Barcelona may be more favored than AC Milan when met in the last 16 of the Champions League this season. But that does not mean Los Cules can take easy.
Barca will first come to the San Siro on Wednesday (02/29/2013) before they take turns host Milan at the Camp Nou next three weeks. This is the third year in a row the team from Milan meet Catalans in the Champions League.
Last season Milan and Barca drawn with offset Barca 2-2 at home before winning 3-2 in away games. Then they met again in the quarterfinals where Milan managed to draw 0-0 at home before being defeated 1-3 in the away game by two goals from Lionel Messi.
Although the forces are far superior to Barca and coach Massimiliano Allegri admits it. "If there are opponents who face Barca then it is definitely 95 percent Barca will win it." But historically the two teams meeting, Milan has always been a tough opponent for the Azulgrana.
In the season 2005/2006 Barca as a champion ,Milan also met in the quarterfinals and was eliminated after losing 0-1 on aggregate total. Then the previous season Milan and Barca beat each other in the group phase.
"We are currently in a period of good performance and have a high self-confidence, but we also know what difficulties we will encounter later," said Xavi told Sport quoted by Football Italia.
"Milan is the Italian club has Champions League trophy more than us, and historically they have always been difficult for us," said 32 year-old midfielder.
"We should be able to perform competitively and prove our performance on the pitch," said Xavi.
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