FC BARCELONA

The former Madrid distanced himself from accusations of whites and praised the play of Barcelona.

The Milan player Antonio Cassano received the best news of his life this week, despite the elimination of his team at the hands of Barça. After the October 29 suffered a mild cerebral ischemia by a heart defect, which had to be operated, Italy forward this week received permission to re-dress short. In addition to the news for his recovery, exmadridista has also had its share media after branching off the mentality of the exequipo, which this week again accused to Barça of having the favor of arbitration.

In an interview in 'Studio Sport', Cassano Praises game Pep Guardiola is cleared of the charges of the white team. "What Mourinho said to be hard to beat Barca at home? Sure, it's difficult because they are stronger than others, these arguments are invented some, put the characters you want to appear in the film, "said Italian impetus to defend the Catalan squad.

He added that "Barça is unbeatable, they can only win with a volcano that requires them to travel by bus for 40 hours," alluding to the playoff semifinals two seasons ago when Barça fell against Inter, after see their plans altered by the Icelandic volcano, Eyjafjallajökull.

Upon his successful recovery, the forward who once confessed, "I was afraid to die and I would never play football, but now that I close my return to a level playing field." In recent months, he has lived his particular ordeal to get ahead, and he did it thanks to his inner circle and displays of affection from the entire football community, "during the 36 hours before the operation did not understand , could not speak. "Cassano received calls from around the world, Barça and Madrid made ​​contact with him to cheer him, "Iniesta called me, I realized how many people were worried about me as a person, not as a player" and says that if at any the field will not mind whistle "I am happy because all the fans have realized what was happening."

But fear not over, now the player will not be afraid to level and have to leave, "and if I'm okay, fine, if I realize that I'm not good back home, do not want anyone to feel sorry me for what happened to me. " (via SPORT)

Philippe Mexes, French player of Milan, admitted that the victory of Barça was fair.

While some are engaged in looking for trouble and victory of Barça, AC Milan players themselves, except for Ibrahimovic, fell victim to the triumph of Barcelona.

One is the Frenchman Philippe Mexes. "Congratulations to Barcelona, we now think of the Italian league. It's a shame because we had several opportunities to get ahead on the scoreboard. I apologize for the first goal, which comes for a ball that I lose. With the 1 -1 we thought you could do damage to Barça, but playing against this team is tough. then reached the second penalty, which I found very clear and that's it. we have been at its height and I hope we meet again the next season and hopefully have more determination and more luck. "

Mexes, who hopes to be with France in the next European Championship was emphatic in stating that "Barça has cut the legs and his victory is logical. Fortunately, Messi will not be in the upcoming Euro!" (via SPORT)

Bjorn Kuipers stepped out of the criticisms of the penalties referred to Milan at the Camp Nou and considered that "is not what you say Ibrahimovic".

The referee Barça-Milan, Swede Björn Kuipers said Wednesday that the bus arbitration refereed the match at the Camp Nou was "a great team."

"Everything went as it should," he said told the Associated Press, which picked 'Sportyou'. "I received several calls after the game and all praised me," revealed an Kuipers reiterated that "our performance was very positive," although UEFA does not allow colleges to analyze their games through the media.

The Swedish referee had no hesitation in censoring the words of his compatriot, exazulgrana Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who surprised the claim that "understood" to Mourinho. Kuipers was emphatic on this point: "It's not what you say Ibrahimovic. We are comfortable with our work. " (via SPORT)

Andres Iniesta, happy to have qualified for the semifinals of the Champions League, has no doubt that, whether Benfica or Chelsea are Barça’s rivals, to get to the Final will not be easy.

Referring to Messi, Iniesta said that "at the age he is, he’ll shatter all the records".



In the 53rd minute, Iniesta scored the third Barça goal to make it 3-1, the goal that calmed the team down to achieve their goal of qualifying for the semifinals of the Champions League. With the ticket for the semis in the bag, Iniesta, in an interview on the Barça TV program ‘El Marcador’, pointed out how hard it will be to get to the Champions League Final, whether it be Benfica or Chelsea in the semifinal. "Whoever we get in the semifinals it will be really tough," he warned.

This Tuesday was the fifth consecutive time that Barça have reached the semifinals of the Champions League. "It’s the result of a job well done year after year and this is the only way you can put it. This team has ambition and results come with that"said Iniesta, for whom the squad is now "in very good shape", something they have to maintain.

