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The group phase of the 2020-21 Champions League is winding down, with the eagerly-anticipated knockout phases of the tournament starting in a few short months.

There is still a lot to play for as the competition nears the end of the group phases, with even more mouthwatering ties ahead.

Goal will keep you updated on the individual goal tallies for the highest-scoring Champions League players this season.

Champions League 2020-21 Top Scorers

Wonderkid Erling Haaland leads the pack with six goals for Dortmund, already setting Europe alight in his first full season at the Bundesliga side.

He is followed closely by Marcus Rashford and Alvaro Morata, who both have five strikes apiece for Manchester United and Juventus respectively - with Rashford setting a new Champions League record with his hat-trick against RB Leipzig.

New Liverpool signing Diogo Jota has hit the ground running at Liverpool since arriving from Wolves in the summer, and already has four strikes to his name in his debut campaign for the Reds.

*Correct as of games played on Dec 1, 2020.

Who finished top in 2019-20?

Robert Lewandowski was the top-scorer in last season's Champions League, his 15 strikes instrumental in Bayern Munich winning the competition.

The German giants picked up their sixth Champions League trophy after beating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the final of the tournament, with Kingsley Coman netting the winning goal early in the second half.

He was followed by Haaland with 10 strikes for both RB Salzburg and Dortmund, and Bayern team-mate Serge Gnabry's nine strikes placing him third.

Chelsea midfielder Jorginho insists he is happy to be involved in a battle for playing time this season, despite a lack of action recently.

The Blues have started the season well both domestically and internationally, sitting third in the Premier League while also clinching progression to the Champions League last 16 with two group games to spare. 

Jorginho has been a regular contributor for his side this season but has not started a Premier League match since October and did not get off the bench in his side's past two league matches. 

Still, the Italy international has welcomed the increased competition in the squad, which is set to intensify even further with the return of Billy Gilmour from a long-term knee injury.

"I think that’s good for the team," Jorginho said of the competition for places. "[The] level of the team is higher and competition is good. So we are more competitive between us, the level of the training is higher and everything is better. We just try to work even harder to have a chance to play."

The 28-year-old insisted that he isn't concerned with a reduction in minutes if the Blues continue to have success on the pitch.

"Everyone wants to play, but the most important thing is that we try to win, and we are winning so I am ok and when the call comes, I am working hard to be prepared for that," he added.

Jorginho could be set to feature on Wednesday when Chelsea face Sevilla in the Champions League. Though both teams have already qualified for the last 16, the game could determine who goes through as Group E winners.

“It’s a good opportunity for us to try and win the game and for our fitness and being top of the group is a big thing," Jorginho said. "We have been working hard and trying to understand how to play against them. They are a very good team, with good organisation. It will be a good game which we will try to win.”

Following the match against Sevilla, Chelsea will return to Premier League action on Saturday when they face Leeds United.

Former Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs boss Kosta Papic has been named as new head coach of Ghana Premier League (GPL) side Hearts of Oak, the Phobians have announced.

The Serbian re-joins the Accra-based outfit since guiding the club to their last league title in 2009.

He takes the place of Edward Nii Odoom who has been demoted to the position of assistant coach following the club's disappointing start to the 2020-21 football season.

"Coach Kosta Papic returns home," Hearts announced on their official Twitter account on Tuesday.

After failing to defend their 2007 GPL title in 2008, Hearts hired Papic, who helped the club to snatch the trophy for a record 19th time in their history. The club has failed to win the league ever since.

Before joining the Phobians, the 60-year-old coached Nigerian sides Lobi Stars, Enugu Rangers, Kwara United and Enyimba as well as South African outfits Orlando Pirates, Maritzburg United and Kaizer Chiefs.

After his one-year stint with Hearts, Papic went on to coach Young Africans of Tanzania as well as South African clubs Black Leopards, Chippa United, Polokwane City and Royal Eagles.

