At 2:45 p.m. in Celtic Park, Scotland, Celtic (0-1) is set to face off against Barcelona (1-0) in Group H, UEFA Champions League play. Live stream the match here.
Celtic figures to be a heavy underdog when they take the pitch to face off with Barca this afternoon, but Barcelona coach Cesc Fabregas thinks his team is in for a rough time without Lionel Messi.
Messi injured his hip in a 2-0 victory Sunday over Almeria. "It is a test because we always want him in our team," Fabregas said. "Obviously Lionel is the best player in the world, I don't even have to say that and you obviously will miss a player of his talent and dedication. We rely on him a lot. He is the best player, the one that scores more goals, the one that does the offensives tasks. He is always there for us, he gives assists, he is the best."
Fabregas continued raving about his star, saying, "He can win a game at any moment so we are sad for that but you cannot feel sorry for yourselves because you are missing a great player."
Fabregas went on to mention several players who will be required to raise their game in Messi's absence. "When he is not there we have to adapt the situation and players like Neymar, myself if I play, Alexis Sanchez, Cristian Tello, Pedro Rodriguez; we have to step up and do the job that a striker is made for which is scoring goals and giving assists."
Fabregas singled out Neymar, one of the highest-profile transfers in the world, as a player who is capable of filling the void. "He is a very talented player, very quick and has the skills to get away from you easily. He is already a star but this boy will have a lot to say in the future of football. It is up to him. Everything is in his hands."
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