The 50-year-old is hoping that the Argentina
international picks up where he left off and helps the Blaugrana through a
pivotal stage of the season.
Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino says he expects the best
from Lionel Messi as the forward returns in time to take on AC Milan and Real
Madrid this week.
The Argentina international came on as a second-half
substitute in the Blaugrana’s 0-0 draw with Osasuna on Saturday after missing
the previous two games with a hamstring problem.
And Martino is confident that the No.10 will pick up
where he left off in his first start since September against Milan on Tuesday.
"Everyone wants the best from Messi when he’s out on
the pitch," he told reporters.
"He has made us expect it from him. It’s something
we’ve grown used to since he made his debut in the top flight.
"Messi is fine and once he gets the clearance from
the medical team, he runs the same risks as any other player."
Barcelona are looking to extend their perfect start in
the Champions League to three wins out of three in Milan but Martino is wary of
the threat posed by the Rossoneri.
"I’m sure that tomorrow, the players will think
exactly as they did last season - that Milan is a side with a great tradition
and shouldn’t be underestimated," he reasoned.
"This match isn’t a just a formality for us. We’re
going into the game on the back of a good performance in a match which,
although we didn’t win, allowed us to go top of the table. We’re in good form
and we’re happy.
"I think we just need to focus strictly on what we
do - give Milan few chances to hit us on the break and try to dominate
possession.
"Reducing their options of hitting us on the
counterattack is the key because that is where they are at their most
dangerous."
Culled from Goal
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