FC Barcelona will need all of their stars firing tonight if they hope to rescue a UEFA Champions League tie that has an AC Milan victory written all over it. Join us for live scores and commentary from 6.45am AEDT.
It has been a difficult past few weeks for Barcelona and they will really need to produce something special, even by their high standards, to progress to the quarter-finals stage.
The La Liga giants face an in-form Milan outfit that completely outplayed the Blaugrana at the San Siro three weeks ago en route to a 2-0 victory.
Since that result, Barcelona has struggled to score goals and create chances in their recent defeats to great rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey and in La Liga.
Despite getting back to winning ways against Deportivo La Coruna on the weekend, Barcelona still struggled to create chances and will get no favours tonight from a Milan unit that possesses the potential to open their opponents right up on the counter attack.
Prediction
Whether Barcelona progresses or not tonight will largely hinge on the performance from superstar forward Lionel Messi.
Although Andres Iniesta and Xavi will also play vital roles, it is Messi that invariably sparks Barcelona to life in attack and if he can score early, the Argentine possesses the potential to take this tie away from Milan in the blink of an eye.
But Milan are proven masters of shutting down Messi, effectively nullifying the Argentine’s threat at the San Siro by putting three players on him at once.
Riccardo Montolivo, Christian Zapata, Kevin Constant, Ignazio Abate and Massimo Ambrosini were superb defensively in the first leg and will be confident of shutting down Messi yet again tonight.
The loss of Philippe Mexes to injury is a blow to Milan given the Frenchman’s terrific form, but the Serie A giants always possess terrific depth in defence with Daniele Bonera also capable of doing the job at the back.
With Barcelona needing to chase the game, Milan will calmly sit back and let the hosts dictate possession knowing full well that any slip up from the home side will result in a costly away goal.
Milan attackers Kevin-Prince Boateng, Stephan El Shaarawy and Abate caused enormous havoc on the counter attack against Barcelona in the first leg and will fancy their chances of finding the net against a Barcelona defence that lacks speed.
Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique will most likely station themselves high up the pitch for Barcelona tonight in a bid to win back possession quickly.
Such a tactic may play right into Milan’s hands so it would be wise for the Spanish defenders to show the respect Milan’s forwards deserve and sit a little deeper than usual.
All things considered, Milan on form just appears too stable defensively for Barcelona to break down tonight.
Barcelona will certainly ask questions at home and may even win the match, but the Serie A giants possess more than enough class to score the crucial away goal they need to secure a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Barcelona to win 2-1, Milan to progress on away goals.
MV Dave
Guest
Is there a greater sight in world sport than 99,000 at the Camp Nou watching Barcelona in full flight?
King Robbo
Guest
O dio....was all over after that early messi goal.
Alan
Roar Guru
Great prediction alfonce. You would give Tom Waterhouse a run for his money.
Greg
Guest
Dear Alfonce... what are your picks for the weekend..? Also who will win the next world cup and did you really turn water into wine? And how?
Greg
Guest
Another planet... what a game. Got to have a gripe though... 1. I can't stand the English commentator who is just overtly negative all the bloody time. He always points out the bad aspects of play.. and hardly ever the positive ones.. unless it is plainly obvious. He does my head in! There should be an option to turn commentators off and just hear the crowd/game.. 2. Piss off Tom Waterhouse.
Alan
Roar Guru
Barcelona become the first team in history to overcome a 2-0 goal deficit and progress. Barcelona produced everything they needed tonight to progress against Milan when the odds were stacked against them. Barcelona had their backs against the wall and have been playing poorly but rose to the occasion tonight with Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and Alves the pick of the attackers tonight. Messi in particular stood up when he needed to and continues to certify his status as the game;s best footballer with a clutch performance. Barca though were very shaky in defence and Milan will rue the miss by Niang in the first half when he hit the post one one with Valdez. What a miss that was! It cost Milan the tie and the Serie A giants may fall apart now in their domestic competition after this heartbreaking defeat. Thanks for joining us for his history making tie and join us next time on The Roar! Barcelona 4 Milan 0
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: It has been a one sided contest tonight but its been a nerve-wracking one regardless for both sides. Barcelona will go through and Milan are heartbroken! Barcelona 4 Milan 0
Alan
Roar Guru
GOAL BARCELONA - Alba scores on the counter attack and Barca have completed mission impossible!!!!! They are through! Barcelona 4 Milan 0
Alan
Roar Guru
91' - Milan win the freekick now in the midfield and the Serie A giants with time against them now. Niang's miss the difference tonight thus far Barcelona 3 Milan 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Three minutes to be added on here. Constant does well to win a big challenge in the area and Milan win the throw deep in their own half now Barcelona 3 Milan 0
Alan
Roar Guru
90' - Iniesta now with possession. Adriano out wide delivers to Messi but Zapata clears. Boateng does well but his pass to Robinho is called back for offside Barcelona 3 Milan 0
Alan
Roar Guru
89' - Barca with possession as Adriano attacks and finds Alves who wins the corner after his shot is blocked. Not sure Barca will commit numbers to this corner. Barcelona 3 Milan 0
Alan
Roar Guru
88' - Milan build from the back and are enjoying their best passage of the game 3-0 down. They are searching for that crucial away goal. Barcelona 3 Milan 0
Alan
Roar Guru
87' - Pique clears now yet again as Bojan produces a nice delivery but Barca win the freekick but continue to really live dangerously in defence Barcelona 3 Milan 0
Alan
Roar Guru
87' - Messi with possession now and tries to play one two football but Milan get the numbers back and regroup Barcelona 3 Milan 0
Alan
Roar Guru
86' - Milan dominating possession now as Barca try to hold on. They have been completely outplayed but are still alive. Barca clear and Milan win the throw Barcelona 3 Milan 0
Alan
Roar Guru
85' - Time running out for Milan here as they attack now and nearly open up Barca again but Alba clears just in time Barcelona 3 Milan 0
Alan
Roar Guru
84' - Barca win another freekick in a dangerous area here as Xavi just plays on with possession. Barcelona 3 Milan 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Pedro comes off for Adriano. Barca minutes away from securing a tremendous win against the odds. Milan though very capable of changing things Barcelona 3 Milan 0
Alan
Roar Guru
82' - Valdez clears now for Barca but Pique continues to produce heart in the mouth play in possession. Just clear it son! Barcelona 3 Milan 0