Superstar Lionel Messi from French soccer champions Paris Saint-Germain expressed great respect for the task before the round of 16 second leg in the Champions League on Wednesday (9 p.m. / DAZN) at FC Bayern Munich. Argentina's world champion captain expects a "very close and difficult game" and the outcome will depend "on small details". "But I think we are well prepared and able to turn the whole thing around," said the 35-year-old in a club interview published on YouTube on Monday. He himself feels "very good." PSG lost the first leg in Paris 0-1.

Messi admitted that coach Christophe Galtier's side weren't in the best form before recent victories against Marseille (3-0) and Nantes (4-2). But now they have improved and want to try "to do everything right" in Munich as well in order to turn the deficit from the first leg. The team has a great desire to continue on their way in the Champions League. "And that's what we're going to try to achieve."

The French series champion has to do without offensive star Neymar, who will most likely be out for the rest of the season. The 31-year-old has to undergo ligament surgery on his right ankle. As PSG announced on Monday, Neymar could only return to team training in three to four months.

Messi-Interview (Youtube)