Iniesta was pleased with his goal, and especially to "have helped the team" with it. At the same time, he’s very demanding with himself and with his performance in front of goal: "I feel that I’ve had chances and maybe should have scored more goals than I have. It’s a question of ambition, because I aim to help out in every game and become a more complete player. It's a challenge I set every year and I try to score more goals. There are times that, from off the pitch, it seems like a very clear goal chance, but on the pitch you choose to pass. But this factor shouldn’t condition my game although it might improve it, not just for myself but also for the team".

He dedicated his goal in the Milan match, as he’s done on other occasions, to his daughter Valeria. His celebration on Tuesday, however, was somewhat different, since it coincided with his little ones first birthday: "Like it or not it’s a small or great motivation for each player, and I’m really glad I could dedicate the goal to her".
Once again, Messi was decisive, this time with the two penalties he scored. Iniesta praised his teammate and, in turn, points to the importance of teamwork: "At Leo’s age, he’ll shatter all the records. For our part, we’ll just try to keep that going as long as we can. When the team works as a whole, everyone is able to give the best of themselves".

Iniesta is among the ten players with most matches played in FC Barcelona shirt: "It’s an honor and a privilege to join this list that’s so hard to achieve. It’s very difficult to reach these numbers and even more so for this club. We hope these stats continue to grow".

Now for Zaragoza

Now, with classification in the bag, it’s time to focus back on the League, starting with this Saturday's game at Zaragoza. "First up now, is Zaragoza. We’ll go there and try to play well and bring home all three points, and hope to be able to close the gap with Real Madrid". (via FCBarcelona.com)

"The veteran defender grabbed without Busquets in the area," says the BBC. "Busquets was held by Nesta" notes the Guardian.
In France, 'L'Equipe' recalls the two penalties in favor of the Barça did not listed in the first leg.

The controversy fueled by the media related to Milan ... and Madrid on penalties pitados Barça against all 'Rossoneri' has entered the discussion in the media in countries like England or France. While all contained the words of Ibrahimovic, all British media agreed that the penalty of Nesta to Busquets was as clear as unnecessary and even give Swedish vehement response to the statements of Pep Guardiola told a news conference.

In the 'BBC' are the "cheap penalty" committed by Nesta. "The defender, vast experience, Busquets unnecessarily grabbed inside the box" point in his match report. "Sergio Busquets was held by Alessandro Nesta in a corner and whistled Bjorn Kuipers' explain 'The Guardian'. "Alessandro Nesta stretched the shirt Busquets and Kuipers said the spot" argues 'The Telegraph'.

'L'Equipe' recognizes that there grab but questions whether "in a moment" should have brought. In any case remember that in the first leg Barça he "was deprived of two penalties." (via MD)

The "rage" of Milan "furious" because the second and "doubtful" penalty awarded to Barcelona resounds on the covers of the Italian press.

"Barça with a little help," the newspaper headlines on the cover of the country's best-selling sports, "La Gazzetta dello Sport", which states that, although Barça deserved the semifinal, "the second penalty given by referee changed the game." And one of the writers of the Milan daily on the cover says: "I would like to see how the match would have gone if he had gone to the second half with the 1-1 on the scoreboard."

"Euro Rabia" continues the newspaper in your internal pages to talk about the second penalty whistled to Alessandro Nesta for overthrow Busquets, "but because it Puyol blocks the Italian, who fell upon the enemy." That's no secret that the very "Gazzetta" recognize that the 17 shots on goal against of Barça two milanistas "prevent the episode invoke arbitration."

In fact, a survey of the medium itself makes clear the views of readers. To the question "If the referee had not awarded the second penalty, Milan had had hopes of qualifying?", 67% of readers said "no".

Diaries also collected the anger of Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and his words that assured understanding Mourinho at their grievances for arbitration.

"Milan furious" for his part called the newspaper "Corriere dello Sport" due to "a penalty that did not exist" even though the Milan "was mastered." The Roman daily highlights the words of coach milanista, Massimiliano Allegri, who said that the second penalty "gift" given the push I needed Barça.

"Milan eliminated and angry," headlined the daily "Corriere della Sera", although recognizing that the second penalty was "fatal", Barcelona proved its superiority. Also the "Corriere della Sera" gives space to the more angry of all, Ibra, and his phrase about "Mourinho's anger when playing at the Camp Nou."

