Preview: AC Milan vs. Barcelona

AC Milan are the one side that Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola claimed that he was keen to avoid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

However, the draw paired Guardiola's team with the Italians, with the opening leg being played in the San Siro tomorrow night.

The sides met in the group stages of the competition, as AC Milan claimed a 2-2 draw from their trip to the Nou Camp, while the Spaniards won the corresponding away fixture.

Host Milan will be without Brazilian defender Thiago Silva, who is suffering with a leg injury. Silva's place in the starting lineup is expected to go to veteran defender Alessandro Nesta.

Visiting Barcelona will be without Eric Abidal, which could mean a switch to left-back for captain Carles Puyol.

Milan have never lost the home leg of a European Cup quarter-final tie, winning ten and drawing four.

Meanwhile, Barca are currently on a nine-match winning streak.

Current form:

Milan: WWDWWL Barcelona: WWWWWW

Possible lineups:

Milan: Abbiati; Bonera, Nesta, Mexes, Antonini; Aquilani, Ambrosini, Nocerino; Boateng; Ibrahimovic, Robinho

Barcelona: Valdes; Dani Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Puyol; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta; Fabregas, Messi, Sanchez

Sports Mole says: 2-2