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Champions League | Round of 16
Mar 14, 2018 at 7.45pm UK
 
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3-0

Messi (3', 63'), Dembele (20')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets: 'Lionel Messi will be extra motivated'

Busquets: 'Messi will be extra motivated'
© Offside
Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets says that Lionel Messi will be "even more motivated" to score against Chelsea after the birth of his child at the weekend.

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets has revealed that he expects a high-quality performance from Lionel Messi against Chelsea.

At the weekend, Messi was forced to withdraw from the squad to face Malaga due to the birth of his child, but the Argentine will return for the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie at Camp Nou.

Rather than being distracted by life off the pitch, Busquets has predicted that Messi will be "even more motivated" to get on the scoresheet against the Premier League side.

At a press conference, the 29-year-old told reporters: "I think that he is going to be okay and even more motivated.

"Physically he is going to be great and be more relaxed. I hope he is going to be perfect and play like he usually plays."

Last month's first leg at Stamford Bridge ended in a 1-1 draw.

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Sergio Busquets in action for Barcelona in October 2016
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33Sturm Graz40040
34Young Boys40040
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36Slovan Bratislava40040


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