Champions League: Messi returns as Barcelona eye last-16

Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic trains at the Sports Center FC Barcelona in Sant Joan Despi on Monday, the eve of their Champions League Group E match against AS Roma. — AFP

Barcelona and Bayern Munich look to clinch places in the last 16, while Arsenal and Chelsea face vital encounters in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Fresh off Saturday’s 4-0 mauling of arch-rivals Real Madrid, Barcelona can wrap up top spot in Group E by avoiding defeat at the Camp Nou against Roma. Not only did Barca move four points clear at the top of La Liga but they also welcomed back Argentine star Lionel Messi, who came on as a second-half substitute, following a two-month injury lay-off.

Roma, firmly in the Serie A title hunt despite Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Bologna, can take confidence from the two sides’ 1-1 draw in Italy back in September, but Rudi Garcia’s men haven’t won a Champions League away game since 2010 and will also be without Gervinho and Mohamed Salah. Nevertheless, a Roma victory would see the Italians progress if Leverkusen fail to beat BATE.

At Haifa, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv would appear to be the ideal opponents for a still-fragile Chelsea side who could clinch qualification for the last 16.

Jose Mourinho’s side revived their European campaign with a 2-1 win at home to Dynamo Kiev three weeks ago and travel to the Middle East on the back of a 1-0 win over Norwich City in the Premier League.

The Blues are second in Group G and a win will take them through if Dynamo Kiev fail to beat Porto. A draw would also suffice if Dynamo lost, but they could also find themselves back in third place if they lose and Dynamo win.

In Group E, with their final game against Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen know they can ill afford a slip up against Belarusian champions BATE Borisov.

Third-place Leverkusen trail Roma by a point but their away form in this season’s competition, including the play-off round, reads three defeats from three. Roger Schmidt’s team will look to Mexico striker Javier Hernandez, who has 10 goals in his last seven matches, to continue his impressive form.

Defeat for BATE would end their bid to advance to the knockout phase for the first time although their home form — four wins in five including a 3-2 victory over Roma — suggests they’ll prove a tricky obstacle for Bayer.

In Group F, Arsenal must avenge their opening game defeat to Dinamo Zagreb if the Gunners are to retain any hope of qualifying for the knockout stages.

At Munich,a draw at the Allianz Arena would send both Bayern Munich and Olympiakos through to the next round with a game to spare.