Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Barcelona team news: Predicted Barcelona line up vs Inter – Lionel Messi injury update
LIONEL MESSI is available for Barcelona's Champions League clash with Inter Milan at the San Siro tonight (8pm).
Barcelona stars travel to Milan for Inter Champions League clash
Barcelona have been handed a huge injury boost ahead of their Champions League meeting with Inter Milan tonight.
Lionel Messi has travelled with the squad to Italy despite fracturing his arm just two weeks ago and could feature against Luciano Spalletti’s side,
However, Messi has not yet been given the medical all-clear and Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde is unlikely to take too many risks with the Argentinian.
Speaking on Monday, Valverde said: “Leo is at the point where he might be available, but we have to wait for the training session.”
“We have to see if he’s safe to play. In terms of his play and his movements, he’s fine.
“It’s always better if he’s there. Of course it’s necessary to get Messi back as soon as possible.
“There are three or four possibilities. One is that he plays from the start, or he comes on, or he goes off. What we won’t do is take any risks.”
Barcelona have been in superb form without their talismanic, forward, winning all five matches Messi has missed including the 5-1 thumping of Real Madrid in El Clasico.
Valverde’s side are currently top of Champions League Group B with a perfect record of three wins from three matches and can secure qualification tonight.
A point will be enough to book their spot in the next round while victory will secure first place and a more favourable draw ahead of the knockout stages.
If Messi is not selected to start against Inter, Brazilian ace Rafinha is most likely to take his spot as part of a front three.
The versatile midfielder has been preferred to Ousmane Dembele and Malcom alongside Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho in recent weeks.
Elsewhere, Samuel Umtiti is nearing a return to full fitness but has not travelled so Clement Lenglet will continue at centre-back.
Thomas Vermaelen and Sergi Samper are also injured but would not have featured against Inter had they been fit.
Barcelona predicted line up vs Inter Milan
(4-3-3 Ter Stegen; Roberto, Lenglet, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Arthur; Rafinha, Coutinho, Suarez