Midfielder maestro Xavi Hernandez, who missed the last few games for Barcelona because of a hamstring injury, has passed his fitness test and looks to be a starter in the second leg of tonight's round of 16 Champions League clash against Milan .
The Terrassa-born player has been worked into the first team practices gradually after missing the last two league games, but only was given the all-clear by medical staff this morning, hours before the European tilt.
Xavi is projected to start in the midfield alongside Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta of Barcelona in an attempt to trace the tie against Milan, which won the first leg 2-0.
When he suits up, Xavi will match Real Madrid's Iker Casillas as the player with the third-most appearances in the history of the Champions League, 127. Raúl González is the one most capped (142), eight more than the Manchester United player Ryan Giggs (134).
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Kevin Constant (R) challenges Barcelona's Lionel Messi (C)
Photo: REUTERS
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AC Milan's coach Massimiliano Allegri gives instructions.
Photo: REUTERS
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Riccardo Montolivo (L) challenges Lionel Messi.
Photo: REUTERS
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Stephan El Shaarawy reacts after missing a chance.
Photo: REUTERS
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Kevin Constant (R) challenges Lionel Messi.
Photo: REUTERS
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Kevin Constant (R) and Philippe Mexes (L) challenge Lionel Messi.
Photo: REUTERS
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Kevin-Prince Boateng reacts after scoring Mlian's first goal.
Photo: REUTERS
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Kevin-Prince Boateng reacts after scoring.
Photo: REUTERS
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Riccardo Montolivo (C) walks next to Lionel Messi (L) and Daniel Alves (R) as they lie on the pitch following a tackle.
Photo: REUTERS
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Riccardo Montolivo (L) challenges Barcelona's Lionel Messi.
Photo: REUTERS
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Sulley Muntari (R) scores Milan's second goal.
Photo: REUTERS
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Sulley Muntari celebrates his goal with teamate Ricardo Montolivo
Photo: Getty
