Barcelona are through to the Champions League semi-finals after seeing off AC Milan 3-1 in their quarter-final second leg at the Camp Nou last night to progress 3-1 on aggregate.
Two Lionel Messi penalties either side of a crisply taken Antonio Nocerino strike saw Barca ahead at half-time. Andrés Iniesta’s calm finish gave the defending champions some breathing space and a frustrated Milan were unable to find a way back into the game.
The Catalans will now travel to either Chelsea or Benfica for the semi-final first leg in two weeks time. This will be their fifth successive season at this stage of the competition, equalling a record set by La Liga rivals Real Madrid from 1956 to 1960.
“They were difficult opponents, but we have made it through,” said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola afterwards. “Milan are one of Europe’s great teams. They had three shots on goal, we had 21. To reach five consecutive semi-finals is a milestone, we are very proud. This club is a fortress.”
The Serie A side ended the game with six yellow cards, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic told Swedish TV after the game that he now “understood” why José Mourinho got angry when playing at the Camp Nou, but Milan coach Max Allegri said Dutch referee Björn Kuipers’ decisions had not decided the tie.
“The best team have qualified,” said Allegri. “We committed a terrible mistake for the first penalty. The second was more dubious, and the referee whistled too quickly. Barcelona were favourites to win the Champions League and they still are.”
The big surprise in the starting line-ups was Isaac Cuenca on the Barcelona wing, with Alexis Sánchez and Pedro Rodríguez on the bench as Guardiola began with his occasional (and occasionally criticised) three man defence and Dani Alves playing high on the right flank.
“Alexis has not played as we needed a player on the wing like Alves who attacks and defends,” said Guardiola. “I wanted to go out with three at the back, even knowing it was an extra risk.”
Xavi Hernández and Cesc Fábregas both also started in a Barca XI containing nine graduates of the club’s La Masia youth system, while Allegri returned right-back Ignazio Abate after he had missed the first leg through suspension.
Both sides had chances in a surprisingly uncagey opening, but Andrés Iniesta dragged a shot wide and Ibrahimovic – booed loudly on his Camp Nou return – mis-kicked after driving past Gerard Piqué.
The home side soon settled and Messi carried the ball past two defenders but shot straight at Milan keeper Christian Abbiati, before firing just wide after Fábregas reversed an Alves cross into his path.
A Barca goal was not long in coming. Messi hared clear down the left, but passed to Xavi when he might have shot. Milan got defenders back to block but Luca Antonini tripped Messi in the scramble. The defender was lucky Kuipers only flashed a yellow, and Messi converted the penalty for 1-0.
This did not change the shape of the game and – with Cuenca roasting Abate down the left – Fábregas, Alves and Messi all saw shots saved by Abbiati.
Milan’s first effort on goal brought the equaliser. Robinho did well to hold possession and find Ibrahimovic, whose clever pass gave Nocerino the space to calmly finish past Valdes from ten yards.
Barca were soon back in front amid initial confusion and then loud Milan complaints. With the ball in the air from a corner, Kuipers saw Alessandro Nesta pull Busquets jersey amid of a forest of players. When the confusion finally cleared, Nesta and Clarence Seedorf were booked and Messi rolled in the penalty for 2-1.
The second half began with Alves returned to right-back, Cuenca on the right wing and Iniesta on the left. Guardiola could not have expected the change to work so well so quickly, but eight minutes in Don Andrés was perfectly placed to calmly slot home after a Messi shot was half blocked into his path just ten yards out.
That seemed to knock the stuffing out of Milan and Barca could just keep passing and passing the ball. Allegri swapped Seedorf for Alberto Aquilani, while Guardiola withdrew Xavi for Thiago Alcantara. The Barca sub should have made it four but shot wide when Messi’s sublime pass set him free.
As the game wound down Milan had more possession, but no chances with Javier Mascherano outstanding at centre-half. Frustration set in and Robinho, Phillipe Mexes and Nocerino were booked for cynical fouls. It was understandable, Barca will do that to teams.
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