Messi back at the double after illness to sicken Celtic

In the end, Arsenal held PSG to a 2-2 draw, but those two goals means the team from Paris have a better head-to-head record, which in turn means all they need to do is match Arsenal’s result on the final matchday to go through as group winners.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said his players had made a “significant improvement” despite a 2-0 home defeat by Barcelona ending their involvement in European competition for the season.

Jose Callejon ($7,900): Napoli are one of few teams heavily favored this slate, and it’s vital to have some exposure to those games.

Lionel Messi bagged a brace as he returned to the Barcelona line-up to help them book their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a comfortable 2-0 win over Celtic on Wednesday. “At the time of course, I said it was very disappointing but it hasn’t harmed us, if anything, it has only improved us a group and as a squad”, he reflected on the previous encounter.

With the home atmosphere well and truly giving them a little push forward, Celtic started the high-tempo game well, Scott Sinclair unfortunate to be stopped by the offside flag as he burst through on goal early on.

Barca romped to a 7-0 win over Celtic in their opening Group C encounter, but Luis Enrique expects a match more like their previous visit to Britain before the worldwide break – a 3-1 loss at former boss Pep Guardiola’s City.

‘The first goal I was disappointed with but the quality and speed of movement catches us out, but that’s the level.

“We have to play how we’re best playing, which is really aggressive and on the front foot, having the tactical plan in order to be really aggressive in the game”. The next year, it took a 76th-minute Cesc Fabregas header to claim a 1-0 victory.

And then, in the 55th minute, the game was over.

“Unfortunately I missed “You’ll Never Walk Alone” before the game, but it’s not so bad because I’ve been here before as a spectator. The important thing is that we get as many titles as possible”. It is just about maintaining that standard. They were the heavy favorites to advance, so it’s nothing surprising at all, but the results on Wednesday mean Barcelona wins Group C. With City finishing second, that’s a tough matchup for one other group victor (more below). “I think we’ve learned a lot and hopefully now we’re going in with a positive mindset”.

Samuel Marsden covers Barcelona for ESPN FC.