Barcelona assistant boss Jordi Roura says the likely absence of star man Lionel Messi won’t lead to their elimination from the UEFA Champions League after a 2-2 draw away to Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital on Tuesday.
The Argentine attacker opened the scoring before being replaced at the break with a hamstring injury.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic levelled on 79 minutes, before Xavi Hernandez converted an 89th minute penalty to restore Barca’s lead. But Blaise Matuidi would equalise four minutes into stoppage-time.
However, Messi’s injury left Barcelona with an issue ahead of the second leg.
“If neither Messi nor Mascherano can play the return leg it will be a very big blow for us, but we will try to take advantage of the big squad we have,” Roura said.
“We knew beforehand about the potential that PSG have, so we were not surprised by them. They are a very direct and physical team.
“While knowing how hard the second leg will be, we are capable of winning at our ground and getting through this tie.”
Meanwhile, PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti said Messi’s potential absence wouldn’t affect their approach.
“If Messi is out for the second leg, it won’t change our approach much. We must go to Barcelona and score,” he said.
“But tonight my team managed that and that was pleasing. We just didn’t manage to keep it tight at the other end.”