Javi Martinez hopes Lionel Messi is fit for Champions League semis

Bayern Munich midfielder Javi Martinez has insisted that it would be "good news for football" if Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is fit to face his side in the Champions League semi-finals.

Messi came off the bench to play a big role in Pedro's equaliser against Paris Saint-Germain that saw Barca through to the last four, and he is expected to be fit enough to start against Bayern.

Martinez has said that Bayern want to test themselves against the very best that Barca have to offer.

"We already know in the dressing room who we're going to face," he told AS. "It's going to be very difficult.

"I've been unfortunate enough to face them a fair few times. It's important to press and not give them time to think. In under a second they'll score against you.

"[Messi is] the best in world and nearly of all time. We'll need to pay close attention to him. We want to be in the final and if we can beat them when they are all there, so much the better. It looks like Leo is going to recover in time and that's good news for football."

The first leg of the semi-final takes place on Tuesday night.