Xavi & Lionel Messi
Can Lionel Messi and Xavi lead Barcelona to a memorable win over Milan? Reuters

Barcelona will have to overcome a 2-0 deficit against Milan in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at Camp Nou. The match takes place at 3.45 p.m. ET on Tuesday and will be screened live on the Fox Soccer Channel.

Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari struck in the San Siro three weeks ago to give Milan a shock win over a side who were favorites to claim the competition for the third time in five seasons. The task awaiting Barcelona to make it through to the last eight is emphasized by the fact that only four teams in the Champions League era have recovered from losing a first leg by two or more goals.

Yet, perhaps, if any team is capable of such a performance it is a Barcelona side featuring the world’s best player, Lionel Messi.

With coach Tito Vilanova absent in New York for cancer treatment, Barcelona’s form has been less than impressive of late, however. As well as the loss to Milan, the Catalans also suffered two consecutive defeats to fierce rivals Real Madrid. They do at least come into the second leg on the back of a victory over Deportivo La Coruna.

In contrast, Milan are enjoying by far their best run of form of the campaign. After a summer cost-cutting sales of the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, the Rossoneri had a woeful start to the campaign. Things have picked up dramatically in recent weeks, though, and Milan are now unbeaten in 10 games and back in the Champions League places in Serie A.

It promises to be a night to remember in one of soccer’s greatest arenas.

Lionel Messi