Lionel Messi to play against Rubin Kazan in Champions League
Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has tentatively penciled in Lionel Messi's name for their Champions League encounter against Rubin Kazan in Russia on Wednesday night.
The superstar striker from Argentina attended a training session in Kazan, but has not been given the official green light to play from team doctors, and he will have to pass a fitness test on his injured right ankle if he hopes to be included in the official
lineup.
When Messi sprained both the internal and external ligaments of his ankle, and was stretchered off after being tackled by Atletico Madrid defender Tomas Ujfalusi on September 20, it was originally thought that Messi would have no chance of competing in Wednesday
night's Champions League fixture. His early return would prove to be a huge lift for Barcelona, who will be looking to avenge a 2-1 defeat to Rubin Kazan in last year's Champions League.
Although having Messi in the lineup would be preferred, the Barcelona coaching staff is not about to do something foolish like put a player like Messi into a match when he is not fully fit, and risk further injury. As Barca assistant coach, Tito Vilanova,
pointed out, Messi has been advised to be cautious with the injury, as any further aggravation could have serious consequences.
Despite the shock result in Russia last season, there is the belief within the Barcelona camp that being caught off guard, as they were then, is highly unlikely and they might feel they don't need Messi's services in order to steal the three points.
Messi was impressive in Barcelona's match day one fixture against Greek side Panathinaikos, where he scored two goals leading Barcelona on their way to an impressive 5-1 victory and to the top of group D.
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