Barcelona Include Messi In Squad For Dortmund Tie
Lionel Messi has been included in Barcelona’s squad for their UEFA Champions League opener away to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
Messi has not played in any of the Spanish champions’ four La Liga games so far this season after suffering a calf injury in pre-season.
Barcelona have had a mixed start to the season without their captain as they sit fifth on the league table with a record of two wins, one draw and one loss.
Messi resumed full training on Sunday and manager Ernesto Valverde has now included him in Tuesday’s matchday squad, although it remains to be seen if he will be ready to start.
Luis Suarez, who also missed the start of the season due to fitness issues, is also included in the squad after scoring twice in the 5-2 win over Valencia at the weekend.
Also included in the squad is 16-year-old Anssumane Fati, who has been the main beneficiary of Messi and Suarez’s absence.
Fati lit up the Camp Nou on Saturday as he opened the scores and laid on an assist for Frenkie de Jong in an impressive display.
Goalkeeper Neto, who joined from Valencia in the summer, has overcome a wrist injury and is part of the travelling party.
Barcelona have not won the Champions League since 2015, and will be hoping to right the wrongs of last season, where they threw away a healthy three-goal advantage in the semi-finals against Liverpool to lose 4-3 on aggregate.
