Poignant match ahead of Barcelona

[Shola Sholaz]

Barcelona's Champions League match at AC Milan on Wednesday will be a poignant affair for interim coach Jordi Roura as he returns to the stadium where he suffered an injury that ultimately forced him to end his career.
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He leads Barca in the last-16 first leg tie in the absence of Tito Vilanova, who is recovering from throat surgery, just over 23 years after Roura damaged ligaments in his right knee during a Supercup game involving the same two clubs.
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Although Roura, who was 22 at the time, continued playing for several more years he was never the same and was shunted around lower-tier clubs Murcia, Figueres and finally Sant Andreu before quitting.
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"I don't have happy memories of my match against Milan 23 years ago," said the interim coach who has spent much of his career far from the glamour of the Champions League.
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"After the injury I couldn't play football any more," he told a news conference on Tuesday. "Milan had a great team then.
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"I have returned several times since then as part of the Barcelona staff. A lot has happened since, life always gives you more opportunities," added Roura.
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"It's always nice for someone who likes football to come to this stadium although it is always a daunting prospect to play Milan here."
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Roura had a low-profile coaching career before being thrown into the spotlight thanks to Barca's policy of stability and promoting from within.
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He had a workmanlike career in the Spanish lower leagues which reached a low point when he was fired by third-tier Hospitalat in 2007.
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When Vilanova's predecessor Pep Guardiola took over at Barca, Roura joined the staff initially to watch future opponents.
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He dismissed the suggestion Barca, who have dominated La Liga this season, are firm favourites to beat a Milan side who are rebuilding after selling a raft of players at the end of last term to cut costs.
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"I don't agree at all," said Roura. "I've said it a lot of times - Milan are one of the best, they are a very good team and this is a very difficult stadium.
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"I don't understand this heavy favouritism, it doesn't make sense. It's very strange."

[Folami David]

I tip Barcelona to win the game.  Ac Milan is no match at all

[Shola Sholaz]

don't be so sure.anything can happen in football