Just incase you didn’t know Europe’s top competition the Champions League starts tonight.
One of the biggest ties of the first round games is European Champions Barcelona vs. Italian champions AC Milan at the Nou Camp. These are two proper giants of European football.
Winners
Between them these two clubs have won the European Cup 11 times. That is an impressive haul of trophies.
Milan have won the trophy seven times in their history, their most recent victory coming in 2007 when they defeated Premier League Liverpool in final of the competition.
Barcelona have won the European Cup four times. Two of those victories have came in the last three years, both against Manchester United. Although they haven’t won as many European Cup’s as AC, they are currently regarded as the bigger club worldwide.
Draws
Both clubs drew 2-2 at the weekend. However the draws came under different circumstances. AC Milan were two goals down before coming back to claim a point against new look Lazio. It was their first Serie A game of the season after the start of the league campaign was delayed due to a players strike.
Barcelona on the other hand were two goals up in the first 15 minutes away at Real Sociedad in their latest league game. However the club from San Sebastian came back strong in the second half and shocked the champions. The champions had fielded a weakened side in the La Liga encounter.
Defence
Barcelona may have had a weakened side out at Real Sociedad but you can be sure that their team will be at near full strength for the fixture against the Italians giants. Barcelona have had injury problems in defence in recent months.
However the club are likely to have the likes of Carles Puyol and Maxwell back in the squad that hosts Milan at the Nou Camp. Barcelona will need to be at their best at the back with Milan’s attack the main strength of their side.
Attack
Ac Milan have a threatening strike force. In the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Alexandre Pato the Rossoneri carry a major attacking threat. AC Milan’s attack is probably the strongest department of their team. Unfortunately, there is bad news for AC Milan fans.
Teams
Mercurial Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be denied the chance to appear against his former-team as he is currently out injured. AC will also be without midfield general Gennaro Gattuso, who is still suspended from last season. Dutch midfielder Mark Van Bommel could come in to replace the Italian international. The Italians champions will be missing centre-back Philippe Mexes, who is also on the injury list but would have been suspended anyway.
Barcelona are likely to welcome back club captain Carles Puyol to the centre of their defence. His first choice central-defensive partner Gerard Pique hasn’t appeared for the club since the Super Cup victory over Real Madrid and is likely to miss out on this encounter as well.
New signing Alexis Sanchez is ruled out of this clash after sustaining a hamstring injury during the Real Sociedad match. Spanish international David Villa is likely to replace the Chilean. Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi is also likely to return to the team after starting the last match on the substitutes bench.
Tight
This should be a tight game. Italian champions AC Milan will be underdogs in this clash but it will no doubt prove to be a closer encounter than most Barcelona games. AC Milan are considered to be one of the challengers for Barcelona’s crown as European Champions.
Reaction
The draw at Real Sociedad was considered a poor result for Barcelona. Barca boss Pep Guardiola will be looking for a reaction from that game and Barcelona’s players usually produce what Guardiola wants.
AC Milan are a strong outfit but I can see Barcelona starting the defence of their European crown with a victory. Both sides will no doubt qualify for the knockout stages of the competition though and that’s when the real fun starts.
Can AC Milan defeat Barcelona at the Nou Camp?