CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: BATE Borisov v Barcelona, Venue: City Stadium Kick-off: 7.45 On TV: Setanta Sports 1, Sky Sports 4:WITH TWO hat-tricks in his last three games, Lionel Messi looks primed to lead defending champion Barcelona to their first win of this Champions League campaign at BATE Borisov in Group H tonight.
Messi has scored a Spanish league best eight goals this season, but his team will need to avoid repeating the defensive mistakes that led to a 2-2 draw against Milan in their European opener.
Messi (24), can climb to second place on the club’s all-time scoring list with another hat-trick. He is only two goals away from matching Ladislau Kubala’s total of 194. Barcelona’s top scorer is Cesar Rodriguez, who scored 235 goals from 1942-55. If Messi keeps scoring at the same rate he did last season, he could pass that mark before this campaign is over.
“He is doing incredible things. Each day he surprises everyone with a new record, he continually outdoes himself,” Barcelona striker David Villa said. “Nobody can compare with him.”
Villa said even after winning two European titles in three years his team are still hungry to repeat. “This team knows its potential and that we can reach our goals, but we are also aware this has just begun,” he said.
Messi will likely try to continue his productive partnership with former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, who had scored in four straight games until the crossbar denied him during their 5-0 rout of Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
BATE coach Viktor Goncharenko says even without the injured Andres Iniesta, Alexis Sanchez and Ibrahim Afellay, Barcelona have more than enough talent to make up for their absence. “Iniesta is a top notch player, but his position can be occupied by a great number of players, for example, Thiago (Alcantara) and Cesc Fabregas,” the 34-year-old said.
BATE have won their last five Belarusian league titles. Goncharenko said his BATE side and fellow minnow Viktoria shouldn’t be content with just fighting for a chance to move on to the Europa League by finishing third in the group. “BATE and Viktoria have been given the role of fighting it out for third place,” Goncharenko said. “But why can’t we aspire to more? In football, motivation is very important.”
Serbian striker Mateja Kezman, who played for Atletico and Chelsea, will spearhead BATE’s attack.
AC Milan host Viktoria Plzen in the other group match. With Brazil forwards Alexandre Pato and Robinho unavailable, Milan are hoping Zlatan Ibrahimovic can return from a leg injury against competition newcomer Viktoria, who drew 1-1 with BATE two weeks ago.
Milan come into the game at the San Siro following their first win of the Italian league season, a 1-0 victory over Cesena courtesy of midfielder Clarence Seedorf’s early goal. Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri appeared optimistic Ibrahimovic will play.
“If he’s okay he’ll play from the start,” he said.
If Ibrahimovic can’t make it in time, Milan will be left with only forward Antonio Cassano in attack.
