FC Barcelona finds itself in arguably the Champions League Round of 16's most intriguing fixture against AC Milan. One of the most storied sides in European football, Milan will try to capitalize on recent form, fresh faces, and home field advantage Wednesday in one of the sport's great cathedrals—the San Siro.
The Rossoneri are currently enjoying a seven-game unbeaten streak in Serie A, drawing only once away to Cagliari. The campaign got off to a rocky start, yet Milan have improved slightly, though the side still sits in third place, 11 points behind Juventus and six points behind Napoli. Massimo Allegri's squad is only one slip-up away from dropping to sixth at the hands of Lazio, Inter Milan and Fiorentina.
With aging veterans Massimo Ambrosini (35), Phillipe Mexès (30), Daniele Bonera (31), Christian Abbiati (35), Luca Antonini (30) and "Super" Mario Yepes (37), Massimo Allegri's side looks worn compared to the side that forced a scoreless draw at this same stadium at the end of March in the Champions League quarter-final first leg last year. Ambrosini had a terrific evening keeping Lionel Messi quiet in front of Abbiati and the blaugrana had to wait for a clash at the Camp Nou to ensure progression to the semi-finals with a 3-1 victory.
But a fresh faced team has pundits excited. Eleven players who played against Milan last season are history, including Alexandre Pato (Corinthians) and Thiago Silva (PSG). With exciting bursts of creativity this campaign coming from the likes of Kevin Prince-Boateng (25), Giampaolo Pazzini (28), and Stephan El Shaarawy (20), the Italians have plenty to worry the Catalans. Perhaps even a fresh-faced Bojan Krkić (22) could make an impact from the bench.
AC Milan Predicted Starting XI: Abbiati; Abate, Zapata, Mexès, De Sciglio; Montolivo, Ambrosini, Nocerino; Boateng, Pazzini, El Shaarawy
With Tito Vilanova in New York and David Villa in Barcelona, the blaugrana's minimal injuries actually seem quite heavy. Adriano and Eric Abidal also miss out through injury and illness, respectively.
The occasionally suspect backline is practically at full strength with Jordi Alba and Daniel Alves set to bomb the flanks with tricky crosses and overlapping runs. Whether Javier Mascherano gets to start over Carles Puyol is really the only doubt here. Fans can practically taste the return of Abidal, as is being reported by totalBarça and Sport. And while it is important to keep testing La Masia's young defenders like Martin Montoya and Marc Bartra, as analyzed by our very own Eric Coffin-Gould, with such a tie at stake, this is hardly the time to do it.
Possession should be plentiful but hopefully not squandered. Man-marking Messi seems to be the law of the land these days, but hopefully this will open up opportunities for Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro to stretch out and expose Abbiati.
FC Barcelona Predicted Starting XI: Valdes; Alves, Piqué, Puyol, Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Fàbregas; Pedro, Messi, Iniesta
Predicted outcome: Milan is a tough opponent and when left to its own devices, could do a number on Jordi Roura's side. Expect a tough and frustrating battle to take place mostly around Milan's final third. FC Barcelona should come away with the goal advantage.
No comments:
Post a Comment