A shocking result tonight from the San Siro, where AC Milan beat Barcelona 2-0 to put the Champions League favorites on the verge of elimination from the competition.
This was AC Milan’s first victory over Barcelona since 2004, and it was a familar playbook that sunk a poor Barcelona side. Massimiliano Allegri’s side followed the blueprint developed by Chelsea and Celtic, the only sides to have beaten Barca in 25 matches in Europe, which is soaking up wave after wave of Barca attack before hitting them on the break. And once again it worked to perfection.
Barca had plenty of possession (67% to Milan’s 33%), but did little it, managing only 3 shots on target all night.
As the second half wore on, Barcelona seemed to run out of ideas and Milan hit them hard on the counter attack. First Kevin-Prince Boateng turned and fired in following Riccardo Montolivo’s free-kick, before Sulley Muntari’s close-range volley nine minutes from time send the 75,000 in the San Siro into delirium.
As good as Milan were tonight on executing Massimiliano Allegri’s terrific tactical plan, Barcelona were shockingly bad. Barca have rarely been tested this season and tonight stand-in coach Jordi Roura had no plan B as Barcelona lost for just the third time this season.
The Spanish champions-elect need to win by three goals in the second leg in Spain otherwise they will be out of a tournament they have won three times in the past seven seasons. It’s a tall task, but one that Barcelona are capable of completing.
Do you think that AC Milan can get the result it needs at the Camp Nou, or will Barcelona show everyone why they are favorites to win the Champions League this season?
