Mauricio Pochettino has backed Lionel Messi to come alive against Real Madrid in Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 first leg regardless of an underwhelming home marketing campaign.
Messi has scored solely two targets in Ligue 1 since his shock transfer to PSG final August after being pressured to go away Barcelona after 21 years as the Catalans may not afford his wage. He scored 30 targets in his remaining LaLiga marketing campaign.
But he has fared a lot better in the Champions League for PSG, scoring 5 occasions in 5 group video games, together with a beautiful strike in a 2-0 dwelling win over Manchester City.
Messi often upped his recreation against Real Madrid when taking part in for Barcelona, scoring 26 targets in 45 conferences with Barca’s greatest rivals, making him the all-time prime scorer in ‘El Clasico’.
And Pochettino is for certain the seven-times Ballon d’Or winner will rise to the event when Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect go to the Parc des Princes.
”Messi is in good condition and actually trying ahead to the recreation. In matches like this, his expertise is essential and he can play a basic function in transmitting that to his teammates,” Pochettino advised a information convention.
”We don’t want to gear ourselves up for this recreation as a result of everyone seems to be already extremely motivated and massively enthusiastic about taking part in tomorrow and serving to the crew in any approach attainable.”
Pochettino confirmed that former Real captain Sergio Ramos is the solely PSG participant from his squad who will likely be lacking for the match after Neymar returned to coaching on Monday for the first time after injuring his ankle in November.
Pochettino paid tribute to the may of Real and mentioned his aspect, who’ve by no means gained the Champions League, have been very a lot the contenders against the 13-times European champions.
”We have a lot respect for Real Madrid as one in all the finest groups in the world. You don’t win 13 European Cups thanks to your coaches, that’s down to the total power of the membership,” the Argentine coach mentioned.
”We are the challengers, lots of effort has gone into constructing a squad to obtain our dream however we’re nonetheless the challengers and Real Madrid are the ones who’ve a behavior of successful the Champions League.
”But we don’t really feel like victims, I consider in my crew, in my membership, and in our followers, who will give us lots of vitality.”
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