Champions League preview: Barcelona v AC Milan

Only a win will do for Barcelona when
they host AC Milan at the Camp Nou in
their Champions League quarter-final
second leg on Wednesday.
The holders looked lethargic in the sides’
goalless draw at the San Siro a week ago
and while Lionel Messi and co could not
manoeuvre their way around Milan’s
miserly defence, many at the club blamed
a pitch described as ‘unacceptable’ for
the result.
Now, in the safe confines of the Cam Nou
with an ‘even’ pitch, there will be no
excuses for Pep Guardiola’s side, who
have won 17 consecutive games at home.
Curiously, the last time they were held in front
of their faithful was back in September of last
year, in the Champions League group stage, –
against AC Milan.
A score draw is all Serie A leaders Milan need in
Spain, but they will need to find a result without
key defensive pillars Thiago Silva and Mark van
Bommel, who are both injured.
For Barcelona, Carlos Puyol, rested in their 2-0
win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday and used in
a left-back role in the first leg, will undoubtedly
return to the side on Wednesday while Cesc
Fabregas is also available.
“We’ve dealt with it and today he (Fabregas) was
better. So, even though we were forced to leave
him out he will be there against Milan on
Tuesday,” Guardiola said after the Bilbao match.
Barcelona still have faint hopes of reining in La
Liga leaders Real Madrid but will be otherwise
preoccupied as they attempt to win back-to-back
Champions Leagues.
Jose Mourinho’s men were in formidable form in
their 5-1 win over Osasuna on Saturday that
arrested two straight losses but with the El
Classico yet to be played, Barcelona remain in
the hunt.
Massimiliano Allegri’s plan to stifle Barcelona
worked a treat in the first leg, with veteran
Alessandro Nesta and Daniel Bonera, in
particular, hard to breach in defence.
Doing that again will be a tough ask as few sides
have been able to keep Barcelona’s attacking
armoury at the Camp Nou at bay for long.
In the Serie A, Milan threw away a 1-0 lead
against Catania to eventually draw 1-1 and see
their four-game winning streak come to a halt.
Former Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will
be the key for Milan with his strength and power
making him unplayable at times.