Most recently, he led the eSwatini national team between 2018 and 2019.

“I hope the way he [Papic] worked with us when we were there and achieved results, I hope he can replicate same this time. His tactics are good and he relates very well with all the players," former Hearts star Francis Bossman told. Happy FM.

"I hope the confidence will come so he will be able to help the team.

“He is not going to struggle because he came to meet some players. He will be able to penetrate and do the job.

“The pressure at Hearts of Oak is too big for Nii Odoom. Kosta Papic and Nii Odoom should work together because Odoom has built the team and both of them can work together."

The second most successful club in GPL history, Hearts have drawn one and lost one of two league games played so far this season.

The won the Caf Champions League in 2000, the Caf Super Cup in 2001 and the Caf Confederation Cup in 2004.

Chelsea are the best attacking team in England, according to Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui.

The Blues are third in the Premier League after 10 matches, two points behind Tottenham and Liverpool. Frank Lampard's team are the joint-top scorers in the division alongside the reigning champions, having struck 22 goals so far.

Chelsea are already sure of a place in the last-16 stage of the Champions League, having collected 10 points from four matches. They come up against Sevilla, who are level on points with them at the top of Group E, on Wednesday, and Lopetegui is excited about the challenge that awaits his side.   

“It’s a huge and exciting challenge against a team who could win the Champions League,” the coach said. “They are the best attacking team in England at the moment, they have great players.

“It’s a real excitement to play against them and it motivates us to play our best. I expect a very complex game. Chelsea are a team with a lot of individual and collective talent. It will lead us to redouble our efforts and play a great game.

"We are very excited to challenge for first place. We are excited and want to overcome a team designed to win the Champions League."

Sevilla are on a five-game winning run in all competitions and are fifth in La Liga after nine matches.

This week is a tough one for Lopetegui's men as they face a home match against Real Madrid three days after their clash with Chelsea, but the former Spain boss has confidence in his team.

“We want to keep working and growing as a team against a very strong opponent who we’ll need to be at our absolute best to beat,” he said. “I see the team working every day, they’re trying their best in spite of the difficult of this season and the injuries we have.

“We’ve got a number of absentees but we are coping.”

Lopetegui was asked about reports linking Sevilla with a move for Madrid midfielder Isco, but the 54-year-old was not in the mood to discuss possible transfers.

"I'm only talking about my players and our team," he said. "I'm not talking about any player from another team and less so on the eve of a Champions League match."

Express FC head coach Wasswa Bbosa is hopeful his team can win the Ugandan Premier League (UPL) in the forthcoming campaign but believes a top-three finish will also be an achievement.

The Wankulunkuku-based charges have been strengthening their squad, hoping to dine with the big boys in the 2020/21 campaign. The tactician believes the team is on the right track and their objectives will be reached.

"When I joined the club, I told the board that during my three-year stay, I’ll win silverware," Bbosa said ahead of the new season that kicks off on December 3.

"It still remains my target, and for the next season, winning the league is a priority but a top 3 finish is my target."

The Red Eagles conceded 37 goals in the abandoned 2019/20 season in 25 games. It was a bad record considering the fact that only the bottom three teams that were eventually relegated, Maroons FC, Tooro United FC, and Proline FC, conceded more.

"Honestly, all our departments are strong because we planned our recruitment although every team has to be solid at the back and that I am sure of," Bbosa continued. 

"The forward line is good too. In Frank Kalanda, new signing George Ssenkaaba, Eric Kambale, and Mustafa Kiragga we’re sure about the goals."

The six-time champions signed 18 players in the concluded transfer window. Among those signed are experienced defender Murushid Juuko.

In an early interview, the tactician told fans they have every reason to be hopeful of a good campaign.

"I thank our bosses for the support extended to us in this [Covid-19] period, they have been able to give us all players we asked without hesitation," Bbosa told Express TV.

