AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri is confident that his side can take away Barcelona's status as the best team in the world when the two teams face one another for the fifth time in two seasons in UEFA Champions League play on Wednesday.

Milan notched themselves seven European championships but are considered the underdogs for its last 16 showdown in Wednesday's first leg. The club's record versus Barcelona is 2-3-3.

Milan has been ousted by Barcalona the last two times the sides have met in the knockout phase.

"Barcelona are currently the strongest team in the world and have some of the best players in the world," Allegri told reporters, according to Caught Offside.

Allegri, 55, has seen his side move up to third place in the Serie A after a slow start and thinks it's time to break recent tradition, realizing it will be imperative to minimize Barcelona's possession time.

"We've had good performances against Barcelona in recent years in the competition but tomorrow (Wednesday) night we have to go on to the pitch believing we can go one better," he added. "Barcelona have a very strong midfield and we have to pay special attention to (Lionel) Messi, but it's not just him we have to worry about. We also have to look out, for example, for (Andres) Iniesta. Statistically, Barcelona are a team that - against Milan and Real Madrid - enjoy 65 percent possession, and we have to try and change that."

Milan will be without the services of striker Mario Balotelli, who is cup-tied for the rest of the season's competition after also playing for former team Manchester City.

The Champions League game is set to begin on Wednesday at 8:45 p.m. CET.

A live stream of the game will be available on Fox Soccer 2Go for those who would like to sign up or are already members. The probable lineups can be viewed below.

Probable Lineups:

Milan:

Abbiati, Constant, Mexes, Zapata, Abate; Nocerino, Motolivo, Flamini; Boateng, El Shaarawy, Niang.

Barcelona:

Valdes, Alves, Pique, Puyol, Adriano; Xavi, Busquets, Iniets; Pedro, Messi, Fabregas.