Match Day Update - Mar 13 15:00 EST
Champions League Starting XI confirmed for Barça vs Milan.
FC BARCELONA:
Valdés; Piqué, Mascherano, Alba, Alves; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Villa & Pedro.
AC MILAN:
Abiatti; Abate, Mexes, Zapata, Constant; Ambrosini; Montolivo, Boateng, Flamini, Niang; & El Shaarawy.
FC Barcelona will be looking to overturn a two-goal deficit when they entertain AC Milan in what promises to be a hotly-contested UEFA Champions League Round of 16 stage second leg at Camp Nou on Tuesday.
Barcelona, who were outplayed in their 2-0 defeat to Milan at the San Siro in the first leg, understand that they have one foot out of the competition, and for this reason will have to be at their very best form in order to overcome Milan and essentially reach the following stage of Europe's biggest club competition.
With three defeats from their last five outings in all competitions, including two painful losses to arch-rivals Real Madrid, Barcelona have definitely seen better times, but if they intend to beat Milan they must put this behind themselves and completely focus on the challenge ahead.
Barcelona's stand-in coach, Jordi Roura, is more than aware that the Catalans face a complicated task, but will be delighted with the news that key playmaker Xavi has recovered from a thigh injury and will be available for selection.
With a full-strength squad at his disposal, which includes FIFA World Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi, who incidentally just needs one more goal to overtake Ruud van Nistelrooy's record of 56 goals to become the second-highest scorer in Champions League history, the coach should still believe in his side's chances of progressing.
Rivals Milan will fancy their chances of scoring an away goal at Camp Nou, that would practically assure them of qualification to the quarter-finals, but with numerous players unavailable through injury the Rossoneri don't count with too many viable options up front.
With Giampaolo Pazzini out injured after suffering a micro-fracture to his fibula in the win over Genoa last Friday, and Mario Balotelli cup-tied, much pressure lies on the shoulders of talented youngster Stephan El Shaarawy.
The striker is expected to be partnered in the attack by M'Baye Niang, while Bojan Krkic and Robinho are other possible attacking alternatives.
Meanwhile, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Philippe Mexes are carrying minor injuries, but should be fully recovered just in time for what is without any doubt Milan's most important match of the season so far.
Barcelona's last four matches
Mar 9, 2013: Barcelona 2-0 Deportivo (La Liga)
Mar 2, 2013: Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona (La Liga)
Feb 26, 2013: Barcelona 1-3 Real Madrid (Copa del Rey)
Feb 23, 2013: Barcelona 2-1 Sevilla (La Liga)
Milan's last four matches
Mar 8, 2013: Genoa 0-2 Milan (Serie A)
Mar 2, 2013: Milan 3-0 Lazio (Serie A)
Feb 24, 2013: Inter 1-1 Milan (Serie A)
Feb 20, 2013: Milan 2-0 Barcelona (UEFA Champions League)
Facts
- Barcelona are currently unbeaten in their last 19 Champions League encounters at Camp Nou, with 15 wins and 4 draws.
- Milan have yet to taste defeat in the Serie A in 2013, with 7 wins and 3 draws in Italian soccer's top-flight.
Scenario
With their 2-0 win at the San Siro, if Milan score one goal, Barcelona will have to score at least four to progress. Possible scores and the eventual winner are below.
Barcelona 3-1 Milan (Milan advance)
Barcelona 3-0 Milan (Barcelona advance)
Barcelona 4-2 Milan (Milan advance)
Barcelona 5-2 Milan (Barcelona advance)