"I [urge] all fans to be hopeful, this season’s recruitment is going to be fruitful because we have recruitments across all departments on the pitch. We now have young players who can compete."

East Bengal were outplayed by Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League fixture which ended 0-3 at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Tuesday.

It was the second consecutive loss for Robbie Fowler and his team after they registered a defeat against rivals ATK Mohun Bagan in their first game of the season. 

East Bengal looked sloppy throughout the match as they failed to match their opponent's tempo. 

The former Liverpool striker was critical about some of his Indian players without mentioning their name and he suggested that it looks like they have never been coached. Fowler also mentioned that he will look to train the Indian players to make them better.  

"We played two great teams and when you commit mistakes they will punish you. We will learn from that and we will soldier on. There is a little bit of work to do on the training park," Fowler said in the post-match interview. 

"We will coach the players because in all fairness few of them have probably never been coached before and that is what we are doing. We will try and make our Indian players better and that takes good coaching and I don't think they had that in the years gone by," the Englishman added.

East Bengal were dealt with a major blow as they lost their star defender Daniel Fox in the seventh minute of the play to an injury. Fowler suggested that it changed the tempo of the game for his side and highlighted that they need to work on concentration.

"We looked OK.  think the quality was at times ok. I think individual lapses cost us. We have to do better in terms of concentration. Concentration level in football is huge. I think we need to learn quickly," Fowler said in the post-match interview. 

"I haven't got a clue (about the extent of Fox's injury). We will assess Danny. I'm not sure to the full extent. It's fairly obvious that there might be a few changes in terms of personnel. We will work on a few things"

Liverpool’s injury crisis shows no sign of slowing after Alisson Becker was ruled out of their crunch Champions League clash with Ajax.

The goalkeeper is not in the Reds’ 20-man squad for tonight’s Group D fixture at Anfield, with Ireland U21 international Caoimhin Kelleher deputising against the Dutch champions in what will be his first Champions League start.

Liverpool say Alisson's absence is precautionary due to a hamstring problem, but they will hope, with fixtures coming thick and fast in December, that his absence is not a long-term one. 

The Premier League champions are already stretched thin by injuries, with James Milner, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Naby Keita, Thiago Alcantara and Xherdan Shaqiri all currently sidelined. Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk, meanwhile, are longer-term absentees. Both will be lucky to play again this season.

Alisson has already missed three games this term after suffering a shoulder injury in a training session at Melwood in October.

Liverpool had initially feared he could miss up to six weeks, but he was able to return after just three, and has played in all the Reds’ eight games since.

Alisson does have a history of injury problems, missing the majority of the start of last season after picking up a knock in the first Premier League game of Liverpool's ultimately triumphant 2019-20 campaign. On that occasion, Adrian filled in for the Brazilian.

He will be missing this evening, although the Reds welcome Joel Matip and captain Jordan Henderson back into their starting line-up. 

Matip was rested for the 1-1 draw at Brighton on Saturday but returns alongside Fabinho at centre-back while Henderson, who was a half-time substitute at the Amex Stadium, plays in midfield with Gini Wijnaldum and the recalled Curtis Jones.

Sadio Mane also returns having started on the bench at the weekend, as part of a three-pronged attack with Diogo Jota and top scorer Mohamed Salah.

A draw would see Liverpool safely into the knockout stages for the fourth successive season, but a defeat against Erik ten Hag’s side would leave them requiring a result from their final group match, away to Danish champions FC Midtjylland on December 9, in order to progress.

Dynamo Kiev coach Mircea Lucescu has said Cristiano Ronaldo has an uplifting effect on the rest of the Juventus team.

Ronaldo has scored nine goals in seven appearances in Serie A and the Champions League heading into Wednesday's encounter against the Ukrainian side.

The 35-year-old attacker was absent as his side drew 1-1 with Benevento on Saturday but could return to the starting XI when they host Kiev.

While Juventus and Barcelona have already booked their place in the next round of the competition, Lucescu's team are still in contention for a place in the last 32 of the Europa League.

