March 28, 2012 2:45 PM EDT
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza — Milano
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This Wednesday without a doubt is playing the most exciting game of the Champions league of the week.Two European giants face off,while the rest of us will enjoy watching amazing skills,of Xavi,Iniesta,Messi,Ibrahimovic and so on.Defintely a big game for both teams.These two teams already met this year in group stage of Champions league,providing nine goals,and much of tactical interest.
Group stage match that were played in Italy,at San Siro finished with a 2-2 draw .It was a match where Italian giant had a bit of luck as they score in first and last minute,and the rest of game being without real chances on their side.However,this is a new match,and Milan looks more determined than before,and they are pushed with confidence from Seria A league,where they are a big favorites of wining it.Curently they are standing four points above Juventus,with just nine matches left to end.After group stage,Milan got London´ s Arsenal which they managed to pass thankfully for 4-0 win at San Siro.
The second match was all about Arsenal,and they were lucky to pass on the aggregate 4-3.Their first goalscorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in an excellent form,but important defender thiago Silva is out like their striker Pato ,so it wont be easy task for them just reliaing on Ibrahimovic.
FC Barcelona in on the great run of form,with seven straight win ( last one on away match against Mallorca 2-0 video) they close the gap to Real Madrid to six points,and they still need to play at Nou Camp with them.Barcelona absence are long term David Villa and Abidal,while Xavi will return to lineup.Barca ability to keep the ball will give them a lots of advantage in this match,but AC Milan is playing deadly counterattacks this season so it would be match joy to watch.However,Barca is favorite in this match,and it would be interesting to see how Serie A title runners are going to respond to Spaniards tika-taka play.
What they are saying…
AC Milan manager , Allegri is ready for Barcelona
AC Milan, Abbiati :
“I am perfectly aware that I will have in front of me the best player in the world,” Abbiati said. “With a player like him, you can only analyse his free-kicks and penalties as the rest of his game is unpredictable because he is a complete player.”
“It’s not going to be a battle between me and Messi,” he said. “Barcelona is not just Messi and hence, we will not only focus on him. They are a complete team.”
“In the group stages we played two very good games,” Abbiati said. “We did suffer a little bit in Barcelona.
“Our reference game, besides the result, will be the return leg we played in Milan.”
“Barca create 20 goalscoring opportunities per game, hence we will have to be smart and make the most of our chances,” he said.
Barcelona , Victor Valdes :
“Despite those absences, they are still a great team,” he said. “They are going through a good spell and they are always dangerous.
“We know that from our previous meetings against them this season.”
Milan Probable starting line-up (4-3-1-2): Abbiati – Zambrotta, Nesta, Mexes, Mesbah – Nocerino, Seedorf, Aquilani – Boateng – Ibrahimovic, Robinho.
Barcelona Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Valdes – Dani Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Puyol – Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta – Sanchez, Messi, Fabregas.
Prediction: Despite AC Milan is having some injury problems,home pitch is a big deal,even Barca is favourite in this game.However,to enjoy this football match,we recomend just playing over 2,5 goals.Great odd is at Bet365