Barcelona are without Jordi Alba, Ibrahim Afellay and Isaac Cuenca for the Champions League match with Milan. The Blaugrana step into San Siro on Tuesday evening in this Group H encounter. Barcelona are without Jordi Alba, Ibrahim Afellay and Isaac Cuenca for the Champions League match with Milan. The Blaugrana step into San Siro on Tuesday evening in this Group H encounter. Coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino is without Jordi Alba and Afellay, while he has chosen to leave behind Isaac Cuenca. UEFA have chosen German referee Felix Brych to officiate. Milan will name their squad later today, but are pessimistic on Mario Balotelli, Christian Abbiati or Mattia De Sciglio being able to make it. Barcelona squad for Milan: Victor Valdes, Pinto, Olazabal; Montoya, Piqué, Puyol, Mascherano, Bartra, Adriano, Dani Alves; Fabregas, Xavi, Iniesta, Jonathan Dos Santos, Busquets, Song, Sergi Roberto; Pedro, Alexis Sanchez, Messi, Neymar, Tello
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Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti hinted Gareth Bale could “start against Juventus” in the Champions League. The Coach was speaking after today’s 2-0 victory over Malaga, as they face the Turin giants on Wednesday. “It was a very good game. I hope we will play with the same intensity against Juventus in the Champions League next week. Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti hinted Gareth Bale could “start against Juventus” in the Champions League. The Coach was speaking after today’s 2-0 victory over Malaga, as they face the Turin giants on Wednesday. “It was a very good game. I hope we will play with the same intensity against Juventus in the Champions League next week. “We worked harder in defence. We focused on recovering possession faster and creating chances in attack – and that’s definitely something that happened this afternoon. “I'm happy with how we played, but we have to continue improving. Bale is fit to play. He has three days of training and then we will decide if he starts against Juve. “I think Varane will also be available for the match.”
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Barcelona director Andoni Zubizarreta is again looking forward to a European Cup clash against Milan. The two teams have been regularly drawn with each other in recent seasons and they will meet at San Siro again on Tuesday night. “It wouldn’t be the Champions League unless we played Milan,” Zubizarreta smiled on Monday ahead of the trip to Italy. Barcelona director Andoni Zubizarreta is again looking forward to a European Cup clash against Milan. The two teams have been regularly drawn with each other in recent seasons and they will meet at San Siro again on Tuesday night. “It wouldn’t be the Champions League unless we played Milan,” Zubizarreta smiled on Monday ahead of the trip to Italy. “We have played each other a lot. We are going to a stadium in which the opponent does not mind closing up against us and that to us will make things more complicated. “In no way do we have to explain to our players the trajectory of Milan. It is always a good time to play Milan – whether before a Clasico game against Real Madrid or not. “It’s another opportunity to play against a great side. If you were to ask Carles Puyol, he will tell you that this is the best team that we can play.” Barcelona have a 100 per cent record in Group H, while Milan have beaten Celtic and drawn with Ajax in their two games so far.
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Javier Zanetti has wished Inter a happy birthday, as the Nerazzurri turn 104 years old today.
Following a break from Milan Cricket and Football Club, FC Internazionale was formed on March 9, 1908, partly because of the wish to create a club more open to foreign players than other Italian sides had been up to then.
Fittingly in celebrating entering their 105th year of existence today, the club received a birthday message from Argentine captain Zanetti.
“Happy birthday greetings to my dearest Inter,” the 38-year-old began in a statement from the team hotel.
“Being part of this beautiful family for so many years is a source of great pride. I can never stop thanking President [Massimo] Moratti for having given me this opportunity.
“And over these many years it has been a great honour to share in the triumphs, but also the difficult times, with many directors, Coaches, teammates, staff members, and all the fans who love this club and who I thank for having always been so supportive.
“We are all special, because we are Interisti. So once again - happy birthday Inter, and may there be another 100 more years like these!”
La Beneamata are in League action tonight, looking to end a winless run of seven Serie A games with a visit to Chievo.//football-italia.net
Cesare Prandelli believes 2012 is Italian football’s year with the Champions League and European Championships, but how would he solve Inter’s woes?
There are three Italian sides in the last 16 of Europe’s top club competition, as Milan beat Arsenal 4-0 while next week Napoli face Chelsea and Inter visit Olympique Marseille.
Cesare Prandelli believes 2012 is Italian football’s year with the Champions League and European Championships, but how would he solve Inter’s woes?
There are three Italian sides in the last 16 of Europe’s top club competition, as Milan beat Arsenal 4-0 while next week Napoli face Chelsea and Inter visit Olympique Marseille.
“In a one-off game, Napoli can beat anyone,” said Prandelli. “Nowadays all clubs would prefer to avoid taking on Walter Mazzarri’s men in a decisive match.
“I am confident all three Italians will go through to the quarter-finals. Milan have practically booked their ticket with that 4-0 victory over Arsenal.
“Inter are going through a strange season of highs and lows. At the moment it is difficult for them, but they have the players to rise up again. They need to push back with the pride of their champions.”
This year also sees Euro 2012 and Prandelli’s Italy qualified unbeaten, although they face Spain, Croatia and the Republic of Ireland in the first round.
“We’ll see what happens, but it’s not easy, as we have Spain in our group.
