Allegri: Balotelli could be fit to face Barcelona

Massimiliano Allegri is hopeful his leading
scorer will be fit for Tuesday's battle with the
Catalans, while calling on his team to play with
courage despite their injury woes
AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri remains
optimistic regarding the availability of striker
Mario Balotelli for their Champions League
match against Barcelona .
The Italy international missed Saturday's 1-0
victory over Udinese due to a thigh injury,
while his status for Tuesday's match remains in
question.
Allegri refused to rule out the possibility of the
23-year-old being fit to feature against the
Blaugrana, explaining that he will wait closer
to kick-off before deciding whether the
forward will play.
"Balotelli is doing better," the Rossoneri boss
told reporters.
"We'll check on his condition in training today
and we'll see if he can be called up.
"The physical condition of the side is
improving. We all have to work in the same
direction."
Despite a growing list of injuries, Allegri
believes his team are capable of repeating
their 2-0 home victory over the Catalan giants
in last season's round of 16 first-leg clash.
"It will be a fascinating game for everybody,"
the former Cagliari coach mused.
"We need to play with courage and sacrifice
against the best team in the world to get three
points and increase our chances of qualifying.
"I believe that tomorrow Milan will perform
well, we must try to make as few mistakes as
possible. Barcelona will control the ball more
than us, so we have to play a game similar to
last year's."
Milan sit second in Group H with four points
from two matches, while Barcelona have a 100
per cent record.