AC Milan will still control their own knockout stage destiny if they fail to get a result at Camp Nou on Wednesday, but they can kiss any chance of winning Group H goodbye. Realistically, Milanistias probably expected a second-placed finish in the group, but will be hoping their side can offer some kind of challenge to Barcelona in the second meeting between the two teams.
Barcelona vs. AC Milan: Preview and TV schedule
La Liga’s best and ... uhh ... a mid-table team from Serie A face off Wednesday as AC Milan attempt to keep Barcelona from opening up a big lead at the top of Group H.
Claudio Villa
Milan did well to deny Barcelona serious goal-scoring opportunities in a 1-1 draw on the Champions League’s first matchday, but the rossoneri went on to draw against Ajax, giving Barcelona a leg-up in the group.
This match could be the last stand for Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri, who has been tiptoeing on thin ice for two and a half years now. Milan have lost to Parma, drawn at home against Lazio and lost to Fiorentina in their last three league matches, sending them into Serie A's bottom half. Allegri might already be gone if there was an obvious replacement lying around, but even Milan's cheap and patient leadership will have to make a change shortly if results don't change.
There are some grumblings that Xavi could start this match on the bench for Barcelona. At 33, he needs an occasional rest, as do his midfield mates Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta. Gerardo Martino has done an excellent job rotating his players this season, and it looks like it could be Xavi's turn to be rotated out.
Barcelona injuries and suspensions
Out: Ibrahim Afellay (thigh), Jordi Alba (hamstring), Isaac Cuenca (knee), Jonathan dos Santos (knee).
AC Milan injuries and suspensions
Out: Matias Silvestre (calf), Daniele Bonera (knee), Mattia De Sciglio (knee), Giampaolo Pazzini (knee), Stephan El Shaarawy (toe)
Projected lineups
Barcelona: Valdes; Adriano, Mascherano, Pique, Alves, Busquets, Fabregas, Iniesta, Alexis, Messi, Neymar.
Milan: Abbiati, Constant, Mexes, Zapata, Abate, De Jong, Poli, Muntari, Montolivo, Kaka, Balotelli
Match Date/Time: Wednesday, 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
TV: FOX Sports 1 (U.S. - English), FOX Deportes (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Sports Red Button (U.K.), Sportsnet 360 (Canada), Sky Calcio 1 (Italy), Canal+ (Spain)
Online: Fox Soccer 2Go (U.S.), Sportsnet World Online (Canada), Sky Go (U.K.)
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