Preview Head to head Score Prediction AC Milan vs Barcelona Thursday, March 29, 2012 This is the third time the two teams met in the Champions League this season, after both drawn in Group H. At two previous meetings, AC Milan failed to beat Barcelona (a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou, losing 2-3 at San Siro).
AC Milan's strength is somewhat depleted due to the absence of Thiago Silva, who scored a 2-2 draw at the meeting. Thiago certainly can not go down in two meetings with Barcelona because of an injury when Milan face Roma. But the figure of the highlights of course is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who topped the list of Serie A top scorer with 22 goals. Ibrahimovic will face a club that had hurt him throw it to Italy.
Barcelona itself is not without its problems. Defender Eric Abidal was prepared to wait for liver surgery and other reserve left back, Adriano, suffered a thigh muscle injury.
This situation allows the captain Carles Puyol for the return to the left while Gerard Pique will duet with Javier Mascherano in the middle. Pep Guardiola may lower the 3-4-3 formation that has been used to face Milan in the group phase.
Who will be the pair Lionel Messi in attack is uncertain, but Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez may be a starter than Pedro.
Performance away to Barcelona in the Champions League is very consistent. Milan was hit by a storm of injury.
Milan will perform an all-out at the San Siro for the preparation of the second leg at Camp Nou.
Head 2 Head AC Milan vs Barcelona :
November 24, 2011: Milan 2-3 Barcelona (Champions League)
14 Sept 2011: Milan 2-2 Barcelona (Champions League)
AC Milan last 5 games:
March 25, 2012: Milan 2-1 Roma (Serie A)
March 21, 2012: Milan 2-2 Juventus (Coppa Italia)
March 18, 2012: Parma 0-2 Milan (Serie A)
March 11, 2012: Milan 2-0 Lecce (Serie A)
March 7, 2012: Milan 3-0 Arsenal (Champions League)
Barcelona last 5 games:
March 25, 2012: Mallorca 0-2 Barcelona (La Liga)
March 21, 2012: Granada 5-3 Barcelona (La Liga)
March 18, 2012: Sevilla 0-2 Barcelona (La Liga)
March 12, 2012: Racing Santander 0-2 Barcelona (La Liga)
March 8, 2012: Bayer Leverkusen 7-1 Barcelona (Champions League)
Predicted AC Milan vs Barcelona starting XI:
AC Milan: Abbiati, Bonera, Mexes, Nesta, Antonini, Muntari, Boateng, Nocerino, Seedorf, El Shaarawy, Ibrahimovic.
Absent: T. Silva, Robinho, Pato, Cassano, Flamini, Abate, Merkel, Strasser (injury).
Barcelona: Valdes, Puyol, Pique, Alves, Mascherano, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Messi, Alexis.
Absent: Adriano, Abidal, Fontas, D. Villa, Afellay (injury).