But he has warned his side will have to watch out for the Portugal star should he make an appearance in the clash in Turin.

"Ronaldo has charisma, he brings the whole team to life, he is one of those players who can make a difference," Lucescu said.

"He is important for what he does on the pitch and for the confidence he gives to everyone."

Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo has come under pressure due to his side's inconsistent start to the season, but Lucescu believes they are still one of the best teams in Europe.  

"Juventus are a great team, they can field two different equally strong teams," he added.

"They have changed some things and they are perfecting some others, but I'm sure that it will enhance the talent of their players.

"I think that Juve can win the Champions League, they have great players. Certainly the absence of the fans also makes everything more difficult for everyone.

"Italian football is and will continue to be one of the most important in the world."

Dynamo winger Viktor Tsygankov expects a better performance from his side than the 2-0 defeat they suffered at home to the Bianconeri in October.

"I expect a great match, we're playing against the best," he said.

"We remember the first match, Juve are an excellent team. We've worked on our mistakes, let's see how it will go tomorrow."

Juventus are second in Group G and three points behind leaders Barcelona. Dynamo, meanwhile, have one point from four matches and are level with Hungarian side Ferencvaros.

Premier Soccer League (PSL) giants Kaizer Chiefs have given an update on the injury status of Ramahlwe Mphahlele ahead of their Caf Champions League clash with PWD Bamenda.

The experienced central defender picked up a hamstring injury during Amakhosi's 1-0 win against Bamenda in the Champions League preliminary round first-leg match in Limbe, Cameroon, over the weekend.

Mphahlele has joined Serbian centre forward Samir Nurkovic on the Naturena-based giants' injury list. 

Chiefs released the following statement on Tuesday as they revealed that Mphahlele will be assessed ahead of the second-leg encounter:

"Amakhosi return from Cameroon with an injury concern of defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele who was substituted by Yagan Sasman during the win over Bamenda," a club statement read.

"He has a hamstring strain and will be further assessed on Tuesday and Wednesday to ascertain the extent of the injury and his availability for the second leg.

"Rama’s injury aside, Chiefs will be looking to history for some inspiration;  in the second leg, since first competing in the Caf Champions League in 1993, Chiefs have always managed to win the home leg of a preliminary round.  Doing so in 1993, 2005, 2014, 2015 and 2016."

Mphahlele, who has struggled with injuries in the last few seasons, has made seven appearances across all competitions for the Soweto giants this season.

Amakhosi head coach Gavin Hunt could look to Yagan Sasman once again if Mphahlele fails to recover in time for the crucial match which is scheduled to be played on Friday. 

Chiefs are set to play host to Bamenda at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg as the Glamour Boys look to advance to the first round of Africa's most prestigious club competition. 

The Soweto giants, who are leading 1-0 on aggregate, will book their place in the first round if they avoid a defeat against the reigning Cameroonian champions. 

The winner on aggregate between Chiefs and Bamenda will lock horns with Angolan outfit CD Primeiro de Agosto over two legs in the first round tie. 

Primeiro de Agosto were given a preliminary stage bye after they reached last season's Champions League group stage.

Nigeria international Asisat Oshoala has been nominated for the first-ever Uefa Women's Team of the Year, following her exploits with Barcelona.

Uefa released the shortlist for fan voting on Tuesday and the Super Falcons captain unsurprisingly appeared on the nominations, along with 14 strikers, including teammate Jennifer Hermoso.

The 50-name shortlist was made by Uefa on the basis of the players' individual performances in European and domestic competition during the 2020 season, and comprises of five goalkeepers, 15 defenders, 15 midfielders, and 15 forwards.

Barcelona claimed the Spanish Primera Iberdrola title for the first time since 2015 and a fifth in their history in May, without suffering a defeat in 21 matches during the 2019-20 campaign.

