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Messi celebrates scoring for Barcelona during the week. Andres Kudacki/AP/Press Association Images
European Football

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Barcelona are on the road, Monaco try to keep up with PSG and Clarence Seedorf takes charge of AC Milan for the first time.

Ligue 1: Toulouse v Monaco

Tomorrow, 4pm

While Paris Saint-Germain will look to underline their superiority over the rest of Ligue 1 with a win when they play host to Nantes at the Parc des Princes on Sunday night, second-placed Monaco are also in action earlier that day, when they travel to face mid-table Toulouse looking for a first win in three Ligue 1 outings.

Claudio Ranieri’s side, who announced the signing of Nigerian defender Elderson Echiejile from Braga yesterday, will be hoping to close the five-point gap on PSG after a 1-1 draw away to Montpellier last time out.

On TV? BT Sport 1

La Liga: Levante v Barcelona

Tomorrow, 6pm

Barcelona will be without forward Neymar when Gerardo Martino’s side continue their pursuit of a second successive La Liga title at Levante.

The Brazil international suffered sprained ankle tendons in a 2-0 Copa del Rey victory at Getafe on Thursday night and will be sidelined for three to four weeks.

Neymar’s absence is a blow for the Spanish champions, but with Lionel Messi firing on all cylinders again Barca will be expected to complete a sixth consecutive win over Levante on Sunday.

The Argentina captain scored twice at Getafe, having also scored a brace in the first leg, as Martino’s team cruised to a 6-0 aggregate win to set up a quarter-final clash with their opponents on Sunday.

Messi’s sublime second goal proved he is getting back to his best, as he showed a sharp turn of pace to set off on a trademark run before producing a clinical finish, and he is set to make his first La Liga start for over two months this weekend.

On TV? Sky Sports 2

Serie A: AC Milan v Verona

Tomorrow, 7.45pm

Clarence Seedorf’s first game in charge of Milan sees sixth-placed Verona visit San Siro.

The former Netherlands international was confirmed on Thursday as the new first-team coach of the Italian giants.

Seedorf, who has penned a two-and-a-half year deal, can expect a rapturous reception from the Milan faithful, having spent a decade at the club during his illustrious playing career before joining Brazilian side Botafogo in 2012.

Milan turned to the 37-year-old former midfielder after sacking Massimiliano Allegri on the back of a 4-3 defeat at struggling Sassuolo last weekend.

Seedorf has no previous experience of coaching, as he only announced his decision to retire and end his spell at Botafogo earlier this week in order to succeed Allegri.

The Milan legend has been thrown in at the deep end, with the team 11th in Serie A and six points above the relegation zone.

Milan won two Serie A titles and were twice crowned European champions during Seedorf’s playing days at the club, but he faces a major challenge to restore them to their former glories.

On TV? BT Sports 1

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