BARCELONA, Spain (AP):

Lionel Messi will chase yet another record when the Champions League returns today from a three-week break. The Argentine is poised to take sole possession of the competition's all-time scoring record just three days after he rewrote the Spanish league's record books.

Messi's brace in Barcelona's 2-0 win at Ajax on November 5 pulled him level with Raul Gonzalez on 71 goals as the joint-top scorers for the Champions League. Messi now hopes to leave Raul behind when Barcelona visit Cypriot side APOEL in Group F.

Breaking major records is what Messi does for a living. He will arrive in Cyprus fresh from his historic hat-trick last Saturday in Barcelona's 5-1 defeat of Sevilla that left him with 253 Spanish league goals - two more than Telmo Zarra's milestone of 251 goals in La Liga, which had stood untouched since 1955.

Messi will have the added pressure of Cristiano Ronaldo on his heels. Ronaldo has scored 70 Champions League goals and Real Madrid visit Basel in Group B on Wednesday.

Madrid, the defending champions, and Barcelona have already qualified for the knockout rounds along with Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and FC Porto.

ON THE BRINK

Manchester City will exit the competition at the group stage for a third time in four attempts to advance unless the English champions beat Bayern and there is a winner in the game between CSKA Moscow and Roma in Group E today.

"We are really lucky to still be in with a chance of qualifying because, with two points and two games left, normally you are out," City midfielder Samir Nasri said. "Now is our chance. We have to take it and play with nothing to lose."

It's been bleak for Liverpool as well, after they lost three out of four games in Group B. Liverpool visit Ludogorets in Bulgaria tomorrow, needing a win and for Madrid to beat Basel so they can stay in the hunt for the next round.

FIGHT FOR FIRST

Atletico Madrid will seek to avenge a 3-2 loss at Olympiakos in their first meeting when they host the Greek side tomorrow with first place in Group A still at stake. Juventus, meanwhile, visit Swedish side Malmo seeking a victory to set up a final group match against Atletico that could decide which goes through first.

"We've got a great team and can get out of our Champions League group, but we must be focused from start to finish," Juventus' Paul Pogba said. Barcelona and PSG can also set up a decider to see which claims first place in Group F if Barcelona win and the French side beat visitors Ajax also today.