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

European titans are set to clash once again, as reigning UEFA Champions League winners Barcelona head to Italy to take on seven-time European Cup champions and defending Serie A table toppers AC Milan in the second leg of play in Group H.

These two storied sides last met in September, when the Rossoneri forced a 2-2 draw with the Blaugrana at Camp Nou by way of an early goal from Alex Pato and a stunning equalizer by Thiago Silva in injury time.

Both clubs are currently well on track to play in the knockout round, though there still figures to be plenty of venom, with Milan hoping to pull ahead of Barca for bragging rights—if not a more favorable draw in the next stage of competition.

Where: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan, Italy

When: Wednesday, November 23rd, at 2:45 p.m. EST

Watch: Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Deportes, Sky Sports 4/HD4/3D, DirecTV, ESPN HD Brasil, SuperSport3, Sport TV2, SuperSport HD

Live Stream: Foxsoccer.tv

Player to Watch for AC Milan: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Ibra was not fit to play during the first match between these two powerhouses in group play, but should be more than ready to take on his old club.

Just in time to promote the recent release of the Swedish striker's new autobiography, in which he takes more than a few swipes at Pep Guardiola, his old boss back at Camp Nou.

As such, Ibrahimovic will once again find himself awash in limelight—a position his eccentric personality seems to savor, but one that he must deliver on if he's to avoid drawing the ire of his own supporters—not to mention that of his teammates and coaches.

Player to Watch for Barcelona: Lionel Messi

It's practically a given that Leo is the "player to watch" any time Barca take to the pitch. The Argentine talisman has been as prolific as ever this season, having already notched 14 goals and five assists in domestic competition, to go along with five goals and two assists in European play.

He's sure to bring plenty of razzle, along with a bit of dazzle, to keep the Milan defence on his heels, just as he did in Barcelona nine weeks ago.

Key Matchup: Alberto Aquilani vs. Barca's central defense

The chief factor in this match, as with any match involving Barcelona, will be who can control the action in the midfield. Barcelona dominated the time of possession against Milan in September, hanging onto the ball for 75 percent of the time.

Much of that, however, came amidst puzzling tactics by Rossoneri boss Massimiliano Allegri, who got too defensive too quickly and thereby allowed Barca to come charging back with two goals.

Not surprisingly, Milan had their greatest success in that tilt when their midfield, led by super sub Alberto Aquilani, was in full attack mode. Aquilani exposed Barca's central defense as slow and plodding, though it was admittedly injured at the time.

Nevertheless, if Milan is to leave their supporters in good spirits, they would do well to attack Barca rather than let the European champions kick the ball around as they so often do. Aquilani, then, would be a big part of that strategy.

What They're Saying:

The Rossoneri are getting fit at just the right time. According to ESPN Soccernet, Alex Pato, out since late September with a thigh injury, is back to training and should be available to play.

Welcome news around the San Siro, indeed, given the loss of striker Antonio Cassano to a cardiac procedure earlier this month.

As for Barcelona, club president Sandro Rosell has come out in criticism of the Champions League, suggesting that the competition should be pared down, from 20 participants to 16. He even went so far as to suggest that members of the European Club Association, of which Rosell is vice president, could break away from UEFA to start their own league if the governing body does not abide.

Said Rosell of his reasoning:

"

The objective of reducing from 20 to 16 teams is to give more space to our players. We want a bigger Champions League and hope one day we could play perhaps Barcelona versus Manchester United on Saturdays. It's something all of them would have to agree to. That includes the Premier League.

"

Prediction: Barcelona 2, AC Milan 1

Both sides are much healthier than they were last time around, which ultimately gives Barcelona's deeper, more talented squad a clear advantage. Barca were rocked by the loss of Andres Iniesta in that match, not to mention Alexis Sanchez from an earlier one, but will have those two, along with their full complement of central defenders, available to play.