La Impossible challenge she has arrived. Between presidential suggestions and various macumbes, Milan is ready to receive Barcelona. He will do so at a completely sold out San Siro (80 tickets sold, the Spaniards will be around 2), which for the occasion will also set the all-time box office record (4,6 million euros), testifying that the Rossoneri people believe in the company. Because of this it would be, given that Barça is unquestionably the strongest team in the world and its symbolic player is a certain Messi, someone who has won "only" 4 golden balls, moreover consecutive, and who in the calendar year 2012 he scored something like 91 goals. According to technicians, managers and simple enthusiasts, stopping the Argentine is practically impossible, but not for Silvio Berlusconi. "It can be done through a man marking, carried out by one person or, at certain times, even by two, made by Flamini in the first half and Muntari in the second or vice versa". The Cavaliere however, he will have to review his plans, because the French midfielder is not available, just like Nocerino. Both were not called up due to muscle problems, but the Italian is the most worrying. In any case, Allegri, albeit with his usual smile, had already made it clear to Berlusconi that he would have acted on his own mind anyway: “Of course I've heard the president, it happens every night. We talked to him about the charm and difficulties of the game. He expressed his thoughts which are often brilliant, I listened, now I will try to field the best line-up ”. So this evening the coach will play a good part of his future, right under the eyes of the Patron. “I have a contract with Milan, I can't leave tomorrow – the coach retorted with a touch of annoyance. – Milan, like all clubs, decides the fate of the coaches. The trust they gave me when we only had 7 points in 8 games in November was a great sign of esteem. I know that like all coaches I am tied to results. Luckily I won a few games and I'm very happy because the boys are giving me satisfaction”. Yes, but the fact remains that tonight the stakes will be very high. The match will be seen by millions of people around the world and a bad impression would not be appreciated at all, especially in the week leading up to the elections. But the mere thought infuriates Allegri: “Regardless of the fact that you play against the strongest in the world, I don't accept the role of sacrificial victim for Milan. The match will start from 0-0, we need to create the conditions to go through, otherwise it's useless to take the field".
Sul facing Barca a lot of respect, typical of the greats, and a pinch of pre-tactics, which never hurts on certain vigils. “Milan is always one of the great European teams and it's always scary to play against them – the thought of Jordi Roura, who temporarily replaces Tito Vilanova. – The passage of the round will be decided at the Camp Nou. You can't talk about favorites in games like this."
Looking forward to tonight's match, Milan and Barcelona they will have a first meeting already at 13. Like last year, Galliani has invited the president Rosell and the UEFA delegates for a courtesy lunch. The location changes (it will be at Giannino's, while the previous ones took place at Cracco) but not the formula. Because Milan-Barça is above all a matter of image, between the most successful club in the world and the strongest one.
POSSIBLE FORMATIONS
Milan (4-3-3): Have you; Abate, Mexes, Zapata, Constant; Montolivo, Ambrosini, Muntari; Boateng, Pazzini, El Shaarawy.
On the bench: Amelia, De Sciglio, Yepes, Cristante, Traoré, Niang, Bojan.
Coach: Massimiliano Allegri.
Unavailable: De Jong, Bonera, Antonini, Robinho, Flamini, Nocerino.
Disqualified: nobody.
Be wary: Bonera, Flamini, Montolivo.
Barcelona (4-3-3): Victor Valdes; Dani Alves, Pique, Puyol, Jordi Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas; Pedro, Messi, Iniesta.
On the bench: Pinto, Montoya, Mascherano, Song, Thiago Alcantara, Sanchez, Tello.
Coach: Tito Vilanova (on the bench Jordi Roura).
Unavailable: Abidal, Hadrian, Villa.
Disqualified: nobody.
Be wary: Adriano, Song, Mascherano, Pedro.
Referee: Alexander Craig Thomson (Sco).
Line assistants: Rose–Alasdair.
Door attendants: Mclean-Clancy.
Fourth man: Chambers.
