agMADRID, Spain, March 12- Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura said his team were ready to “revolutionise” their tactics as they look to overturn a 2-0 first leg defeat in Tuesday’s Champions League return against AC Milan.
That loss has given Barca a mountain to climb to make the quarter-finals and Roura says the Catalan club will have to consider every option.
“We shall have to see how the match progresses. If we get to a point where we have to execute a tactical revolution then we shall do so,” said Roura, who will be on the bench as coach Tito Vilanova remains having cancer treatment in New York.
Roura said he had been pondering strategy and his best team line-up but insisted he had more or less decided on his game plan without giving anything further away.
He also said he was optimistic that midfield star Xavi Hernandez would be fit despite fears he might miss out owing to a thigh injury.
“He is doing very well – but we shall have to wait for the final training session (on Tuesday) to make a final decision,” Roura said.
Meanwhile, Barcelona defender Gerard Pique insisted Monday the Spanish giants could overcome the 2-0 first-leg loss in their Champions League Last 16 clash with AC Milan when they meet here for the second leg on Tuesday.
“We have one of the best teams in the history of this club and we know our qualities,” Pique told a news conference.
“I have no doubt that despite the criticism of recent weeks this team is going to respond tomorrow,” the 26-year-old Spain international added.
Barcelona are running away with the Spanish league title, holding a 13 point lead, but have been off form over recent weeks.
They suffered a 2-0 away loss to Milan and two defeats to their rivals Real Madrid in the league and Spanish cup.
“Perhaps we played three not very good games, but we are having a brilliant season,” Pique said, highlighting Barcelona’s haul of more than 80 league goals.
“Yes, we’re going to play against an Italian team tomorrow that will try to close things down. But the chances will come, I am sure.
“A single goal by Milan would hurt us a lot. We will try not to let one in,” he added. “But this (Barcelona) team is capable of scoring four. It will be difficult, but it is possible.”
