The whole of Italy will be rooted to their seats on February 20, 2013 as AC Milan and FC Barcelona square off for the first leg of the knockout stage in the Champions League at the San Siro Stadium at 1945 GMT.
Barcelona will come into this game as obvious favorites. But Milan hasn’t lost a game in the last 7 matches that they have played. It would be too soon to write them off. This encounter promises to be an absolute nail biter.
AC Milan is Italy’s most successful club in Champions League. The seven time European Champions, AC Milan, have failed to make it past the quarterfinal stage in the last six years and will be keen to make amends to this record.
AC Milan will hope that youngster El Shaarawy, will be fit for the 1st leg. The sensational Italian is recovering from a swollen knee tendon. Striker Giampaolo Pazzini has recovered from a thigh injury while ex-Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli will be unavailable as he is cup-tied. Players are allowed to represent only one team in a season in all UEFA tournaments.
The Catalans, who are sitting at the top of the Spanish League table with a 12-point lead, will look to play their normal, amazing to watch, sensual tiki-taka football. Barcelona has been boosted with the return of midfield maestro Xavi. Barcelona has reached the semi-final stage on three occasions in the last five seasons.
David Villa and Adriano have been left out of the squad due to injury, while youngster Oier Olazabal is a new addition to the squad. Barcelona is coming off a string massive home and away wins, but has won only two of their last four games where points were dropped against weaker teams. Barcelona will come all guns blazing into this tie.
Milan has a weak defense and will need to work hard to keep Lionel Messi and company at bay, as away goals play a crucial part in the tournament. Beating Barcelona will prove to be an uphill task as statistics show that this is the worst offensive record for Milan since 1986
Barcelona beat Milan in last years Champions League 3-1 on aggregate and will be eager for a similar performance this time round.
Expected Line-up: Milan: Abbiati, Constant, Zapata, Mexes, Abate, Montolivo, Ambrosini, Nocerino, Boateng, Pazzini, El Shaarawy
Barcelona: Valdes, Alves, Pique, Puyol, Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas, Pedro, Messi, Iniesta
Prediction: AC Milan 1-2 Barcelona