Eusebio Di Francesco has dismissed any lingering questions over Lionel Messi’s fitness and wants Roma to restrict him again in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona.
Messi missed Argentina’s two friendlies last month with a hamstring injury and was only a substitute in Barca’s 2-2 draw against Sevilla on March 31, but he was back in the starting line-up for the 4-1 victory over Roma atA-old was not among the goals in the first leg but hit a hat-trick in a 3-1 win against Leganes on Saturday, Ernesto Valverde opting against resting the superstar.
Di Francesco felt Messi’s latest display proves how effective Roma were in keeping him quiet and wants a repeat at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday.
“Everyone was saying he wasn’t fit and suddenly he scored a hat-trick,” the Roma coach told a pre-match news conference.
“This means…
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