Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is set to miss the Champions League game with Borussia Monchengladbach. Reuters

KEY POINTS

  • Aleix Vidal and third keeper Jordi Masip return to squad.
  • Catalans visit Borussia Park following a 5-0 victory over Sporting Gijon in La Liga.

Lionel Messi and Samuel Umtiti are out of the Champions League Group C game between Barcelona and Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday night (28 September), with the duo both being omitted from the 20-man travelling squad. The out-of-favour Aleix Vidal and third keeper Jordi Masip both return, having been snubbed for the 5-0 weekend victory at Sporting Gijon.

Messi also missed the win over the Asturian side, having torn his right abductor during the draw with Atletico Madrid midweek. The Argentine was ruled out for three weeks and is expected to return after the forthcoming international break.

The French centre-back has already missed two games, after suffering an internal ligament strain to his left knee during a training session. There is no current date set for his return to action.

Luis Enrique has named the rest of his Barcelona squad for the trip to Germany, but will need to cut two more of them to make the final 18-man roster.

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Third keeper Masip is likely to be one of the victims, as Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Jasper Cillessen remain ahead of him in the pecking order. Vidal's fate is less certain, with the Barcelona right-back having been frozen out since the shock 2-1 defeat to Alaves on 10 September, where he was at fault for the Basques' second goal.

Luis Enrique said last week that he had no problems with the former Sevilla full-back, but Vidal has been axed for the last four games, including the previous Champions League victory over Celtic.

Barcelona will be looking to secure all the three points at the Borussia Park, ahead of the battle with Manchester City to top Group C. The Catalans thrashed the Scottish champions 7-0 in the opening game, but Pep Guardiola's boys also beat Monchengladbach 4-0.

Barcelona 20-man travelling squad for Borussia Monchengladbach:

Ter Stegen, Cillessen, Masip, Piqué, Rakitic, Sergio, Denis Suárez, Arda, A. Iniesta, Suárez, Neymar Jr, Rafinha, Mascherano, Paco Alcácer, Jordi Alba, Digne, Sergi Roberto, André Gomes, Aleix Vidal and Mathieu.