Oshoala, the scorer of the consolation goal in 2019 Champions League final, netted 20 times in 19 outings last term and is among the eight Barcelona stars nominated, and hopeful for a place in the final XI.

The 26-year-old is the only African nominated in the first-ever women's TOTY shortlist, as she hopes to extend her reputation beyond the continent following a record-equalling fourth African crown.

Since her arrival on loan from China's Dalian Quanjian in February 2019, the former Arsenal and Liverpool star scored 29 goals in 32 league appearances for Barcelona.

Besides Oshoala, Alexia Putellas, Caroline Graham Hansen, Marta Torrejon, Sandra Panos, Mapi Leon and Kheira Hamraoui are the other seven Barcelona stars in the running for the final XI.

Barcelona have the third-highest amount nominations on the 50-woman list after reigning Women's Champions League holders Lyon with 13 players and runners-up Wolfsburg (11).

Thomas Tuchel cannot explain Kylian Mbappe's drought in the Champions League but is confident the Paris Saint-Germain star can make a decisive impact against Manchester United. 

Tuchel's men, who lost in last season's final to Bayern Munich, face a challenge to progress to the last 16 of this year's competition after a series of unconvincing performances in the group stage.

United, having won the reverse fixture in Paris, lead Group H with nine points, with PSG and RB Leipzig level on six points heading into the final two pool games.

Key to PSG's struggles has been their form in front of goal. While United have scored 12 goals in four games, PSG have found the net just five times.

United have converted 21.8 per cent of their shots compared to 10.4 for PSG.

PSG have taken advantage of 37.5 per cent of their big chances. In stark contrast to the profligacy shown by the Ligue 1 champions, United have found the net from 83.3 per cent of their big chances.

Mbappe has not scored in the Champions League since a 5-0 win over Galatasaray on December 11 last year, despite taking 11 shots - including one big chance - this term.

Of that barren run, Tuchel told a media conference: "I heard about that statistic [the drought] and I was surprised. I can't explain it because he has everything needed to score at every level. He has the quality, the personality and the experience to be decisive."

Group stage elimination would be disastrous for PSG and Tuchel, and he says they are doing their best to prepare for the big game without being weighed down by a fear of failure.

He said: "We felt the same against Leipzig. Victory was also compulsory. It may depend on the result from Leipzig to Basaksehir before.

"It's a very big challenge to come to Old Trafford to win, but it's not impossible. We will prepare ourselves tactically and mentally to be liberated and disciplined for a big fight. It will take the necessary solidarity to overcome this obstacle."

Former PSG striker Edinson Cavani may start for United after scoring twice as a substitute to help them to a comeback Premier League win at Southampton.

Tuchel said of his former player: "He was decisive in the second half at Southampton. He showed all his quality, his heart, his determination. It's no surprise, we know him well. We will have to find solutions against him if he is on the pitch, that's for sure."

Real Madrid are in danger of a dramatic Champions League group-stage exit after they fell to a 2-0 away defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk.

If Borussia Monchengladbach defeat Inter later on Tuesday, 13-time winners Madrid will not have their Group B fate in their own hands.

Shakhtar defeated Madrid in Spain on matchday one and earned another upset victory courtesy of second-half strikes from substitutes Dentinho and Manor Solomon.

Madrid are now third in the pool, behind Shakhtar due to their head-to-head record and a point behind Borussia Monchengladbach, who host Inter later on Tuesday.

Gladbach will be out of reach for the Spanish champions should they prevail against the winless Nerazzurri.

Madrid, who next face the Bundesliga side, would then have to better Shakhtar's result against Inter on matchday six to progress.
 

Kenya striker Michael Olunga continued with his scoring run after notching in a goal during Kashiwa Reysol’s 2-0 win against Vegalta Sendai in a midweek J1-League match played on Tuesday.

The Harambee Stars forward is currently hunting for the Golden Boot and was keen to extend his scoring run with Reysol with only six matches left to the end of the season.

