1907 GMT: Teams: AC Milan: Abbiati, Abate, Mexes, Zapata, Constant, Ambrosini, Montolivo, Muntari, KP Boateng, Pazzini, El Shaarawy. Subs: Amelia, De Sciglio, Traore, Niang, Bojan, Cristante, Yepes.

Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Pique, Puyol, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas, Pedro, Messi, Iniesta. Subs: Pinto, Sanchez, Thiago, Mascherano, Montoya, Song, Tello.

Referee: Craig Thomson of Scotland

WELCOME TO AFP'S LIVE REPORT on a Champions League clash of the titans as seven-times winners AC Milan play hosts to mighty Barcelona, victors four times in Europe's top club competition.

The Catalan giants are favourites to win the two-leg last-16 tie but the Italians will be looking to put up as strong a fight as they can with home advantage in tonight's first leg at the San Siro stadium on the outskirts of the historic city of Milan.

Barcelona top the Spanish league by 12 points, thanks in no small part to the consistent goal-scoring brilliance of Lionel Messi, whose two goals last weekend took the Argentinian's tally for the club to a massive 301 goals. They have also lost only once all season.

A recent improved run of form has hoisted AC Milan to third in the Italian table, though a key factor has been the four goals scored already by January recruit Mario Balotelli, who is cup tied tonight after playing for former club Manchester City in the group stage of the tournament.