LONDON: Lionel Messi is back, and that’s the best news Barcelona could have ahead of their Champions League match at Celtic.

Messi practiced with the team on Monday, after missing the match against Malaga in La Liga because of illness. With Luis Suarez also absent through suspension, Barca could not manage more than a 0-0 draw. Both forwards will be in squad to face Celtic on Wednesday.

What Messi means for Barca is easy to see just by looking at numbers, even without considering the inspirational things he can do on the field.

Messi had hat-tricks against Celtic and Manchester City in earlier Group ‘C’ matches and has a total of 90 Champions League goals, including seven hat-tricks.

Perhaps surprisingly, Barcelona still has not sealed a spot in the last 16, but could do it with one match to spare. With nine points, Barcelona needs a win or a draw to advance, depending on other results.

After winning 7-0 at home against Celtic, Barcelona may have the mental edge. But Celtic will have something to prove after their biggest European defeat.

“There’s no apprehension. We’ve learned a lot from that game,” Celtic forward Scott Sinclair said. “I think we’ve learned a lot and hopefully now we’re going in with a positive mindset.”

City, buoyed by the return of Yaya Toure, will look to seal a spot in the knockout stage when they travel to Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Toure, banned by coach Pep Guardiola following comments by his agent about the manager, returned from a three-month exile to score both goals in City’s 2-1 Premier League win at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Guardiola’s decision to restore the Ivorian has further boosted spirits, already high with the team just a point behind leaders Chelsea in the Premier League.

“His personality and his quality are there to see,” Guardiola said. “He can play many positions. We now have one more man that can help us achieve our targets this season. With this intensity, we’re going to play in the Champions League.”

City, who crushed Gladbach 4-0 at home in September, are in second place in the group on seven points, three ahead of the Germans, and only need a draw to progress, provided Celtic do not beat Barca.

Celtic stay in contention with a win, as long as City fail to take three points. Gladbach need to win to retain a chance of reaching the knockout stage for the first time.

Top spot at stake

First place in Group ‘A’ is the prize when Arsenal host Paris St Germain in a meeting between the top two.

Both teams have 10 points and are guaranteed to advance to the knockout stage, but still to be determined is which club finishes at the top — most likely earning an easier game in the last 16.

They drew 1-1 in Paris, so the winners in the return match in London will secure first place based on their head-to-head record.

Ludogorets Razgrad are at home against FC Basel in the group’s other game with both garnering a solitary point to date.

A Europa League spot is the consolation prize that awaits the side that can cement third place.

Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich are through from Group ‘D’ and Atletico will take first place if they beat PSV Eindhoven at home and Bayern draw or lose in Rostov.

Atletico have beaten Bayern and have 12 points, while Bayern have nine.

Bayern slumped to its first Bundesliga defeat at Borussia Dortmund over the weekend and will be without goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who has a calf injury. Sven Ulreich will replace him. Arjen Robben, Arturo Vidal and Javi Martinez are also absent.

Atletico were far from its best, too, going down 3-0 to Real Madrid in a repeat of last season’s Champions League final that Real Madrid won on penalties.

PSV and Rostov are battling for third place in the group.

Group ‘B’ is still wide open and even last-placed Dynamo Kiev can advance to the last 16, although they have only one point ahead of visiting Napoli.

Napoli’s campaign has stalled with one point from the last two matches. But the Italian side will advance with a win, provided Benfica also win.

Benfica lead the group with seven points and visit Besiktas, who have six. Benfica go through with a win. Besiktas advance if they win and Napoli don’t.

Dynamo can only stay in contention with a win and Besiktas fail to do so. Otherwise, Dynamo cannot finish higher than fourth.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2016