Do or die for Champions League holders as they host stubborn Italian giants
Camp Nou — Barcelona
Team News
Barcelona
Barcelona look set to be without their pass-master Xavi for the visit of
AC Milan. He came off the bench in their last game but is reportedly
struggling ahead of this one, so thiago Alcantara could play again. Carlos Puyol may return to the starting lineup after being rested for
the win over Athletic Bilbao at the weekend. He is the only Barca player
who has the worry of a yellow card incurring a suspension for the
second leg. Adriano and Fabregas have both returned from injury and could start. If
Adriano does, then the returning Puyol could play in the centre
alongside Pique.
probable lineups : Valdes, Puyol, Mascherano, Pique, Alves, Alcantara, Busquets, Iniesta, Fabregas, Messi, Sancez, (4-3-3).
AC Milan
AC Milan have Mark van Bommel to add to their absentee list. The
dutchman was suspended for the first leg but has since picked up an
injury in training and missed the draw at Catania at the weekend. He
will not be back to face Barca. That injury adds to Milan's defensive woes, as they are still without
Thiago Silva at centre back, so Alessandro nesta should play once again. They do, though, have Alexandre Pato back to provide some competition up
front. The Brazilian scored when these sides met at the Nou Camp
earlier in the season and could play a part once again. Nesta, Nocerino and Ambrosini are all one yellow away from a suspension. Gattuso has returned to training and was on the bench at the weekend,
but was not named in the Champions League squad for the second half of
the season, as the club were not sure if he would return in time to
feature.
probable lineups : Abbiati, Bonera, Mexes, Nesta, Antonini, Nocerino, Seedorf, Ambrosini, Boateng, Ibrahimovic, Robinho. (4-3-2-1).
Head to Head
Match Facts
Barcelona are undefeated in their last 15 matches in UEFA Champions League.
Barcelona have drawn their last 3 home matches against AC Milan in all competitions.
Barcelona have been drawing at both half time and full time in their last 3 home matches against AC Milan in all competitions.
Barcelona
| Mar 28, 2012 | Olympique de Marseille 0 - FC Bayern München 2 | UCL |
| Mar 24, 2012 | OGC Nice 1 - Olympique de Marseille 1 | FRA1 |
| Mar 20, 2012 | Quevilly Us 3 - Olympique de Marseille 2 | FRAC |
| Mar 17, 2012 | Olympique de Marseille 1 - Dijon FCO 2 | FRA1 |
| Mar 13, 2012 | FC Internazionale 2 - Olympique de Marseille 1 | UCL |
AC Milan| Mar 31, 2012 | Catania 1 - AC Milan 1 | ITA1 |
| Mar 28, 2012 | AC Milan 0 - FC Barcelona 0 | UCL |
| Mar 24, 2012 | AC Milan 2 - Roma 1 | ITA1 |
| Mar 20, 2012 | Juventus 2 - AC Milan 2 | ITAC |
| Mar 17, 2012 | Parma 0 - AC Milan 2 | ITA1 |
| UEFA Champions League | Mar 28, 2012 | AC Milan 0 - FC Barcelona 0 | |
| UEFA Champions League | Nov 23, 2011 | AC Milan 2 - FC Barcelona 3 | |
| UEFA Champions League | Sep 13, 2011 | FC Barcelona 2 - AC Milan 2 | |
| Club Friendlies (FR) | Aug 25, 2010 | FC Barcelona 3 - AC Milan 2 |
Prediction
The goalless draw in the first leg will have suited AC Milan more than
it will Barcelona. The Catalans failed to score an away goal, and a
strike for Milan here may well prove crucial. The Italians managed a 2-2
draw at the Nou Camp when the sides met in the group stage of this
season's Champions League, and a repeat of that result would be enough
to see them through.
However, Barcelona have only conceded in one of their last 6 matches, so
Milan will have to be at their best if they are to score at all this
time around. Barcelona have also only failed win 1 of their last 11
matches in all competitions and have won all but 3 of their 24 home
matches this season. The home side are undoubtedly favourites to win.
Meanwhile, Milan's only loss in their last 12 matches was their last
away match in the Champions League - a 3-0 loss at Arsenal in the second
leg of the previous round. They will surely not make the same mistakes
here, and will look to keep the game tight, stifling Barcelona's
attackers, as they did at the San Siro in the first leg. They will then
hope to hit Barcelona on the break or at a set piece, and grab a vital
away goal. However, stopping Barcelona from scoring twice whilst also
trying to nick a goal is an incredibly difficult task and probably just
too much for Milan to manage.
Barcelona 2 - 1 AC Milan
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