A.C. Milan face a tough home leg against Barcelona as the Rossoneri struggle through an injury crisis.
A.C. Milan vs. Barcelona, 2013 UEFA Champions League: Time and TV Schedule
A.C. Milan are ravaged with injuries, but will have to find a way of getting a good result in their home leg against Barcelona at the San Siro.
Claudio Villa
The Italian side will be without several first-team players as they host the Blaugranes, and will likely have to field a makeshift side, with the likes of Philippe Mexes, Giampaolo Pazzini and Sulley Muntari all coming in. They will also face a Barcelona side who have won four and drawn three in their last seven games against Milan - Allegri himself has played them four times without registering a victory.
Given the difficulty of the away leg, a good result here is vital for Milan, but they will need a lot of discipline and luck in order to achieve it. We can probably expect quite a tight game, unless something goes disastrously wrong for either team early on. But apart from anything else, Barcelona are simply a better team - Milan are struggling as it is, and this is a very good time to be playing them.
A.C. Milan injuries and suspensions
Out: Nigel de Jong (ankle), Mario Balotelli (ineligible), Mathieu Flamini (thigh), Antonio Nocerino (thigh), Luca Antonini, Marco Amelia. In doubt: Daniel Bonera (thigh), Robinho (knee), Stephan El Shaarawy (ankle)
Barcelona injuries and suspensions
Out: David Villa (illness), Adriano (hamstring)
Milan's squad is decimated with injuries, with both Flamini and Nocerino, who were likely to start, missing out. Stephan El Shaarawy will likely play on the left, but he will be subject to a late fitness test. Massimiliano Allegri has already named his defence: Ignazio Abate, Philippe Mexes, Cristian Zapata, and Kevin Constant. Read more on Milan's injuries here.
David Villa has not travelled with Barcelona after he was hospitalised following kidney stones, and Adriano is also absent with a hamstring injury. Xavi, however, will return after sitting out two La Liga matches.
Match Date\Time: Wednesday, 8:45 p.m. local, 7:45 p.m. BST, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan, Italy
TV: FOX Soccer Channel (U.S. English), FOX Deportes (U.S. Spanish), Sky Sports 2\HD (U.K.), TVA Sports, Sportsnet Regional (Canada.)
Online: FOX Soccer2Go (U.S.), Sky Go (U.K.)
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