Cristiano da Silva opened the scoring for Reysol in the 21st minute after an assist from Olunga before the former Gor Mahia striker grabbed his 26th goal of the campaign in the 60th minute.

Silva gave the dominant Reysol a deserved lead after he raced onto a pass from Olunga beating Sendai defenders with his pace before planting the ball past the keeper for a 1-0 lead at the half-time break.

In the 60th minute, Olunga was on the target as a ball from the corner-kick delivered by Silva was not cleared by the Sendai defender, and the striker, who was unmarked in the box, powered it home with his right foot.

This is the third straight time the Kenya international has scored since resuming action after they were forced into self-isolation when their camp reported six coronavirus positives in late October.

The Harambee Star was also on target when Kashiwa Reysol went down 2-1 to Sagan Tosu on November 21 and also in the 4-1 defeat against Kashima Antlers last Wednesday.

In a recent interview after the defeat to Antlers, Olunga said his target is to score in the remaining six matches but warned it will not be an easy task.

“Each and every game is very tough but I try to give my best,” Olunga told reporters.

“I thank my teammates for creating space and scoring opportunities for me. I will do my best in the last six games, push and see [how many goals I will score].”

Olunga missed Harambee Stars Africa Cup of Nations double-header against Comoros as Kenya drew 1-1 at home and lost the return leg played in Moroni 2-1.

Kawasaki Frontale have been declared winners of the league title already given they lead with 75 points, 17 more than Gamba Osaka who are second with four matches to go.

There will be “a lot of teams regretting” not signing Edinson Cavani, says Luke Chadwick, with the former Manchester United winger admitting that an experienced frontman has proved him wrong.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made the acquisition of another goal-getter a top priority during the summer transfer window.

Many expected the Red Devils to snap up a player of promise that could fill an important role in the present and future.

In the end, options proved to be in short supply and former Paris Saint-Germain star Cavani was plucked out of the free agent pool on deadline day.

He is not a long-term solution for United at 33 years of age, but he is proven at the very highest level and has shown over the course of a prolific career that he knows where the back of the net is.

Those qualities have been showcased across his early weeks in England, with a match-winning brace helping the Red Devils to recover from two goals down in their last outing at Southampton to claim another three points on the road.

Starting berths look set to be in short supply for Cavani, despite his efforts so far, but Chadwick concedes that Solskjaer has pulled off quite the coup in landing a striker that many will now be wishing they had approached.

The ex-United midfielder told CaughtOffside: “I think obviously Cavani coming on made a huge difference in terms of the two goals and an assist [against Southampton].

“I think his movement was brilliant around the box. United started the game well and were by far the better team for the first 20-25 minutes but just lacked that cutting edge in front of goal, but Cavani completely turned the game on its head in the second half.

“I’m sure after seeing his performance on Sunday a lot of teams will be regretting not signing him, but when you get to a certain age it does count against you a little bit.

“He seems to fit into just what United need at this moment in time in terms of a real penalty box predator.

“I wasn’t 100 per cent convinced when they first signed him in terms of what he still has to offer, but he looks in incredible physical shape and his movement – you don’t lose that, that movement he’s had over the years that’s made him a world-class goalscorer.

“Although he set up the Bruno Fernandes goal with a lovely cross, you don’t see a huge amount of him outside the box, all he’s interested in is getting in that box, getting across the front post and that’s something United haven’t had for many a year now – a really natural goalscorer.”

United will be back in action on Wednesday when they take on Cavani’s former employers PSG in the Champions League.

Jordan Henderson admits nobody is doing Liverpool any favours at present, with a gruelling schedule taking its toll, but the Reds skipper intends to be in contention for major honours come the spring.

In order to be in the mix at the end of the season, Jurgen Klopp’s side must first make their way through a testing winter.

The games continue to come thick and fast across multiple competitions, with Champions League football back on the agenda against Ajax on Tuesday.

