Roura: Barcelona ´psyched´ for Milan clash

Barcelona stand-in coach Jordi Roura says his side will head into Tuesday’s Champions League match against AC Milan with confidence.

The Spanish giants tightened their stranglehold at the top of La Liga as goals from Alexis Sanchez and Lionel Messi gave them a 2-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.

Roura said the win would provide a timely boost for the second leg against AC Milan, with his men needing to reverse a 2-0 deficit against their Serie A opponents to progress.

“We are very clear how we will play against Milan, and how they want to play us. We are psyched,” the 45-year-old told reporters.

“The Liga is key for us, we shouldn’t forget that. Three points were important, and we’re keeping our lead (14 points). The game we played today benefits us. Not conceding was important.”

Sanchez, who has been a bit-part player at Camp Nou this season, put in an instrumental performance but Roura was coy over whether the Chilean would start against AC Milan.

“Alexis playing on Tuesday is an option. He was important tonight and helped us a lot, scoring and moving well,” he said.

“(Cesc) Fabregas? Everyone has good and bad games in a season, but Cesc is having a great season, he has played some extraordinary games.

“Xavi has trained yesterday, we’ll see how he recovers from that, and we’ll decide later if he can play on Tuesday.

“Some might predict who plays and who will not play against Milan, but the starting line-up is yet to be decided. Having all players competing is good for the team.”