Barcelona vs AC Milan: Complete Preview, Start Time and Schedule

AC Milan will get their UEFA Champions League campaign started off with the tough task of taking on the current kings of world football, Barcelona. Barcelona has looked as solid as ever in their recent matches. They have won their past four matches by a combined score of 14-2.

Meanwhile, AC Milan has been toiling going just 2-2 in their last four matches. A stretch that included a split with Juventus. 

AC Milan made news at the transfer deadline as rumors swirled that they were trying hard to upgrade their midfield. There were reports that they were going hard to bring back Kaka for his second AC Milan stint.

The move never happened, and AC Milan denied their interest to begin with. In a report on ESPN, AC Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani denied they tried to acquire Kaka.

Where: Camp Nou in Barcelona, Catalonia

When: September 13, 2:45 PM Eastern Time 

Watch: ESPN HD Brasil, Fox Deportes, FSC, Setanta Ireland, Sport.TV2, Sportsnet One, SuperSport 3, SuperSport HD 2, UEFA

Player to Watch for Barcelona: Lionel Messi

When Barcelona takes to the pitch, all eyes instantly fix on Lionel Messi. And for good reason. Messi is the center of Barcelona's attack, and his brilliant play seldom leaves fans disappointed. Messi is playing as good as ever.

He is nearly impossible to stop, and even if he doesn't score, he will likely create opportunities for his teammates.

Player to Watch for AC Milan: Thiago Silva

Silva is playing better than ever and has cemented his status as one of the world's best center backs. Silva is one of the toughest matchups for any striker, and his explosives can't be counted out on the offensive end.

Silva is capable of providing a strong forward surge at any moment.

Key Matchup: Lionel Messi vs. Thiago Silva

This matchup is about as good as it gets in world football. Silva is asked to do a lot for AC Milan. They will be best served to ensure that his duties begin and end with keeping track of Messi in this one.

What They're Saying: AC Milan is Anxious To Prove Themselves Against the Best

This comes to us via Goal.com:

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"Barcelona are the absolute best of the best in football at the moment. Tuesday's game will be the perfect opportunity for us to how far we can go this season," Seedorf said to Milan Channel.

"I won't be an easy game, but we need these kinds of games to see how we relate to the other top teams in Europe."

"

Score:

Barcelona 4

AC Milan 1