AC Milan stunned European heavyweights Barcelona in the 1st leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash. The 2-0 win was their first over Barca in almost 7 meetings since 2004. Two former Portsmouth players, Kevin Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari got on the score-sheet on a night that saw a complete team performance from Milan frustrate the Spanish giants.
Stephan El Shaarawy passed a late fitness test and started alongside Giampaolo Pazzini up front for the Rossoneri. Colombian defender Cristian Zapata was preferred ahead of countryman Mario Yepes to partner Phillipe Mexes in central defence with Ignazio Abate and Kevin Constant at full back. Barca midfielder Xavi was once again fit to play and started in a 3 man midfield with Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Busquets for the Catalans.
Milan came prepared with a plan and stuck to it religiously. Heavy pressing and solid organization was a feature of their game all night as they were content to sit back and allow Barca possession looking to hit them on the counter at pace. Barcelona had lots of possession, but hardly created any chances as they were constantly harried and given no time on the ball by the hardworking Milan midfield. The likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi hardly got into the game and keeper Christian Abbiati was untroubled, barely called upon to make any saves.
The hosts in fact looked much more dangerous and created the better openings on the counter. In the 14th minute El Shaarawy broke the offside trap as a Muntari through ball released him into space. With only the keeper and Gerard Pique for company, the Italian's second touch was a bit off and the ball rolled out for a goal kick. A minute later, Boateng had an effort that went just wide of the Barca goal. On 35 minutes, the same 2 players were in action, Boateng bursting through down the right sent in a cross that just evaded the head of El Shaarawy.
Goalless at half-time, Milan resumed their dogged pursuit in the second half, hunting in packs every time they conceded possession to cut out the space for Barca to get into their passing groove. On 55 minutes, El Shaarawy earned Milan a free-kick 40 yards out. Left back Constant laid it off for Montolivo whose long range effort hit Jordi Alba before rebounding on to Zapata and falling for Boateng who put it in the back of the net with a superb left foot finish to give the Rossoneri the lead. Milan would consider themselves a touch lucky as the ball had hit Zapata's hands which were up above his head as it fell to Boateng.
Alexis Sanchez was brought on to replace the ineffectual Fabregas. However, it did little to change the game as the Spanish side struggled to get anything going against a solid Milan side. The first real shot on goal for Barca came in the 75th minute when Iniesta let rip a right footed curler from outside the box that just missed the mark. Otherwise, it was a quiet night for Barca's big names.
M'baye Niang replaced Pazzini who had an excellent game, and the 19 year old youngster helped Milan double the lead. Niang ran onto a through ball as Alba was caught out of position and fending off Carles Puyol passed the ball to El Shaarawy. Seeing that he was about to be closed down, he coolly chipped the ball to his right over the incoming defender to find an unmarked Muntari who was left with a simple finish.
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
Pretty much every Milan player played his part to perfection and any one of them could easily be chosen, but two players stood out just a little higher - Riccardo Montolivo and Kevin Prince Boateng.
Montolivo was simply superb in central midfield as he picked out some magnificent passes to release his forward players into space while also teaming up with veteran Ambrosini to make numerous interceptions.
Boateng's physical effort was unmatched as he constantly came back to help out in defence and was key as Milan shut out Barca. In attack, always a constant threat with his pace and running.
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