Lionel Messi to start in Barcelona clash with Borussia Monchengladbach – to beat Cristiano Ronaldo’s Champions League group stage goals record
Luis Enrique's lack of faith in squad evident as he fails to make all three changes in ten games — but shows priorities here
LIONEL MESSI will start for Barcelona tonight just so he has the chance to beat Cristiano Ronaldo’s all-time Champions League group stage goals record.
The La Liga holders are guaranteed top spot in Group C, with opponents Borussia Monchengladbach certainties to finish their campaign in third.
It is a remarkable show of just how competitive the world’s two best players are with one another — and what the prestigious club’s priorities are.
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Ronaldo hit 11 of Real Madrid’s 19 as romped to 16 points in last season’s group stage.
Messi is currently on nine, but is determined to outdo his rival with the potential of a hat-trick in a game the Catalans will be expected to win comfortably.
Barcelona have been in poor form with only two wins in their last seven matches — and netted just eight goals.
Luis Enrique has not made all three substitutions allowed to him for three games, which shows he has little faith in his squad.
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Surely, a dead rubber in the Champions League, at the Nou Camp would be a great chance for the likes of Andre Gomes and Paco Alcacer to build up their confidence.
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While Neymar — who has not scored for two months — will miss the clash after picking up his third booking against Celtic, this seems the perfect opportunity to play a side made up largely of a second string.
Alcacer and Arda Turan starting in attack could have seen either bag a confidence-boosting goal and help ease the burden on the world class attacking trio.
However, Messi’s determination to become the highest goal scorer in a single Champions League group stage must take precedent.