Zubizarreta relishing Milan test

Barcelona football director Andoni Zubizarreta is excited ahead of his team’s tie with AC Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League.

The first leg of the tie will be played at San Siro on either February 12/13 or19/20, with the return legs on March 5/6 or 12/13.

The two sides met each other in both the group stage and the quarter-finals last season, and are now set to renew their rivalry with a place in the last eight at stake.

“We’re talking about two big teams. A Milan-Barca (match) always sounds good,” Zubizarreta told Barcelona’s official website.

“We played against them last year. We were in the same group and then we met in the quarter-finals. They are always a difficult team, with a lot of history, an enormous stadium, good players and Bojan (Krkic, striker).

“We usually say that the draw in December is very misleading because a lot can change between now and mid-February.

“I always believe that big teams have a lot of spirit when the Champions League recovers that European Cup feel (in the knockout stages); anything can happen.”

Zubizarreta also spoke about the advantage of playing the second leg at Camp Nou.

“Playing the return leg at home is vital in any playoff,” said the former Barca and Spain goalkeeper. “It’s always helpful.

“However, we need to plan well for the first match so we can enjoy the second one.

“The away leg at San Siro will be very demanding.”