Champions League preview: AC Milan v Barcelona

AC Milan will likely be desperate for your house convert Barcelona inside first-leg of the Champions League quarter-final with the San Siro.

Massimiliano Allegri's men were handed the challenging draw of the defending champions, as well as a win on Wednesday is essential in their bid to pass through towards last four.

The Serie A leaders, who dog-tired a draw and lost to Barcelona within the group stages in the competition, enter in the encounter in fine form, unbeaten in four matches.

Allegri's side happen to be guided by the excellent way of striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who took his tally to 29 goals in all of the competitions having a brace inside the 2-1 win against Roma on Saturday.

They still dominate in the league despite several injury problems, with Thiago Silva the most up-to-date concern.

Silva will miss 30 days which has a thigh injury, joining Alexandre Pato, Ignazio Abate, Robinho and Alexander Merkel within the sidelines.

Mark van Bommel, that's missing that has a back problem, is serving a single-match ban with the first leg.

AC Milan welcome a red-hot Barcelona side, with Lionel Messi in particular starring in recent outings.

Pep Guardiola's guys have won nine straight games in all competitions, seeing them close the gap on La Liga leaders Real Madrid to six points.

Argentine superstar Messi has been a standout, netting 12 times within their last five victories to look at his tally to 55 this term.

The reigning champions are still without David Villa, although Alexis Sanchez and young gun Cristian Tello have filled the void.

Guardiola had the luxurious of keeping gun midfielder Xavi for the bench in their side's 2-0 win at Mallorca on Saturday, though the Spain international can be a certainty to go back against AC Milan.

Allegri's side troubled Barcelona but were 3-2 losers in the event the teams met on November 23 not too long ago, anf the husband would want for his team to maintain a clean sheet of their home leg.

Your house win is actually a must in the event the Serie A champions are to succeed to your semi-final clash with either Benfica or Chelsea.