Barcelona vs. AC Milan: 6 Bold Predictions for the 2nd Leg at Camp Nou

AC Milan produced an exceptional performance to thwart Lionel Messi and Barcelona on Wednesday night creating a sensational winner-take-all game at Camp Nou on April 3.

Whilst many thought this could be a tough test for the Catalan giants, it would have taken a brave man to predict a scoreless draw.

It was the first time Barcelona failed to score in 30 games and gives plenty for Pep Guardiola to think about as the Spaniards prepare for a potentially explosive return leg next week.

Despite having the majority of the possession, it was Milan who had the two most promising chances on the night.

What's for certain is that there will be plenty more twists and turns before either team can look forward to a semifinal berth.

Here are six bold predictions for the second leg... 

6) Barcelona Will Have to Score Two Goals to Go Through

It was an incredibly frustrating night for Messi and Co. as Barcelona tried without success to break down Milan's resolute defence led masterfully by Luca Antonini.

Not only was the blank worrying enough for Guardiola's team, the fact that Ibrahimovic and Robinho had the two best chances is enough to predict that the Italians will score at Camp Nou.

Massimiliano Allegri will be delighted that his team have not conceded an away goal.

That allows him to pick a team and tactics suited to counterattack the obvious threat from Barcelona's frontmen.

It will be extremely unlikely that they will keep a clean sheet away from home but conceding one is more than a realistic possibility.

With an away goal now being crucial to the Italians, all the pressure will be on the home team unless they create a two-goal advantage.

Milan can use that to their advantage and will be able to switch tactics accordingly. 

5) Red Cards and a Penalty Are Inevitable

Although largely a competitive and good-natured game, the end of the match showed some signs of petulance with four bookings being shown by referee Jonas Eriksson.

With the return leg sure to be more dramatic in terms of quality and passion together with the hostile atmosphere that is Camp Nou, the pressure on the referee and players is sure to be immense.

This game will not finish goalless after 90 minutes meaning that one team will be throwing caution to the wind at some point.

Add to that Alexis Sanchez's penalty claim that was not given. The footage is sure to be scrutinised over the next seven days and I'm sure Mr Guardiola will have plenty to say on the matter before the return leg.

That inevitable pressure often leads to bad tackles, rash decisions and passions boiling over as we have seen so many times. Do not be surprised to see a host of bookings, a penalty and the odd red card.

Make no mistake, the first leg was the calm before the storm.

4) Lionel Messi Will Score His 50th Champions League Goal

It is simply incredible that a 24-year-old is on the brink of scoring 50 Champions League goals.

Only five players have scored 50 or more in their entire careers with Raul's 71 making him top off the tree.

It is perhaps fitting that Messi will score to in front of his own crowd and whether they win or lose, it would be folly to suggest the Argentinean will not be on the score-sheet at some point during the evening.

Not only is he destined to create history with one more goal, there is almost a certainty that he will reach 100 at some point during his magnificent career.

The world's best footballer today? Without doubt.

The best ever? Maybe.

3) Zlatan Ibrahimovic Will Come Back to Haunt Barcelona

Although all eyes will be on Messi scoring his 50th Champions League goal and Barcelona going one step closer to setting up an El Clasico Final, don't underestimate a Barcelona old-boy.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has plenty to prove after falling out with Pep Guardiola and several teammates during his final season at Camp Nou.

It is reported that Guardiola famously spoke to the 30-year-old only twice during a six-month period before he was initially loaned out and sold to Milan in a £20 million deal.

Although it was reported that the Swedish international was unhappy about Lionel Messi being given a central attacking role in the side, there were plenty more issues behind the scenes that will have the striker desperate to prove a point.

And what better stage of them all to twist in the knife than scoring the goals to knock Barcelona out of the Champions League while creating shock-waves throughout World Football in the process.

2) Cesc Fabregas Will Be the Key Player in the Second Leg

Despite being an unused sub in the game, Cesc Fabregas could prove to be the difference between the two sides in the return leg.

The Spaniard has been in magnificent form since his much-publicised arrival from Arsenal in the summer. An instant fans favourite, Fabergas' goalscoring exploits will surely not go unnoticed when Guardiola names his team.

Barcelona need to score goals and a playmaker like the Spaniard is surely too hard to ignore in such a big game.

The 24-year-old could replace Seydou Keita in a game they must win if they are to keep their season alive. A recall for the midfielder makes perfect sense.

1) Defeat for Barcelona Will Mean the Sack for Pep Guardiola

The vultures have been slowly circling around Barcelona's head coach after an extremely disappointing league campaign.

Currently six points behind bitter rivals Real Madrid in La Liga and with an inferior goal difference, it looks like Champions League success may be Guardiola's only chance to save himself from the axe.

And if Barcelona do exit at the quarterfinals stage while Madrid go on to do the double, many believe the writing will be on the wall for the 40-year-old.

Linked with the vacant job at Chelsea, it could well be his last Champions League game in charge at Camp Nou. Roman Abramovic can be very persuasive indeed when pursuing the man he wants. With money no object, don't be surprised if he is on a plane to London sooner rather than later.