‘Benfica equipped to get result at Barca’

LISBON – Benfica have enough quality to get the result they need to reach the Champions League last 16 away at Barcelona on Wednesday, whether or not the already-qualified Catalans decide to rest Lionel Messi for their final group game, coach Jorge Jesus said.The “Eagles” are second in Group G, level on seven points with Celtic, but have a better head-to-head record than the Scottish outfit. They need to achieve a result that at least matches Celtic’s at home to Spartak Moscow to reach the last 16.“Celtic may even qualify but if we don’t count Barcelona, Spartak and us are the strongest of the group, in my opinion,” Jesus said.“I’m sick of repeating that Barcelona are the best in the world. Still, we go to Barcelona with a lot of confidence.”Jesus has injury concerns over midfielders Eduardo Salvio, Enzo Perez, Pablo Aimar and Carlos Martins, but said his side will travel believing they can surprise Barca in their own back yard.World Player of the Year Messi created both goals in Barca’s 2-0 win in Lisbon in October and may get another stab at beating former Germany and Bayern Munich striker Gerd Mueller’s record of 85 goals scored in a calendar year set back in 1972.The Argentine forward netted twice in the 5-1 rout of Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Saturday, and is now just one goal short of Mueller’s tally.

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‘Benfica equipped to get result at Barca’