PSG Still Dangerous Without Lionel Messi Admits Benfica Manager Ahead of Champions League Reverse Fixture

• Benfica’s manager Roger Schmidt has admitted Paris Saint-Germain are still a strong team despite the absence of Lionel Messi in the squad
• Lionel Messi is set to miss the UCL Matchday 4 tie against the Portugal giants on Tuesday, October 11, after suffering a calf injury in the first leg last week
• PSG will hope to get their third win in four games in Group H when the Parisians host Benfica at the Parc des Princes with Messi absent

Lionel Messi is set to miss Paris Saint-Germain’s reverse Champions League fixture against Benfica on Tuesday, October 11, although Roger Schmidt admits the Parisians can cope without him.

Messi, who scored a stunning goal in the first leg, picked up a calf injury and will be forced to sit out the return leg as PSG try to consolidate their place at the top of Group H.

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Benfica manager, Roger Schmidt has now revealed PSG has enough firepower in the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Brazilian superstar Neymar to be bothered about Messi’s absence, PSG Talk reports.

“But even with his absence, there are other PSG players who are performing well and we will have to find a solution against them. I think the Parisians will find a way to make up for Lionel Messi’s absence.”

2018 World Cup winner, Kylian Mbappe is expected to lead the Parisian’s attack alongside Neymar as PSG hopes to book a round of 16 ticket with a win against Benfica.

Messi hopes to recover in time ahead of World Cup

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi has been ruled out of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League tie against Benfica after picking up a calf injury in the first leg in Portugal last week.

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According to the Daily Mirror, Messi is hoping to be fully fit when the 2022 World Cup kicks off in November after missing PSG’s last league game last weekend against Reims.

Messi is hoping to win his first World Cup trophy, in what the Paris Saint-Germain forward has confirmed will be his last at the global football showpiece happening in Qatar.

Dudek launches scathing attack on Leo Messi and Barcelona

Earlier, Sports Brief reported ex-Real Madrid shot-stopper Jerzy Dudek has made controversial claims about Lionel Messi and Barcelona, a few days before the first instalment of El Clasico.

Dudek, who spent four seasons with Los Blancos, labelled the now-Paris Saint-Germain forward as a 'provocative' character.

The retired Poland international intimated that Leo Messi's calm appearance is in sharp contrast with the words that come out of his mouth.