CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Messi out to create panic in Paris

With Lionel Messi as protagonist, Barcelona will be hoping to make further inroads in the Champions League knowing that a win at the Parc de Princes in the first leg of their last-16 encounter would hand the Catalans a significant advantage in the tie. Indeed, Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery has struggled to stop the mercurial Argentine in the past, with the former
Sevilla tactician having only beaten Barcelona once in 22 matches.
Incidentally, Messi missed that particular match due to an injury.
Furthermore, the 29-year-old has been at this lethal best in the competition this season having notched 10 times already to lead the top-scorer charts by four strikes.
But with the Catalans in a precarious position in LaLiga, success in the Champions League has become even more important and Luis Enrique's men know that an away win in Paris could prove to be desperately important in the long-run.

Barcelona head into the clash with resounding confidence off the back of a 6-0 thrashing against Alaves, and whilst it wasn't their most dominant performance, it served as a reminder of their effectiveness in front of goal.
Messi, in particular, has been in fine touch in recent fixtures, having scored in 22 consecutive matches away from home.
The last time the former Ballon d'Or winner failed to do so was back on April 13 last year when Barcelona were eliminated from the Champions League by Atletico Madrid after losing 2-0 at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.
Given the club's inconsistent performances of late, all eyes will undoubtedly be on Messi once again as he hopes to lead the club to yet another victory in Paris.