Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone says he expects Lionel Messi to play wide on the right when Barcelona visit the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday for the second leg of Copa del Rey.
Emilio Morenatti AP
APTOPIX Spain Champions League Soccer
Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring 1-0 during the Champions League group H soccer match between Ajax Amsterdam and F.C. Barcelona on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013, at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Even though the former Barca boss, Gerardo Martino, experimented with playing Messi in a wider role, the Argentine has been deployed in a deeper central position on many occasions.
But Simeone believes the 27-year-old will only have a true impact on the Copa del Rey second-leg clash if he is not in a congested central area.
"Barcelona, historically, have a style of play they don't like to change," Simeone told a press conference.
"In the last few games they've moved Messi to the right and put [Luis] Suarez through the middle. I think Neymar feels more comfortable on the left.
"If they want to play well, they need Messi on the right, and I think they will."
Antoine Griezmann, Fernando Torres and the host of Atleti's attackers will be hoping to enjoy a second-leg comeback after a previous 1-0 defeat.