By Subhankar Mondal
6 Mar 2011 12:07:00
Liga BBVA: Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona), Ivan Obradovic (Real Zaragoza)
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Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is confident the La Liga giants will progress past Arsenal in the Champions League last 16 second leg on Tuesday, adding that the job will be “far easier” if Cesc Fabregas fails to recover from injury in time to feature.
The Gunners skipper is a doubt for the clash after picking up a hamstring injury against Stoke City two weeks’ ago although has admitted he is optimistic of returning in time for the trip to Spain.
The Spanish champions suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Gunners at the Emirates in the first leg last month although Messi is convinced it will be a “different story” at the Nou Camp.
“We remain confident of progressing,” said the 23-year-old, according to the Daily Mirror.Â
“Obviously we were bitterly disappointed to lose the first leg at the ÂEmirates and felt we created more than enough chances to win the game.
“But it will be a different story in Spain. I’m not sure Arsenal are a side who can play to defend – and that will leave them very open.
“It will be a devastating blow if he [Fabregas] doesn’t play for Arsenal.
“He’s a big threat and so influential for them. If he failed to play it would make our job far easier.”
A 1-0 win will be enough for Barca to progress to the quarter-finals on the away goals rule but Messi says that defending a one-goal lead is not part of their game plan.
“We’re incapable of doing that [of scoring early and then defending the lead]. It’s not the way we play football. If we score once we look to score more goals regardless of the situation,” he added.
“We are a side that will always create chances. It’s important for us to be clinical and ruthless in front of goal with so much at stake.
“Our elimination at the hands of Inter Milan last season has served to motivate us even more We have not considered the prospect of elimination even after the first leg defeat against ÂArsenal.”
