BARCELONA PLAY GLADBACK WITHOUT MESSI

The Spanish giants would face their German opposition without their superstar Lionel Messi when both sides meet in the UEFA Champions League.


The La Liga champions will travel to Borussia Moenchengladbach on Wednesday without Messi. Barca is hoping their other stars in Luis Suarez, Neymar and others would seal the game without the Argentine.

Messi has been sidelined for three weeks due to a groin injury he picked up. The Group C affair is an important game as Barcelona would want to top the group. They were on fire when they knocked five goals past Sporting Gijon even in the absence of Messi in the La Liga. After their 7-0 huge victory over Scottish side Celtic, they would want to maintain their perfect record ahead of their clash with the group archrivals Manchester City – led by former coach Pep Guardiola.

“I have different kinds of players and that gives me a lot of options. Depending on who we are playing and the players I have available, I will pick the ones that I think are right for the situation,” Luis Enrique said after resting several players like Jordi Alba, Javier Mascherano, Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta ahead of the game against the Germans.

“To lose Messi means that football loses. With Messi we are stronger, but we will continue being strong,” Enrique added.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen would definitely relish meeting his former club when both sides meet.

“Borussia are my old love and that will remain so but I identify with Barca 100 percent and on the pitch there is only one club for me,” Ter Stegen claimed, declaring his loyalty for the Catalan giant ahead of the match.

Gladbach enjoy a 11-match winning streak at home, in all competitions. Barca will face a huge test coming into the game, especially as they want a perfect record.