Barca can beat anyone with a fired-up Messi, says Mascherano

The prospect of Champions League glory has Lionel Messi all fired-up, says Javier Mascherano, who expects Barcelona to beat Bayern Munich.

It’s now been five years since Lionel Messi last lifted the Champions League trophy with Barcelona.

Few will forget the way the Argentine demolished Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the 2014/15 campaign, scoring two vital goals in a 5-3 aggregate win. He ran the show back then, and deservedly won the title.

But even Messi’s incredible talents haven’t been enough recently, with Barcelona coming up short time and time again. Losing to Liverpool in last season’s semi-finals was perhaps the biggest blow, especially after surrending a 3-0 aggregate lead.

Although Mascherano, who was part of Barcelona’s last Champions League-winning squad, believes Messi knows a fifth title is nearby and is raising his game as a result.

“Messi is the main reason Barcelona can beat any team,” Mascherano told Ara.

“He knows they are just two more matches away from the Champions League final. I saw that desire from him against Napoli and it spread to his teammates.”

Tonight’s quarter-final clash between Barcelona and Bayern is arguably the biggest fixture yet, with the German champions tipped as favorites to progress. However, Mascherano believes otherwise.

“Bayern have a very good team with some physically strong players but, in a one-off match, anything can happen and I’m convinced Barcelona will be good enough,” added the now-Estudiantes de La Plata defender.

“Barcelona need to control the match because it’s always difficult for them to defend around their own area. If they can control things, then it’s down to individual moments and that’s when things begin to happen.”