Goals from Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari gave AC Milan
victory over Barcelona and a huge chance of making the Champions League
last eight.
The Rossoneri defended in numbers and the two former Portsmouth players struck twice in the second half.
Boateng turned and fired in following a free-kick, before Muntari's close-range volley nine minutes from time.
Carles Puyol also headed wide following
Muntari's first Champions League goal, but chances were only occasional
for stand-in coach Jordi Roura's side as they slipped to their third
defeat of the season.
It was a tactical masterclass by the hosts, who sprung a
surprise result based on a tight, disciplined display in the first
period but became more expansive after the break.
That said, Barcelona, who are top of La Liga by 12 points, lacked their usual creativity. Lionel Messi was only involved sporadically, and they paid for continually attempting to cut through the heart of the Milan defence.
The Italian club's excellent central midfielders, Riccardo Montolivo and Massimo Ambrosini, ensured that path was closed, and the win gives Milan a great opportunity to avenge last season's Champions League quarter-final defeat by Barcelona.
Back then, the two teams shared a 0-0 draw at the San Siro before the Catalans won 3-1 in the second leg, and on this evidence the four-time European Cup champions will need to significantly raise their game to get a repeat result at Nou Camp on 12 March.
Kings of Europe
- AC Milan have won the European Cup or Champions League seven times - in 1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003 and 2007.
- Only Real Madrid, with nine triumphs, have won it more times than Milan.
- Striker Filippo Inzaghi scored twice the last time they won a final, beating Liverpool 2-1 in Athens.
- Barcelona have won the competition four times - in 1992, 2006, 2009 and 2011.
- Their last triumph was also against English opposition, with a 3-1 victory over Manchester United at Wembley.
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