CL: Xavi doubtful for Barca's return leg vs Milan

Barcelona have a doubt over midfielder Xavi as they prepare to go on the offensive in their Champions League quarter-final second leg against AC Milan on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old Spain international came on as a substitute against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga at the weekend and has missed the last two training sessions.

"His calf has been playing up for the last couple of days and we preferred not to force it today," coach Pep Guardiola said on Monday.

"He will take a fitness test on Tuesday morning. He is in the squad and that is because there is a chance he could play."

They will need to break down a resolute Milan defence who held them 0-0 at the San Siro last week.

Guardiola said he was expecting the Italians to defend deep and in numbers once again and that his side would probably have to score more than once.

"We have to generate as many dangerous scoring opportunities as possible," he said.

"I reckon we will control the game but we need to find ways to carve openings near their goal.

"We are not overly concerned about stopping them from scoring, because I am pretty sure they will.

World Player of the Year Lionel Messi was kept relatively quiet by his standards in Milan, but with 56 goals to his name in all competitions this season, Guardiola joked with Italian journalists about writing him off.

When it was pointed out Messi had only ever scored one penalty in seven matches against Italian opposition, he said: "He hasn't scored because Italians are very good.

"I hope Messi scores, he will need help to find the spaces, but beware those who say he never scores against Italian teams. We'll see what happens."