What: Champions League – Group H
Who: AC Milan vs Barcelona
When: Wednesday 23rd November, 2011, at 19:45 UK time
Where: Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro), Milan, Italy
Unanswered Questions
AC Milan vs Barcelona will naturally impose itself as the game to watch on matchday five of the UEFA Champions League 2011/12 season. With the home team trailing the best club side in the world by a mere two points, the Italians have a chance to topple Barcelona at the San Siro, knowing that a final fixture for each club remains in two weeks’ time.
Against Fiorentina at the weekend, the reigning Serie A champions were expected to demonstrate their preparedness as they had the crunch game with Barcelona well in sight. In the end though, Massimiliano Allegri’s side could only leave Tuscany with a goalless draw, a result that the coach himself rued as he cited the lack of a finishing touch: “The players played a good match, a good first half. Maybe we could have done better in the area. Disappointed not to have won especially after having technically played a very good game. Come Wednesday, we’ll have to pull together and accept the choices because it’ll be like a final.”, declared Allegri.
Having drawn their two away games so far in the Champions League, Milan’s precarious form on the road makes them obliged to win this clash should they want to top the group and qualify with the knowledge that they will avoid some of Europe’s best sides in the knockout phase. Against an in-form Barcelona, this is Milan’s hardest task so far.
Minor Hiccups
Just when it seemed that Barcelona were losing their momentum, Josep Guardiola’s team hit back at their detractors, leaving another side to pick up the pieces of the Red and Blue storm. The victims this time were poor Real Zaragoza, who suffered a 4-0 drubbing at the Camp Nou. However, Barcelona know all too well that it will take much more to overcome their Milanese hosts here.
One player who is currently enjoying himself is team captain Carles Puyol. The skipper missed most of the previous campaign due to injury, returning just recently to the heart of his hometown club’s defence and the Spanish national side.
Speaking after the Zaragoza game, Puyol stated that the match against Milan is highly anticipated, saying that his team’s task will not be an easy one: “They have many players that can make a difference, so we have to work hard to try to win", said the defender.
A win at the San Siro over Milan would be another positive step in what Guardiola hopes will be perfect preparation for Barcelona as the Catalans prepare to travel to the Spanish capital to face Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on 10th December. With Clasico fever reaching its greatest heights in recent times, Los Cules need to be at their best to keep their dominance over Real Madrid intact.
Recent form
AC Milan:
BATE Borisov 1-1 AC Milan (01/11; Champions League)
AC Milan 4-0 Catania (06/11; Serie A)
Fiorentina 0-0 AC Milan (19/11; Serie A)
Barcelona:
Athletic Bilbao 2-2 Barcelona (06/11; La Liga)
L’Hospitalet 0-1 Barcelona (09/11; Copa del Rey)
Barcelona 4-0 Real Zaragoza (19/11; La Liga)
Key absences
AC Milan: Philippe Mexes (doubt); Antonio Cassano; Gennaro Gattuso; Mathieu Flamini
Barcelona: Adriano; Ibrahim Afellay; Daniel Alves (suspended)
Players to watch
AC Milan – Zlatan Ibrahimovic: No player will be more motivated on the night than Ibrahimovic. The Swede is a hated figure in Barcelona now after recent criticism of Guardiola in his autobiography. If there is one Milan player capable of destabilising Barcelona, it is him.
Barcelona – David Villa: The man who was brought to replace Ibrahimovic at the Camp Nou is enduring a tough time at the moment, finding himself more often than not on the bench. Having found his scoring boots against Zaragoza though, Villa will hope for more of the same against Milan.
Match Prediction
Milan held out the last time the two met, scoring during the first and final minute. Their luck has faded since then, while Barcelona keep producing the goods in the Champions League. However, the Rossoneri will be more comfortable at the San Siro, where they will be able to slice out yet another draw. AC Milan 2-2 Barcelona.
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