Messi: all his matches against Pep Guardiola 0:48
(Reuters) -
Lionel Messi could play in the Champions League game between Paris Saint Germain and Manchester City on Tuesday after taking part in a training session.
The Argentine forward missed two Ligue 1 games with a knee concussion, but appeared to have no problems with the injury on Monday morning.
"We will confirm the starting eleven tomorrow (Tuesday)," coach Mauricio Pochettino said at a press conference when asked about Messi before the Group A clash at the Parc des Princes.
Messi and Guardiola face again in the Champions 1:50
"But I think he will be on the squad tomorrow."
Pochettino added that Messi, who came to the French club on a two-year contract from Barcelona, will need time to adjust in Paris.
"He spent 20 years in Barcelona, it is normal for him to feel at home there and here, everything is new for him. Not long ago he arrived," said the Argentine.
Pochettino also confirmed the likely involvement of Marco Verratti, after the Italian midfielder missed four games with a knee injury.
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"He has trained well the last few days and we believe that he will be able to be in the squad. We have not decided on the starting eleven, but he could be there," he said.
PSG was eliminated in the semifinals of the Champions League last season by City, a club that is "ahead" of the capital's side, Pochettino acknowledged.
"It is a fact, not an opinion, that we are a team under construction. City have been under the best coach in the world in my opinion with Pep Guardiola," he said.
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"It is a question of time, but also, let's face it, of investment."
In that department, PSG has nothing to envy City after spending well over a billion euros on transfers since Qatar Sport Investment took over the club in 2011.
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On the field, they need to be more efficient, said midfielder Ander Herrera.
"Little by little we work, we try to get better every day and I think we are being more effective than last season," said the Spaniard at a press conference, who has been in good shape this season.
"Against City, we have to score every chance we get."
PSG have one point after their draw at Club Brugge (1-1), two less than City, which thrashed RB Leipzig (6-3) on the first matchday.
New day in Champions League
These are all the matches of the second day of the Champions League, which will be played this Tuesday and Wednesday:
TUESDAY
Ajax vs Beşiktaş (12:45 ET)
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Internazionale (12:45 ET)
Borussia Dortmund vs Sporting CP (15:00 ET)
PSG vs Manchester City (15:00 ET)
RB Leipzig vs Club Brugge (15:00 ET)
Real Madrid vs Sheriff (15:00 ET)
Porto vs Liverpool (15:00 ET)
Milan vs Atlético Madrid (15:00 ET)
WEDNESDAY
Atalanta vs Young Boys (12:45 ET)
Zenit vs Malmö FF (12:45 ET)
Bayern München vs Dynamo Kyiv (15:00 ET)
Benfica vs Barcelona (15:00 ET)
Manchester United vs Villarreal (15:00 ET)
Salzburg vs Lille (15:00 ET)
Wolfsburg vs Sevilla (15:00 ET)
Juventus vs Chelsea (15:00 ET)
Champions LeagueLionel MessiPSG
