Trying to stop Messi ‘is so difficult’ – Guardiola

Ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain, City boss Pep Guardiola says it’s so difficult trying to stop Lionel Messi, adding that he’s happy that the 34-year-old Argentine is still an active player.

Guardiola, who managed Messi at Barcelona, talked about trying to stop the Argentine forward and said: “It’s so difficult. Sometimes when he has the ball, you don’t know what to do – not even he knows.

“I am so happy he is still playing, at the level he plays and the quality.”

PSG beat City 2-0 at the Parc des Princes in September – a match in which Messi scored. But the group has since turned round with City now in top spot and needing only a point from their game on Wednesday to advance to the knockout stage.

A draw would also see both sides progress if Club Bruges fail to win at home to RB Leipzig.