Barcelona relies on Messi against Stuttgart

BARCELONA: Barcelona will be relying on Lionel Messi's impressive scoring form against Stuttgart on Wednesday in the second leg of the Champions League knockout round.

Barcelona earned a 1-1 draw in the first leg three weeks ago. But the European champion has sputtered lately and has had to rely on Messi, who has scored its last six league goals.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic hasn't scored since the match against Stuttgart, while Thierry Henry has only three goals this season as the France striker has fallen out of favour with coach Pep Guardiola. Messi has scored 29 goals in all competitions.

“He's the best in the world. What he brings with his talent puts him above,” said goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who has also stood out while Barcelona's strikers haven't been able to find the net. “Messi can become the best player in history.”

Henry's impressive display in Sunday's 3-0 win over Valencia does provide some relief inside Barcelona's locker room.

“When Henry is motivated, he brings a lot to the team,” assistant coach Tito Vilanova was quoted as saying by sports daily Sport.

Impressive record

Barcelona has beaten the German opponent eight straight times at the Camp Nou, and has won 15 times after an away-leg draw. Stuttgart has never gone past this phase of the competition, and lost 3-1 on its previous visit to Barcelona in 2007.

Barcelona does not often take competitors lightly, especially after a home loss to Russian club Rubin Kazan earlier this season.

“If you're not at 200 percent, you'll go out,” Barcelona defender Daniel Alves said. “We need to charge our batteries and be ready. We can't miss this chance.”

Messi will likely have full support, too, as only captain Carles Puyol remains questionable after missing Sunday's 3-0 win over Valencia with back pain. Midfielder Seydou Keita remains sidelined by a leg injury.

Bayern Munich was the last German club to win at the Camp Nou, in 1998. — AP