Defending champions FC Barcelona face familiar foe AC Milan in what should be a cracking Champions League quarter-final at the San Siro. Join us for live scores and blog from 5:30am AEDT.
If their 4-0 victory over Arsenal at home is any indication, AC Milan will provide Barcelona with their biggest test thus far in the Champions League.
Both sides have already met during the group stages, with Milan managing a draw at the Camp Nou before Barcelona emerged with a 3-2 victory at the San Siro.
Milan in particular will be desperate to take a lead to Spain, given Barcelona’s supreme dominance at the Camp Nou.
With that in mind, expect Milan to come out with an attacking mindset and put Barcelona under significant pressure.
Barcelona on the other hand will look to once again monopolise possession and probe for any chinks in Milan’s defence.
Given Barcelona’s home form, Milan will be equally careful not to concede any away goals here, as it could easily jeopardise their chances of progressing to the semi-finals.
Milan’s chances tonight will rest on the performances of star attacking duo Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kevin-Prince Boateng.
Ibrahimovic is in fine goal scoring touch, scoring 29 goals thus far in all competitions. However, the Swedish international has often been criticised for failing to perform consistently in big matches.
After starring in Milan’s Arsenal win, Ibrahimovic was very quiet in the return leg as the Premier League giants secured a 3-0 victory. In short, Ibrahimovic has to perform tonight if Milan is a hope of securing a vital first leg lead against Barcelona.
Boateng is the trump card for Milan. The Ghanaian international has scored some cracking goals thus far in the Champions League and is capable of tearing Barcelona apart with an inspired piece of skill.
While Milan’s attack will cause Barcelona some problems, their defence has been significantly weakened due to the injury to Brazilian fullback Thiago Silva and the suspension of Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel.
If containing the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi wasn’t difficult enough, Milan will have to do it without two of their best defensive players.
Messi in particular will cause havoc for the Serie A outfit. The Argentine only needs one more goal to break the record for a Champions League season.
Even if Messi doesn’t score, the Barcelona maestro is equally capable of turning provider for forward partners Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas.
Although Milan are certainly capable of scoring some goals here, Barcelona’s creativity and firepower in attack should allow them to secure a tight but vital away victory.
Barcelona to win 2-1.
Alan
Roar Guru
Thanks for following mumtaz
mumtaz
Guest
well many thanks as i am the fan of good footballing matches and atmosphare you kept me informed with your good skilsof live coverage in written commentary,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
John
Guest
Its a great opportunity for barca to havedrew this game with ac milan.this is going to be a very dangerous game for ac milan during the second legat san siro.bt above all i wish barca good luck.
Alan
Roar Guru
Well Milan will be satisfied with that effort. They thwarted Barcelona's attack very well and Xavi, Iniesta and Messi's influence was kept at a minimum tonight. Bar some good late chances for Barcelona, they looked ordinary in attack for the first time in many moons. Credit however must be given to Milan who defended brilliantly despite making do without key duo Van Bommel and Silva. Pato in attack was also missing. Upfront, Ibrahimovic and Boateng had quite games despite having good chances in the first half to score. Overall, Milan held their own at home very well and Barcelona have some homework to do if they are to crack this tactically sound Milan defence. Seedorf, Ambrosini and Bonera were my stand out players for Milan as they held their own in defence against a talented Barcelona team. Its all to play for now in the second leg in Spain and keep in mind that Milan now need only a score draw to get through. Thanks for joining us for this live blog and we look forward to your company next time on The Roar. FULLTIME: Milan 0 Barcelona 0
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Milan 0 Barcelona 0
Alan
Roar Guru
92' - Barcelona win back possession deep in Milan territory. Xavi then shoots low but it goes wide. Goalkick for Milan. Milan 0 Barcelona 0
Alan
Roar Guru
91' - Three minutes to be added on here as Milan win the throw. Keep in mind that Milan are without key players Van Bommel, Silva and Pato. They have played very well here defensively.
Alan
Roar Guru
90' - Milan are slowly but surely securing the draw here. Barca have not been at their best here and that's due to Milan's great defence. Milan 0 Barcelona 0
Alan
Roar Guru
89' - Barcelona came so close there but Milan continue to hold out well. Barcelona will have to contend with a 0 all draw here. Milan 0 Barcelona 0
Alan
Roar Guru
CHANCE - Milan get out of jail here as Antonini produces a heroic block on the line. Big moment there for Milan. Milan 0 Barcelona 0
Alan
Roar Guru
87' - Ambrosini with the foul on Pedro and Barcelona can rebuild from the back. Barcelona however have not looked lively in the second half here. Messi has been very quite. Milan 0 Barcelona 0
Alan
Roar Guru
85' - Despite the attacking talent on show here, both teams haven't looked like scoring in the second half. Defence really dominating at the moment. Milan 0 Barcelona 0
Alan
Roar Guru
85' - Ambrosini has also been solid for Milan here as he is fouled. Milan five minutes away from taking a valuable goalless draw to Spain. Milan 0 Barcelona 0
Alan
Roar Guru
83' - Xavi loses possession and Milan continue to hold out well here. Barcelona however are starting to dominate possession but they lose the football shortly after. Puyol with the foul and Milan get out of trouble. Milan 0 Barcelona 0
Jason J.
Guest
From your view who is the dominating team so far?
Alan
Roar Guru
82' - Barcelona regain possession here and they have decided to up the tempo abit. Xavi with the football now but he is forced to pass backwards. Great pressure from Milan. Milan 0 Barcelona 0
Alan
Roar Guru
CHANCE - Tello has been lively in the second half as he beats his man but is then thwarted by a good save from Abbiati. Abbiati has also been very solid for Milan here. Milan 0 Barcelona 0
Alan
Roar Guru
80' - There is a big stalemate here at the moment. Neither side look like breaking through for a goal here. Milan 0 Barcelona 0
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Milan with possession now but Barca apply some pressure of their own as Valdes regains the football here. Not much happening at the moment. Milan 0 Barcelona 0
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Puyol with the header but it goes wide and the stalemate continues. Barcelona look like being held goalless here for the first time in many moons. Milan 0 Barcelona 0