Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Barcelona thrashed AC Milan by 4-0 margin, advances into the quarter stage.





Barcelona thrashed AC Milan by 4-0 margin riding on talismanic effort of Lionel Messi in their second leg encounter of UEFA Champions League round of 16 at Nu-Camp lastnight, overturned their first leg 0-2 deficit sailed to the quarter stage. Lionel Messi scored a brace in the 5th & 39th minute while David Villa & Jordi Alaba scored each in the 55th & added injury time of the second half respectively. This the first time in Champions League history that any team has overturned their 2-0 first leg deficit in second leg.
           Win was compulsory in here for Barcelona, not only a win as well as they had to overturn their first leg 0-2 deficit & another thing they had to be careful of swallowing a single goal by the visitors which could well end all of their dreams & could well be a lifeline for the visitors.
                           From the beginning minutes the hosts started furiously against the mighty rival AC Milan, as usual Lionel Messi leading all the attacks in upfront guided by Xavi & Inniesta from a bit of behind.
             A single change change in Barca’s first eleven, the inclusion of xavi changed the entire scenario of the match.
              Lionel Messi opened the account in the 5th minute of the game scoring an absolute stunner to get his side right back in the tie. The Milan defence couldn't close him down quickly enough as he collected the ball on the edge of the area, and he powered a spectacular 20-yard strike into the top corner. Milan custodian Abbiatti remained silent viewer during that goal. Sliced the deficit into one goal margin.
             As the game progressed it became a real one sided affair, eminent Milan defence have lost the way to resist the relentless supremacy of Barca in the midfield & penetrative zone.
             Few minutes after that goal the homeside denied from a genuine penalty while Pedro was pulled down inside the box by Abate, referee denied that appeal.
            Suddenly in the 38th minute of the game the visitors luckily got the most handy chance of the game against the complete run of the play to seal their position. A terrible header from Javier Mascherano let in Niang, who had time to pick his spot, but he only found the base of the post.
              Lionel Messi stroke once again in the 39th minute, A bad giveaway in the center of midfield caught the Milan midfield out of position and allowed Iniesta to find Messi on the edge of the box, in a similar position from which he scored his first goal. Instead of going to the far post, like he did on his first goal, he placed a perfect shot to the near post that Abbiati never appeared to have a chance to stop, wiped out their first leg deficit.
            Barcelona finished the first half with 2-0 margin, locked the tie 2 all in aggregate.
             AC Milan started the second half with lots of expectations, everybody thought they will make a great fightback & somehow managed to score the priceless one goal which will guide towards the next stage.
             But the same one sided story started to repeat after the lemon break. Due to that the Catalans would strike again to finally move ahead in the tie. Xavi’s fantastic pass picked out Villa on the right, who shifted the ball onto his left foot and bent a fine finish into the far corner in the 55th minute of the game.
            Barcelona had taken few changes, they introduced former Barca star Bojan & Brazilian legend Robinho for the hunt of that priceless goal, they started to pressurize on the hosts in the last 10 minutes of the game, on that time they could have easily scored the much needed solitary goal for them.
             Meanwhile Jordi Alaba scored the fourth goal for the hosts in the dying moments & sealed the tie in their fore.
          The strike force lead by Lionel Messi & combination of Xavi & Inniesta remained phenomenal throughout the match while Milan custodian Abbiatti remained the busiest person throughout the game.
           Lots of questions were already raised regarding tiki-taka concept, lots of answers were to be given at Nu-Camp, Barca as well as the Spanish brigade including Argentine legend Lionel Messi proved their greatness & stamped on their status once again taming the best composed defence of Italian powerhouse AC Milan.
               As well as all Barca supporters entire planet was eyeing to watch that if it’s going to be the demise of tiki-taka format of Barcelona or can they bounce back from that critical life support condition, yes Barcelona did it with style, bounced back stormly silenced all experts.

           In another match of Champions league Turkish giant Galatassary defeated German outfit Schalke by 3-2 margin in their second leg tie following a 1 all stalemate in the first leg.
           On behalf of 4-3 aggregate Galatassry booked their berth the quarter stage also.


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