Barcelona vs AC Milan: Predicted line-ups ahead of Champions League encounter

How will the two managers line their teams up?

Champions League action returns tonight and there is a heavy duty clash lined up as reigning European champions Barcelona take on Italian champions, AC Milan, who are known for their incredible pedigree in the European Cup (which they have won 7 times). Both teams suffered draws in their league encounters this match day weekend, so there is a lot of expectation surrounding this match which many bill as a potential evenly fought thriller.To be held in the Spanish cauldron called the Camp Nou tonight, predictions have already been flying around of the possible team line-ups. Both Barcelona and AC Milan have injuries to contend with, Barcelona more so that Milan. Barcelona based Spanish sports newspaper ‘Sport’ has predicted the starting line-ups for both teams and has surprisingly included Carles Puyol in central defence to be paired along with Javier Mascherano. Having been missing from action for a long time, Puyol could be in for a role tonight, but doubts remain over whether what would be a starting role.

AC Milan will notably be missing Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who will miss the return trip to the club which ousted him after just one season, thus missing out on the opportunity to exact revenge. However, this is just the Group Stage and there might be an opportunity to seek revenge later on in the competition.

Edited by Zico