Ahead of their Champions League last-16 second leg against Barcelona, AC Milan touched down in Catalonia on Monday at 12.20 CET. And the Italian club's CEO Adriano Galliani immediately took the opportunity to heap praise on Barça forward Lionel Messi. Galliani said of the player, who will be leading the Catalan outfit's bid to overturn Milan's 2-0 first-leg advantage on Tuesday: "Messi is a monster. He scores with incredible consistency. Let's hope that he has an off-night [against Milan]."

The Camp Nou atmosphere: "We're expecting a hostile atmosphere on Tuesday evening. There'll be 100,000 people crammed inside the stadium. It'll be difficult because we're up against the best team in the world."

The absence of injured Milan forward Giampaolo Pazzini: "It's a blow, because he was on top of his game. We have lost a very important forward, but I'm sure that whoever takes his place will do very well."

Fitness concerns surrounding 'Rossoneri' defender Philippe Mexés: "[Coach Massimiliano] Allegri will make a decision on whether he plays or not in the coming hours."

Mexés' potential replacement Mattia Di Sciglio: "He's an extraordinary footballer. Although they have different characteristics, he reminds me a little bit of [former Milan defender Alessandro] Costacurta."