AC Milan vs Barcelona:
Tuesday, October 22, 2013 2:45 PM EDT - 6:45 pm (GMT) & 12:15 am (IST)
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro)
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro)
Referee: F. Brych
In the Serie A, AC Milan have only posted eleven points after eight
matches with just a plus one goal difference. So things aren’t going
great for them, but they won on the weekend as a build up for this one,
beating Udinese 1-0. Anywya, they’re already 13 points off the
pace-setters Roma who have made a sensational start to the season.
Still, injuries mean the Rossoneri will not be at full strength in the
toughest fixture of the Group Stage.
Balotelli is expected to miss the match with injury. Daniele Bonera,
Mattia De Sciglio, Giampaolo Pazzini (all knee) and Stephan El Shaarawy
(foot) are also set to miss the clash as Milan's injury woes persist.
Christian Abbiati suffered physical problems ahead of the encounter with
Udinese and look likely skip this one as well. Gabriel started in
Abbiati's absence, but as he's not in the Champions League list, Marco
Amelia is set to start in goal.
The Blaugrana failed to win for the first time under their new
manager on Saturday as they drew 0-0 with Osasuna, the first time in 64
Liga fixtures they have drawn a blank. It has been a comfortable win
over Ajax and then a late victory over Celtic which has given Barca two
wins from two in the UCL group.
Manager Gerardo Martino has an almost full squad to choose from. If
there is anything that Barça should worry about, this is Jordi Alba’s
injury.Carles Puyol is likely to continue at centre-back, having made
his first appearance since last season's 4-0 win over Milan at Osasuna
on Saturday. Neymar and Lionel Messi will be flanked by Alexis Sanchez,
meaning Pedro will be pushed to the bench.
Possible line-ups:
Milan (4-3-3): Amelia; Abate, Zapata, Mexes, Constant; Montolivo, De Jong, Muntari; Birsa, Matri, Robinho.
Barcellona (4-3-3): Valdes; Dani Alves, Puyol, Piquè, Adriano; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta; Sanchez, Messi, Neymar.
