Milan arrived in Barcelona and given how things had turned out, this is already great news. In fact, the Rossoneri had to postpone their departure for Catalunya by more than three hours, due to a strike by French air personnel called at 4 the previous night. And so Milan had to change their plans: press conference at 20pm instead of 18pm, night training on the Camp Nou pool table, obviously deserted.
This evening, however, the stands will be packed in every order of place: it is useless to have any illusions, the Les Corts stadium will be hell. Allegri knows this well, which is why he is keen to clarify a concept right from the start: "We will need to play a careful game with courage because we need to score tomorrow - he said in the press conference - We know Barca's characteristics, we must have a positive attitude knowing that we will have two results out of three available”. True, but it shouldn't be forgotten that Barça rarely miss victory in their own den. Paradoxically, however, this could also turn into an advantage for Milan: the pressure will be all for the Blaugrana, who have an obligation to go all the way to the Champions League.
It will be a heart-pounding night for Galliani, even if the CEO seemed confident: “Barcelona has struggled with us in these three games, so let's go and play for it. The delay in departure? We have organized ourselves, as soon as we arrive we go to the stadium, they are inconveniences of the trade ". Apart from Berlusconi's criticisms, a highly concentrated Milan will be needed in the defensive phase, also because nobody (at least so far) has ever beaten Barça in terms of dribbling and ball possession. The Catalans are the undisputed masters in this, even if some malicious insinuate that they are entering the waning phase of the cycle. An accusation rejected in toto by Guardiola: “The intensity of these 4 years has been wonderful. It's logical that there comes a time when you feel a little tired but matches like these give you unique emotions. I am happy in these situations, being able to think that we will play a match of this importance makes me feel good".
The Barça coach showed his usual great respect for Milan, spending good words also for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who tonight will be the main target of the Camp Nou boos: “We know that Milan can send us home. They are the leaders of the Italian standings but I want my parents to give everything to get out of here with a clear conscience. As for Ibra, players like him are always very dangerous. We know that the high balls will belong to him and we must try to limit him because in that case the ball belongs to him and close to the area it can hurt ”.
As for the formations, Barcelona have only one doubt, which concerns Xavi. The Spanish midfielder stopped with a muscle problem, but tonight he should grit his teeth and take the field. A few more problems instead for Allegri, who boasts several absences but also an important recovery: that of Pato, who will play for a shirt with Robinho (who still remains the favorite to support Ibrahimovic). Nesta and Abate gave some concern, who stopped training before the end, but it should have been just a precautionary measure. Last consideration: the field this time will be perfect. Well then, what a show it is!
POSSIBLE FORMATIONS
Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes; Dani Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Puyol; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta; Sanchez, Messi, Fabregas.
On the bench: Pinto, Montoya, Adriano, Thiago Alcantara, Keita, Pedro, Tello.
Trainer: Josep Guardiola.
Disqualified: nobody.
Unavailable: Abidal, Villa, Fontas.
Beware: Puyol.
Milan (4-3-1-2): Have you; Abate, Nesta, Mexes, Antonini; Nocerino, Ambrosini, Seedorf; Boateng; Ibrahimovic, Robinho.
On the bench: Amelia, Bonera, Mesbah, Aquilani, Emanuelson, El Shaarawy, Pato.
Coach: Massimiliano Allegri.
Disqualified: nobody.
Unavailable: Thiago Silva, Rome, Van Bommel, Gattuso, Muntari, Cassano, Merkel, Strasser.
Beware: Nocerino, Nesta, Ambrosini.
Referee: Bjoern Kuipers. (Holland)
Line assistants: van Roekel-Zeinstra
Door attendants: van Boekel – Liesveld Fourth official: Nijhuis
