Barcelona travel to Milan tonight on the back of an impressive record against the Italian giants. The two sides met 4 times last season and the Rossoneri failed to win on all the 4 occasions. However, it’s a new season with a reshaped line-up and Milan will have every reason to believe then can overcome the mighty Spaniards.
Barcelona might have the better record, but in the past Milan have proved they can perform when it mattered. A good tactical approach coupled with determination and spirit as suggested by their coach Massimiliano Allegri could help Milan tonight.
Talking to the press ahead if their Champions league encounter with Barca, Allegri said:
Can El Shaarawy and Co stand up against the catalans?“We have to step onto the pitch with the conviction that we can go through to the next round. We have to try and go through and the players know they have to produce something special. I know that we will do well, and then if we are a bit lucky we can hope of making it to the quarter finals.”
“Milan-Barça means we are facing the best team in the world but I do not accept that in the last two weeks everyone has been making us out to be the sacrificial lamb. As long as the rules don’t change then we start the match tomorrow evening in the same position: 0-0. It will be a wonderful night, where the most successful club will be facing the best team in the world. We will give our all and face Barca with courage, strength and spirit.”
It will be a real test for Allegri’s men tonight, as they face the most balanced and talented side in the world, who can change the course of the game completely on a single lapse in concentration. Milan on the other hand are on a transition phase. No doubt they have talents in their squad but it’s no where near to a finished article. When these two sides met last year, even with players like Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mark Van Bommel and Alessandro Nesta in their ranks Milan failed and given that this year’s line-up has all but youngsters Milan could either fail miserably or surprise everyone.
Barcelona on the other hand will line-up pretty much the same players who featured last year only with a new manager Tito Vilanova and a touch more directness in their play. More than Messi, the key players will be the midfielders, so if Xavi who is returning from injury is allowed to start alongside Iniesta, Milan could be in for long night.
Team News:
For Barca Xavi could start the game as the midfielder has recovered from his injury completely. Long term absentee Villa is still recovering from his treatment to kidney stone. Elsewhere, Puyol is expected to start alongside Pique and in the midfield Busquets and Fabregas will start as a part of a three man midfield.
Milan will be without their newly recruited striker Mario Balotelli as he is cup tied and Stephan El Shaarawy, may have to do the job alongside Pazzini. Antonio Nocerino and Mathieu Flamini will miss the game due to injuries while French International Philippe Mexes will return to the staring line-up.
Possible Line-Ups
Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés; Alves, Piqué, Puyol, Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Fàbregas; Pedro, Messi, Iniesta
AC Milan (4-3-3): Abbiati; Abate, Mexes, Zapata, Constant; Montolivo, Nocerino, Ambrosini; Boateng, Pazzini, El Shaarawy
Prediction: 1-2 win for Barcelona.
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