Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has likened Lionel Messi's impact at the club to that of legendary forward Ladislao Kubala after he matched the Hungarian's goal tally this week.

Messi scored his 194th goal for the club in Barca's 5-0 destruction of BATE Borisov in the Champions League in Minsk on Wednesday.

While the feat is just the latest in a long line of landmarks for the Argentinian, the milestone had more meaning in Barcelona because it saw him match the achievements of arguably the club's greatest ever player.

Ahead of Sunday's trip to Sporting Gijon in La Liga, Guardiola heaped yet more praise on his talisman.

"He's equalled another Barca legend, who, by the way he played and was, changed this club,'' he told reporters.

"With Kubala's football the Les Corts stadium became too small and they had to build the Nou Camp.''

Messi is now second in the club's all-time goalscoring charts and will start making inroads towards overhauling the great Cesar's 235.

"The only way Messi won't catch Cesar is if he leaves here, but we hope he continues for many years,'' Guardiola added.

"If, at 24 years old, he's done what he's done, I can only congratulate him.''

While Barca can pat themselves on the back and look to overhaul Real Betis at the top of the table, Sporting perhaps have a glimmer of hope with their visitors having failed to win away from home so far.

Sporting sit rock bottom of the table but did collect their first point of the season in last week's goalless draw at home to Racing Santander.

Coach Manolo Preciado admits his side will be up against it at El Molinon.

"We have to do everything well and hope Messi and company don't have their best day,'' he admitted.

"That is all we can do. I've spent all week telling the team that 'this is a game to enjoy'.''

Barca are without forward Alexis Sanchez and midfielder Ibrahim Afellay, who both have long-term problems. Captain Carles Puyol is doubtful after injuring his ribs in the midweek thrashing of BATE.

Andres Iniesta is back in training after a hamstring problem but Guardiola is unlikely to throw him straight back into the fray.

Preciado hopes Alberto Botia and David Barral will be fit to keep their places.

Match

[size=8pt]ANOTHER GOAL-FEAST FOR MY DARLING TEAM. MESSI WILL GRAB A HAT-TRICK OR A BRACE TO SAY THE LEAST. [/size]

Barça starting XI: Valdes, Alves, Mascherano, Abidal, Xavi, Busquets, Thiago, Adriano, Pedro, Villa and Messi.

game on!

the game just started; u guys are sharp! !

ADRIANO SCORES!!!!!!!!!!

1 FOR BARCA

Half-time 0-1 Barca.
Lots of missed chances for the Azulgrana as usual. Sporting were very lively, a bit rough even.
But a very good game nonetheless.

Looks like Abidal is injured.

I cant waste my time watching a match dat is already won b4 being played,

Sporting, always a tough nut to crack. Not making life easy for Barca at all.

wats d score

medjai:

Looks like Abidal is injured.

He had an ice pack on his ankle.
Best time for key players to take a knock actually, as per international break.

Take a break, rest and get back to full fitness, and be ready for the next home game in 2 weeks.

I love barca and I knew barca would win this match, Forca barca!!!!

good job barca.