Barcelona vs. AC Milan: Carles Puyol Says Barca Will Attack the Rossoneri

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol told the media today that Barca will attack AC Milan in the second leg of their Champions League tie on Tuesday.

Puyol said, “We only have one way of playing: on the attack. That’s what we’ll do.”

The Catalans set out to attack during the first leg, but despite a raft of good chances—several for the Italians—the match ended in a 0-0 draw.

Puyol spoke about the importance of the match, as well as his expectations for how AC Milan would approach the second leg:

"

We’ll take this game on like any other game. We’ll go out to win and try to play our game. We’re aware that we’re going up against a fantastic team, but I’m sure they’ll come out to defend and capitalize on counterattacks. We’ll have to put in a complete game both defensively and offensively.

It’s an incredible match, the most important one because we have to win. There is no margin for error. It’s a final.

"

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola spoke to the media a short time after Puyol. He said that is assuming that Milan will score on Tuesday and emphasized that Barca must take their chances.

Guardiola also indicated that midfielder Xavi Hernandez could play despite rumors that a muscular injury might force him to sit out the home leg.

For AC Milan’s part, manager Massimiliano Allegri spoke to journalists just before leaving for Barcelona. He called Pep Guardiola’s team “the best side in the world” and stressed the importance of Milan effectively finishing their chances. Allegri said:

"

We haven't had too much time to prepare for the game tactically because we have been playing every three days. We'll do it tonight at Barcelona. In any case we played against them just last week and we are ready. Barcelona are still the best side in the world but there will be some crucial moments tomorrow night that we have to make the most of. I am not going to think too much about the end result

"

Tuesday’s match will send either Barcelona or AC Milan into the Champions League semi-finals where they will face the winner of the Benfica/Chelsea tie.