Champions League - all the reaction LIVE!
Barcelona
Lionel Messi 5,40
David Villa 55
Jordi Alba 90+2
|
4
0
|
AC Milan
|
Two goals down from the first leg, Messi was on target after just
five minutes and although Christian Abbiati was at his best to repel the
home side, he could do little to stop Messi doubling Barca's lead five
minutes before the break.
David Villa - preferred by Jordi Roura to Cesc Fabregas - scored a
vital third before Jordi Alba's injury time strike settled the tie.
Milan struggled to deal with the movement of an inspired Barcelona
while they failed to create enough chances with Victor Valdes rarely
tested in the home goal.
It took just five minutes for Barcelona to reduce the deficit and take the lead on the night.
Xavi's intricate pass found Messi whose unstoppable curling effort into the top corner gave Abbiati no chance.
It was Messi's 52nd goal of the season and he almost created one for
Andres Iniesta moments later before Philippe Mexes intercepted.
The home side were in full flow and after 13 minutes Abbiati was
forced into making a fantastic save to tip Iniesta's effort on to the
bar before Messi somehow shot wide following up.
The stopper had to be in top form four minutes later to acrobatically tip Xavi's stinging effort around the post.
Even at this early stage it was a case of when, not if, they were to
draw level on aggregate and the home side thought they should have had a
penalty when Massimo Ambrosini collided with Pedro inside the box.
However, the visitors survived and slowly began to deal with the
attacking onslaught of the home side, whilst creating chances of their
own.
The best fell to lone striker M'Baye Niang who raced clear after
breaking the Barca offside trap and although he beat Valdes, his effort
hit the post and away from danger.
Milan were made to pay just seconds later and again it was Messi who was the scorer.
Ambrosini lost out to Iniesta who fed Messi, who looked to be in an offside position when the ball was played.
The flag stayed down and the Argentinian cut inside and fired past a helpless Abbiati with his lethal left foot.
Pedro picked up a booking before the end of the half for a foul on
Ignazio Abate, meaning he would miss the quarter-final first leg should
they progress, while Mathieu Flamini was also facing a suspension for a
challenge on Pedro.
Barca began the second period much like the first and after 55
minutes Xavi's pin-point pass eluded a sliding Cristian Zapata to find
Villa, whose left-footed finish gave the Milan stopper no chance.
In a bid to increase their attacking options, Massimiliano Allegri
brought on Robinho and Sulley Muntari for Niang and Ambrosini
respectively.
With 15 minutes left goalscorer Villa was replaced by Alexis Sanchez,
with Carlos Puyol coming on for Javier Mascherano shortly afterwards.
The home side were thankful for Jordi Alba's intervention after 81
minutes to deny Robinho a simple chance from close range, before Adriano
came on for Pedro.
The win was sealed late on when Alba somehow gathered the strength to
burst down the left to fire past Abbiati in what was another memorable
Barca performance at the Nou Camp.
