2013 UEFA Champions League

[Locke]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Milan parking the bus but Barca need to do more with their possession.

74% possession and 1 shot on goal...zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Barcelona boilerplate. I cant even watch this.

[cam_wmh]

Wow milan

[d_phaneuf]

oh yay

another Barca passing session where they are afraid of the penalty box

[cam_wmh]

Milan's counter is threatening though. And they are closing the gaps, that previously they were apprehensive of.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Oh WOW!

That was a great goal!

[d_phaneuf]

2-0

wonderful

keep a clean sheet here please

[Mango]

Wow! What a game.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

AC Milan in the driver's seat now. Barcelona went down 2-0 and didn't know what to do. They had 1 threatening play into the box, were far more content passing it around their back 4 while down 2.

Schalke gets the ever important road goal in the other match.

[cam_wmh]

Realistically, Barcelona can pop in 5 at home. I'm miiiiiiiiildly optimistic.

[d_phaneuf]

ya I still fully expect Barca to go through, only hope Milan have is nicking an away goal and forcing them to have to get 4

they won't even need to go all out attack until the 70th or so minute at 0-0

doesn't really change their game

[GirlySports]

really? You guys think Barcelona can score 3 against that Milan defense?

The big European clubs have figured out Barcelona, Chelsea did it last year, Milan did it this year.

-----

Since the away goal rule was introduced in 1965, Barcelona never turned around a 2-0 deficit in any European competition.

[d_phaneuf]

the Milan defense that has allowed 19 away goals in league play this season (in 12 games)

and 4 in 3 against Malaga/Zenit/Anderlect

not exactly a defensive stalwart this year

[Locke]

I have to make do with the boxscore, but 73% possession and all of 1 shot on goal? More standard Barca.

I guess Messi didnt eat his wheaties this morning.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

really? You guys think Barcelona can score 3 against that Milan defense?

The big European clubs have figured out Barcelona, Chelsea did it last year, Milan did it this year.

-----

Since the away goal rule was introduced in 1965, Barcelona never turned around a 2-0 deficit in any European competition.

Arsenal almost overturned a 4-0 deficit against Milan last year, Barca has this tie...

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

really? You guys think Barcelona can score 3 against that Milan defense?

The big European clubs have figured out Barcelona, Chelsea did it last year, Milan did it this year.

-----

Since the away goal rule was introduced in 1965, Barcelona never turned around a 2-0 deficit in any European competition.

Inter Milan did it in the past as well.

If you let Barca/Spain pass the ball between their midfield all game and then counter quickly you can hurt them.

This is why I was so frustrated with Italy's tactics against Spain in the Euro Cup, they tried to play offensive with them instead of traditional Italian Soccer of 10 men back but hitting quickly on the counter.

[sadora]

Just finished watching that game. Great job on Milan for parking everyone behind the ball to not give Barca any space to maneuver through. Realistically though this game should have only been 1-nil for Milan. That second goal was a great play but that first goal should have never counted. Horrible non call for the obvious hand ball. Barca can still go through. Milan's hope there for that Egyptian kid is laughable, maybe in a few years when he gains more experience. Barca can easily score 3 or more at home, they have done it before and against even better teams.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

AC Milan have a counter-punchers chance, they struggled to start the season but have improved since.

If they stick to a strong counter-attacking Italian style game they might be able to sneak by. They have the defensive midfielders to clog the middle against Barcelona, and Stephan El Shaarawy is really arriving as a striker this season with 14 goals and 3 assists in 17 games in Serie A so far.

[sadora]

Originally Posted by Locke

I have to make do with the boxscore, but 73% possession and all of 1 shot on goal? More standard Barca.

I guess Messi didnt eat his wheaties this morning.

Funny how all the Barca haters only focus on Messi. Not sure if you watched the game or not but did you not see how many men Milan had behind the ball? Its the pure essence of the boring Italian football to defend and see what happens when they get the ball. Barca have more than enough players who can score, Iniesta, Xavi, Pique, Puyol are all dangerous in front of goal but there was no space available. Great work on Milan's part.

[GirlySports]

I don't buy it..Barcelona don't move the ball fast enough to overturn this.

[valo403]

Why do people think that Milan can't stifle Barca in Barcelona the same way they did tonight? The benefits of home field are highly overrated. It's an advantage sure, but a 3 goal advantage. No.