The big day has arrived, tonight we will know if Milan (and Italian football in general) will be able to keep up with Barcelona. If this were not the case, there would be no drama (after all, Barça is universally recognized as the strongest team in the world), just a big disappointment. Because although there are all alibis (from injuries to a busy schedule), this Milan really wants to play for it. This was evident from yesterday's press conference, held at Milanello by Allegri and, unbelievable, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The presence of the Swede in front of the microphones is a significant gesture, just on the eve of the most important match, for him and for all of Milan: “We are ready, we have prepared well. – Zlatan said with his usual mean look – What happens happens, let's only hope they are positive things. We have to play a perfect game, me too, because they are the best in the world."
The Rossoneri environment clings to him, hoping that he will remain "Gulliver" also in the Champions League, just like in the league. Only in this way will Milan be able to try to beat Barcelona, otherwise it would be an impossible undertaking. Charged by the company decision to send him to the press conference before such an important match (usually it's up to the senators), Ibra then unbalanced himself (up to a certain point) on his future, which apparently will be tinged with the Rossoneri: "Today I'm well here and here I see the future, then tomorrow we don't know. I like Italy's mentality, it's a second home. I play in a fantastic club where they love me, the family is happy, everything is natural, everything is automatic. I don't have to prove anything." Maybe, but not everyone thinks so, especially in Barcelona, where Zlatan has left many things unresolved, especially with Guardiola: “Will I shake his hand? I don't know, we'll have other things to think about. It's not an important thing for me, and probably not even for him...".
Tonight, in front of a San Siro sold out for days (record box office of 4,7 million euros), Ibra will be very important, but not decisive. In fact, the whole team will have to play at their best, as Allegri hoped: “We know well that this is the most difficult quarter, indeed it will be very difficult, but also for Barcelona who remain more favorites than us. We know their strength, but don't worry, we have to implement what we know how to do. We will not play with fear, but with great strength. It will be a good match, very difficult on a psychological level, in which there is little to motivate: such a fascinating challenge prepares itself”. All true, but it would have been better to have had the whole squad available. Instead, the unavailable continue to be many and even the recovered ones are not doing very well. Over all Nesta and Robinho, who however will start from the first minute.
In this sense too, therefore, Barça is better off, which however prefers to avoid proclamations of victory, in perfect Guardiola style: “We must be ready for the difficult moments we will experience at San Siro. Because we will have them: I expect the best Milan possible. The Rossoneri have excellent players like Ibra and we are aware that if we don't play well we won't pass. We will play as usual, so we will try to attack and score goals. Scoring away is very important and this is one of the main objectives." Reaching him shouldn't be a problem, given the performance of Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Sanchez and, ça va sans dire, his majesty Lionel Messi. Needless to deny it, Barcelona are super favourites, as shown by the bookmakers' odds: Milan's victory is even given at 4,50 (played by only 14% of bettors), while that of the Catalans is only at 1,75 (85% of bets are directed there). But dreams, you know, can overcome any obstacle, you just need to turn them into reality. Milan will try, you can bet on this.
POSSIBLE FORMATIONS
Milan (4-3-1-2): Have you; Bonera, Nesta, Mexes, Antonini; Nocerino, Ambrosini, Seedorf; Boateng; Ibrahimovic, Robinho.
On the bench: Amelia, Yepes, Zambrotta, Aquilani, Emanuelson, El Shaarawy, Maxi Lopez.
Trainer: Massimiliano Allegri.
Disqualified: Van Bommel (1).
Unavailable: Abate, Thiago Silva, Merkel, Pato, Cassano, Gattuso, Muntari.
Beware: Walnut.
Barcelona (4-3-3): Victor Valdes; Dani Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Puyol; Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas; Sanchez, Messi, Iniesta.
On the bench: Pinto, Montoya, Tello, Thiago Alcantara, Keita, Pedro, Cuenca.
Trainer: Josep Guardiola.
Disqualified: nobody.
Unavailable: Hadrian, Villa, Abidal, Fontas.
Beware: Puyol.
Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden).
Line Assistants: Wittberg-Klasenius.
Port Assistants: Strombergsson-Johannesson.
Fourth official: Stalhammar
