AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri was bullish ahead of the first leg of his side's Champions League last-16 clash against Barcelona at San Siro.

Allegri acknowledges his team will be underdogs but is taking confidence from their performances against Barca last season, when they faced the Catalans in both the group stages and quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Milan, who last won the European Cup in 2007, held Barca to a draw at the Nou Camp in September 2011 while they also drew the first leg of the last-eight clash before the Spanish league leaders went on to win the tie 3-1.

Allegri told a press conference: ``Milan-Barcelona means we are facing the best team in the world but I do not accept that in the last two weeks everyone has been making us out to be the sacrificial lamb.

``As long as the rules do not change then we start the match tomorrow evening in the same position, 0-0.

``In the last two years we have played well against Barcelona, we played well in the quarter-final last year.

``We know that at the moment they are the best team in the world but we have to try and create the elements to go through to the next round, although we know that whoever they play against they have an average of 65% possession.

``We have to try and limit their possession, making them less dangerous because they are so dangerous when they go forward. We have to be good at managing our own possession because maybe they will concede something at the back.

``We have to step onto the pitch with the conviction that we can go through to the next round. I know we will do well, then if we are a little lucky we can hope of making the quarter-finals.''

Allegri has been boosted by the return to fitness of striker Stephan El Shaarawy, although Mario Balotelli is not eligible having played for Manchester City in the competition this season.

Meanwhile, Barca playmaker Xavi is also available but neither David Villa (kidney stones) nor Adriano (hamstring) have travelled. Youngster Oier Olazabal has been included in the squad.

Barca have been crowned European champions three times in the last seven seasons and are perennial favourites, but forward Pedro was cautious ahead of the clashes with Milan.

He said on www.fabarcelona.com: ``We're very eager to get back to playing in this competition against a difficult rival like AC Milan.

``This round has always been difficult for us each year, perhaps because there's such a big break in between matches.

``Milan have always been a difficult side because they have a lot of history and they have very dangerous players. Anything can happen in a two-leg tie in the Champions League. We have to concentrate and be very vigilant in defence.''

typical useless italian park bus and aeroplane together game . A draw or barca win

all the nyanshenal fanz..........ndoooooooo

fredoooooo: typical useless italian park bus and aeroplane together game . A draw or barca win

Shut your dirty mouth u wasteman

[size=20pt]You'll eat your words come 2moro evening I guarantee u[/size].

FORZA MILAN!!!

chic2pimp:

Shut your dirty mouth u wasteman

You'll eat your words come 2moro evening I guarantee u.

FORZA MILAN!!!

Hahahaha , even your juventus( the best in italy today ) ,can not stop barca
Guarantee you said , muki guaranteed a victory at the emirate today

#Barca must fall

k

I see 3points for Barca. But the Best i can stake is over 2.5 .. . Chikenah!!!

Visca el Barça! Mes que une club...

Even if they park the bus like most teams do against Barça, Milan is not an obstacle.

A clash of aristocrats.I beliv d Blaugrana wud see off d Rossoneri @sansiro 2nite..

up barca,

copa del rey

UCL

Laliga

Club worldcub

Guaranteed

as for real madrid you can keep following me 16 points behind

Pygru: #Barca must fall

IN YOUR DREAMS.

Kaxmytex:
bros,i no gree dat 1
celtic wey trash barca...hw many goals juventus gave dem in front of dere home fanz despite d fact say dem go call mah broda,ambrose efe wey suppose dey rest...

Anything fit apun..buh as 4 me o...i no see barca winning....

Celtic did not 'trash' Barca. You call a 'one-goal difference' scoreline in a group stage trashing?

Anyway, football is not maths, else I would have reminded you that Malaga whom Barca beats on a regular basis beat Milan to top their group.

For me, Juventus vs Barca would end up being another Italy vs Spain Euro final.

As for this game, hope you return after the match with medicated glasses so you can begin to write 'I see' instead of 'I don't see' in your posts.

vin4ever: I see 3points for Barca. But the Best i can stake is over 2.5 .. . Chikenah!!!

....bros no b group stage o

Madam Mukina sorry for yesterday o!we will catch Bayern in semi and dump them out of the competition for you.Barca is on a revenge mission for what bayern has done to my Gunners.Barca is winning Ac millan.

I see a FCB vs FCB final in wembly.....bayern.barca

I am with Ac milan for tonite game. ACM 2- 1 FCB.

Up barca, we are the best in the world.

Okworigeorge: ....bros no b group stage o

oh, i forgot. Thank you for the correction.

Another B-Team (Barcelona)to kill an A-Team (AC Milan). Just like Arsenal (A-Team) &Bayern Munich (B-Team).
Final Score. AC Milan 2-3 Barcelona

It is Barcelona all the way!
AC Milan, A sacrificial lamb.

Fcb all d way...

Chelsea beat barca,juventus slaughter chelsea and a.c milan beat both chelsea and juventus this season infact we are winning this 2:1 is my prediction in favour of milan and on the side note if u dy follow dis season no xpect anytyn 4 1st half cus na 2nd half d a.c milan show dy start..forza milan!!!

up barca, we owns the champions league,coz we re d best in d world. Messi wil show dm 2nyt, na 4:1 i go beat milan 2nyt. :Dup barca, we owns the champions league,coz we re d best in d world. Messi wil show dm 2nyt, na 4:1 i go beat milan 2nyt.

Notin much, just;

Ac Millan 1 v Barcelona 3

I rep Mlan to da core! My Rosenerri will make me proud and shame ya'll haters! Forza Milan!!!

Nor b d same eye wey dem take share akpu dem use share fish.
Barca go collect!
Inshort,if Barca beat Milan,make I lay egg!
Milan 3 vs 2 Barca.
Copy that!!

Nor b d same eye wey dem take share akpu dem use share fish.
Barca go collect!
Inshort,if Barca beat Milan,make I lay egg!
Milan 3 vs 2 Barca.
Copy that!!

Hemanwel: Nor b d same eye wey dem take share akpu dem use share fish.
Barca go collect!
Inshort,if Barca beat Milan,make I lay egg!
Milan 3 vs 2 Barca.
Copy that!!

.....beta ready 2 hatch dem cos u no go lay jez 1

Hemanwel: Nor b d same eye wey dem take share akpu dem use share fish.
Barca go collect!
Inshort,if Barca beat Milan,make I lay egg!
Milan 3 vs 2 Barca.
Copy that!!

make sure you come back after the match o.