Klopp has aired his grievances with the make-up of Liverpool’s 2020-21 calendar on a regular basis of late, with a flurry of untimely injuries considered to be an indicator of players being pushed too hard.

Henderson shares the concerns of his manager, but he insists no excuses are going to be offered by the reigning Premier League champions in their pursuit of more silverware.

The Liverpool captain told the club’s official matchday programme: “Now that we have given ourselves a platform, we have to build on it. At this stage of last season we were in a similar position and we went on to make it count. That’s the challenge again this time around.

“It’s one thing having a decent autumn, but only if you push on through winter - when the games come thicker and faster than ever - do you have a chance of making the most of spring. 

“A lot has been said about the schedule and, without wanting to reopen the debate, it’s fair to say that this season’s is tougher than ever. But it is what it is and our job as players is to try to clear every obstacle that is placed in our way.  

“No-one is going to do us any favours and we’re not looking for any, so the best thing that we can do is stick to our mantra of taking one game at a time and being as competitive as we can be no matter who our opponents might be.”

Liverpool are well on course to book their place in the last 16 of the Champions League, with two Group D games left to take in, but Henderson and Co will be taking nothing for granted, with Ajax expected to put up a fight at Anfield.

“People will look at the fact that we won [1-0] in Amsterdam and make us favourites but, as Atalanta showed last week, football is rarely that straightforward,” Henderson added.

“I know from my own experience at Liverpool that whenever we lose a game we want to put that right by showing what we’re capable of. I have no doubt whatsoever that Ajax will approach this game with exactly the same mindset. 

“There’s a banner that gets displayed on the Kop sometimes and I love it because of its simplicity. It just says ‘Liverpool FC: European Royalty’ and is one of many things that makes me incredibly proud to captain this club.  

“One of the reasons for that pride is because that statement puts us alongside clubs like Ajax who have made such a contribution to football in Europe over the years. They have our admiration and our respect and I hope that the game lives up to the best standards of both clubs.”

Lionel Messi should have the yellow card he was shown for his on-pitch tribute to Diego Maradona rescinded, according to Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman.

Former Barca and Argentina great Maradona died last week at the age of 60 and was honoured before all La Liga matches over the weekend.

Messi scored his side's fourth goal in fine style during Sunday's 4-0 home win over Osasuna.

Afterwards, he removed his Barca shirt to reveal a Newell's Old Boys jersey emblazoned with Maradona's famous number 10.

He then pointedly saluted the sky in honour of his compatriot, who spent a season towards the end of his career with Newell's - the club where Messi began his youth career.

Following the victory, Koeman told the media how impressed he was, both with his captain's finish and with the way he chose to pay his respects to his compatriot.

The yellow card shown to Messi, which regulations state will come with a €3,000 fine for Barca, has attracted attention after the match and Koeman believes it should be overturned.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's away Champions League match against Ferencvaros, for which Messi will be rested, Koeman said: "We know that there is a rule [relating to the award of] the yellow card.

"But we also know that it was his dedication to Maradona when he took off his shirt. It's not my decision, but for me I would take it off."

Barca are hopeful the yellow card decision will be changed.

According to Sport, they will use the precedent of Sergio Ramos having a booking overturned on sentimental grounds in 2007 after he paid tribute to Sevilla star Antonio Puerta to argue their case.

Barcelona have won all of their previous five competitive meetings with Hungarian sides and dominated the Camp Nou fixture against Ferencvaros in a 5-1 triumph last month.

Messi opened the scoring with a penalty in that game and also laid on a late assist for Ousmane Dembele.

However, he will now sit out of a second straight Champions League match, having also been rested for the 4-0 win over Dynamo Kiev last time out in the competition.

Barca have fared surprisingly well without Messi, winning eight of their last nine Champions League games that he missed since losing to Ajax in 2013.

The club are looking to win each of their first five Champions League group stage games for the first time since the 2002-03 campaign.