Lionel Messi to face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus in Champions League, confirms Ronald Koeman
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ByEurosport
Updated 07/12/2020 at 14:24 GMT
Ronald Koeman has confirmed that Lionel Messi will play in Barcelona’s Champions League fixture with Juventus, pitting the Argentine superstar against old foe Cristiano Ronaldo. Koeman’s side welcome Juventus to the Camp Nou on Tuesday with both sides having already qualified for the last 16 of the competition.
Koeman confirms Messi-Ronaldo showdown
Image credit: Getty Images
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are set to resume their on-pitch rivalry in the Champions League on Tuesday after Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman confirmed that the Argentine playmaker would feature in the tie.
Both sides have qualified for the last-16 ahead of Juventus’ trip to the Camp Nou, but it will be a rivalry renewed after Koeman confirmed that Messi - who has been rested during Barcelona’s group-stage campaign - will feature.
It means that the pair will face-off for the first time since Ronaldo departed Real Madrid in 2018, after the Portuguese missed the reverse tie in Turin after returning a positive Covid-19 test.
Koeman, who has endured a wobbly start to his tenure as Barcelona coach, would not be drawn on who was the better player.
“Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been the best players in the last 15 years," said Koeman.
It's incredible what they have achieved. It's not fair to have to pick one or the other, I admire both.
Barcelona have won all five of their Champions League fixtures but Juve can leapfrog the Catalans to win the group if they win by three or more goals.
Koeman has made another complaint about the packed football calendar, which he says is seriously harming players and will lead to more injuries.
The Juventus game comes just 72 hours after losing 2-1 at Cadiz which dealt another blow to their La Liga title hopes.
Koeman has already lost three key players to long-term injuries this season and now must cope without French winger Ousmane Dembele, who strained a hamstring in the Cadiz match.
"We are killing our players with these schedules," Koeman said.
"It's a real shame to lose another player to an injury and it's another reason why I keep complaining about the match schedules, we are going to lose many more players to injuries."
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