Barcelona vs. AC Milan: Milan Are Destined for Failure vs. Barcelona

AC Milan heads to the Camp Nou to battle Barcelona in the opening of the group stage in Champions League play. 

The injury bug hit both sides this week. Barcelona switched backline stalwarts as Carlos Puyol comes back from injury, but Gerard Pique goes to the bench with an injury of his own. 

Milan needed to be at top form to unseat the defending champs on their home pitch. They will not even be at full strength. Fox Sports reports Milan striker and former Barcelona star Zlatan Ibrahimovic would be out for the Group H opener Tuesday. 

The Rossoneri will not be at a complete loss on attack. They can rely on Alexandre Pato to spurn some excitement in the box. Without Pique, Barcelona certainly has a hole in defense. 

That would be about it for the good news. Barcelona is a finely tuned machine that simply wins at home.

But forget about the mystique of Camp Nou. The real issue for Milan is in the midfield. 

Despite Milan having their own treasures, such as Kevin-Prince Boateng, they will be facing a myriad of looks from the most creative midfield in the world.

There is no way to put an end to Xavi and Iniesta. The duo are an unrelenting force that seems to think with the same brain. Chemistry is an underrated weapon in sports. Barca happens to have some of the best camaraderie in the world.

Let's say that both are out of form on Tuesday—you'd still have to deal with Lionel Messi. The Argentine gem has been in top form in the last few weeks.

Couple that with the addition of Cesc Fabregas, and the Spaniards are cunning, deep and powerful. I am confident this will be a tightly fought match. 

Milan can still get over with a goal and some superb play in the back. It just isn't likely that they take three points from Camp Nou.

I will go ahead and say it is impossible. 

Don't worry, Milan supporters. These two teams will be getting out of the group, I can assure that as well.