Pep Guardiola says Manchester City are ready to suffer after learning that Lionel Messi will start against them for Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Messi was an injury doubt before the game, but has been passed fit and starts in a dangerous front three alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
Guardiola was fortunate to manage Messi during his time at Barcelona, and has also been on the receiving end of his brilliance when City faced Barca in 2016.
Now, with a reunion in Paris, Guardiola said City are expecting a big test against Messi, Neymar and Mbappe, but they do have a plan to try and stop them.
He told BT Sport: "I enjoy him for years. With this type of players, we are ready to suffer a little bit. They are unstoppable 90 minutes, too much good to control all the time, not just him - Mbappe, Neymar, Verratti. We know it.
"We have an idea what game we want to do and we try it."
On his own team selection, with two changes made from the impressive win at Chelsea, Guardiola admitted City might not replicate the levels shown at Stamford Bridge, but he still backed his troops to continue the momentum in Paris.
"Every manager, every team wants to reach the level every weekend," he said, adding that the trip to Liverpool on Sunday did not impact his selection too much.
"Sometimes not possible because you're not good or the opponent is better, the intention always is to do our best."
"[I made the changes] for the specific qualities I believe we need today. I thought to maybe make a bit more but this kind of game I'm sure the players are not tired.
"So excited, the trip was comfortable, the hotel magnificent, the city is so nice, no complaints. After we have five days before the game in Anfield. We will see."
