MX23RW : Monday, November 25 17:19:00| >> :120:20230:20230:
[monks data]
Milan logo
Champions League | Round-of-16
Feb 20, 2013 at 7.45pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

2-0

Preview: AC Milan vs. Barcelona

Preview: AC Milan vs. Barcelona
© PA Photos
Sports Mole previews the first leg of the last-16 Champions League clash between AC Milan and Barcelona on Wednesday.

AC Milan will be keen to secure a first-leg advantage when they welcome La Liga leaders Barcelona to the San Siro for their last-16 Champions League clash on Wednesday.

Both sides enter the match in strong form with Milan winning four of their last five fixtures in Serie A to move into third position in the table, but they trail leaders Juventus by 11 points.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have won three of their last five matches in all competitions. That run of form has extended their lead at the top of La Liga to 12 points, while they are also in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.

The last match between these two sides at the San Siro ended in a 0-0 draw in March 2012, but Barcelona were 3-1 winners the last time they welcomed Milan to the Camp Nou in April of the same year.

Milan will be without Mario Balotelli, who is cup-tied, with Giampaolo Pazzini expected to come into the team alongside M'Baye Niang in attack.

Philippe Mexes could also return, but should the Frenchman miss out then Mario Yepes will continue in the middle of the defence.

Barcelona midfielder Xavi is still struggling with fitness, but is expected to take his place in a three-man midfield alongside Sergio Busquets and Cesc Fabregas.

Carlos Puyol should also start in defence alongside Gerard Pique, but David Villa is expected to miss out as he continues his recovery from kidney stones.

Recent form:

Milan: WWWDW
Barcelona: WDDWW

Possible lineups:

Milan: Abbiati; De Sciglio, Zapata, Yepes, Abate; Nocerino, Boateng, Montolivo, Constant; Niang, Pazzini

Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Puyol, Alba; Busquets, Fabregas, Xavi; Iniesta, Messi, Pedro

Sports Mole says: 1-2


ID:69944: cacheID:69944:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4412:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Milan striker Mario Balotelli celebrates a goal against Parma on February 15, 2013
Read Next:
Galliani hails Balotelli
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool440012
2Sporting Lisbon431010
3Brest431010
4Inter Milan431010
5Monaco431010
6Barcelona43019
7Dortmund43019
8Aston Villa43019
9Atalanta42208
10Juventus42117
11Lille42117
12Man City42117
13Arsenal42117
14B. Leverkusen42117
15Celtic42117
16Dinamo Zagreb42117
17AC Milan42026
18Bayern42026
19Benfica42026
20Feyenoord42026
21Real Madrid42026
22Brugge42026
23Atletico42026
24PSV41215
25Sparta Prague41124
26Stuttgart41124
27PSG41124
28Shakhtar41124
29Girona41033
30Salzburg41033
31Bologna40131
32RB Leipzig40040
33Sturm Graz40040
34Young Boys40040
35Red Star40040
36Slovan Bratislava40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!