Barcelona midfielder Xavi says they cannot take Champions League opponents AC Milan lightly.

They come face-to-face in the Champions League for the third year running in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie.

"We are in a good period of form and have the utmost confidence, but we also know how difficult this is going to be," Xavi told Sport.es.

"Milan are an Italian team with more Champions League trophies than we have and historically always made things difficult for us.

"We have to compete and prove ourselves on the pitch."