharov, but they are still playing well. We should also note that some good, expensive players have joined them.
“In Copenhagen two weeks ago they attacked, but on Wednesday I think they will play more defensively.
“We learned Rubin are a great team after playing them last year; they are excellent in defence. To beat them our passing will need to be very sharp and we will have to take our chances, otherwise it's possible we won't win again.”
Follow the Champions League LIVE on Goal.com! Commentary, stats, player ratings, and much more. Visit Goal.com Live Scores!
Our 
provides the best breaking news online and our 
football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!
Inside Goal.Com
-
Vote for your Goal.com World Player of the Week
Have your say on who you think should win Goal.com's weekly honour
-
Euro 2012 a timely respite for depressed Spain
With 24 per cent unemployment, wage cuts and little hope for improvement in the short term, the continental competition will at least take people's minds off their sad situation
-
Welbeck impresses but it's a bad day for Johnson
Ashley Young has also all but secured his place in the starting line up against France while Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Here's how the Belgium friendly affected the England player's chances of featuring in Euro 2012
-
Five players Rodgers could sign for Liverpool
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Lambert the latest in EPL manager merry-go-round
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday