Lionel Messi believes that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) can use the emotions from their recent matches to overturn their Champions League deficit against Bayern Munich. PSG are currently a goal down to the German giants after Kingsley Coman scored the only goal of their first-leg tie at the Parc des Princes.
Ahead of their trip to the Allianz Arena, live on talkSPORT, PSG would need to do something that no side has managed to do to Bayern this term – beat them at home. However, their task has been made a whole lot harder as Neymar has an ankle injury which has ruled him out for the rest of the season.
But PSG have returned to form since then, particularly Messi, in crucial league matches against Lille and Marseille. Against Lille, the World Cup winner scored a last-minute winner in a frantic 4-3 victory before grabbing another in a 3-0 win over rivals Marseille.
These games are often charged events in the stands and Messi was asked if the emotions running high in such matches could aid preparations ahead of the second leg against the German giants. The 35-year-old said: “Without a doubt. Without a doubt, yes. It is important to come into this game this way. Before [the first leg], we were not in the best form.”
However, Messi is predicting the clash in Germany to be ‘difficult’ and ‘tight’. “But I think we have two important victories to reinforce the idea and the team as we go to Munich, where it will be a difficult and tight match. The first one was decided by small details and it is very tough to win in that stadium but I think we are well prepared and we are capable of turning it around.
“I feel very good. I think the team in general has changed in the last few matches. We have a different face and the victories obviously help us to work with peace of mind, with a different dynamic, being happier too, which is good when it comes to work. There is great hope of being able to continue our journey in the Champions League. And we will continue to try to do so.”