Also Barbara Berlusconi, daughter of the owner and president of the club, reported that the arbitrator "conditioned the meeting" to give a penalty nonexistent. (via SPORT)

Despite claiming that the second penalty was, in his opinion, poorly stated, Dutchman Clarence Seedorf made ​​it clear that if Barça has gone to the semifinals was for overall merit.

"The timing of the second penalty was key, but not why we lost," said Seedorf at the microphones of TVE once the game. "On the field did not see what happened, but after talking to the referee, I think you made a mistake because if you were holding before, I should have stopped the game," said the milanista when referring to the play of the penalty from Nesta to Busquets.

"That time was hard for us, but do not want controversy and if Barcelona happened is because he has something more. It has been two intense games between two teams very important. We did what we could," deepened the Milan player, who thanked the ovation that he dedicated the Camp Nou when he retired from the field.

Finally, Seedorf predicted a Champions League final between Barcelona and Madrid. "I think they are the two favorites and the two strongest teams. Be an interesting fight if they reach the final because earlier are at Bayern and possibly Chelsea will fight them too."

VIDEO: www.sport.es

Isaac Cuenca, very happy with his starting place in the Champions League line-up on Tuesday against Milan, says he is fully focused on "doing things the best way possible to help the team".

In a short time he’s gone from being on loan to Sabadell, playing in the Second Division B, to becoming a Barça first-team player, having first played in the reserve team. Perhaps Isaac Cuenca could hardly imagine on the day of his official debut with the first team, on October 2oth, 2011, against Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League, that Josep Guardiola would include him in the starting line-up in the return leg of the quarter-final against Milan. "I have no time even to think about it. I'm enjoying the moment and each day I try to improve so I can help the team, and, in turn, become a better player" he said about the current dream he’s living.

According to the Barcelona winger, the fact that Josep Guardiola chose him to be in the starting line-up against Milan was a complete surprise: "I just felt really happy, the truth is that I didn’t expect it at all. When I was told that I would be playing I was thrilled. I’m very happy". In the same vein, Cuenca explained that once a player knows he’s in the starting eleven, "it doesn’t matter who you’re up against.......you just think about doing things the best way possible to help the team".

The rapid evolution of his career has done nothing to change his day to day routine: "I play in bigger stadiums with more spectators, and now people recognise me more in the street, but my life hasn’t changed".

Totally oblivious to the comments made about referees, and happy for Barça having achieved the fifth consecutive appearance in a Champions League semi-final, Cuenca said they think more about " what we have done more than what is being talked about from outside.....we’re dedicated to playing the best possible way and not thinking about other things. We’re delighted to continue making history". (via FCBarcleona.cat)

He wanted to congratulate the association ("had a lot of courage"), said that "this Barça is much Barça" and "suffered to 3-1".

The box at the Camp Nou yesterday was a hive of authorities, beginning with Artur Mas, President of the Generalitat de Catalunya.

But after the meeting said that "Barça is one of the two favorites to win the final, this tie was key and was passed. We have taken a giant step. "The President, who wanted to congratulate the association ("had a lot of courage"), said that "this Barça is much Barça" and "suffered to 3-1".

On the part FC Barcelona, ​​and the president, Sandro Rosell, was in the box, including managers, Josep Maria Bartomeu, who said that there were nine players from the youth home states "that in this club is future" . The vice president wanted to congratulate sports fans: "They've had fun and we thank them for coming. They'll be asked to come and support the team. ""The goal was to reach the semis and has succeeded, is a great success of the club," he said. Asked if the food policy is talked about a hypothetical interest in Barça's Thiago Silva, Bartomeu said, smiling, "We've talked about everything but football."

Asked by Chelsea, presumed rival in semis, said he "will be a very difficult opponent and will certainly be a great game." (via MD)

The defender sustained an injury on the bicep femoris of his left thigh. His recovery will mark his availability in Barça’s upcoming match.

Gerard Piqué needed to come off the pitch due to injury on the 75th minute of tonight’s match against AC Milan. The defender was substituted for Adriano. After the match, the team’s Medical Services confirmed that the player sustained an injury on the bicep femoris of his left thigh. His recovery will mark his availability in Barça’s upcoming match. The Catalans will face Zaragoza on Saturday at 20:00. (via FCBarcelona.com)

The Barça manager considers that reaching the Champions League semifinals five times on the trot shows “the hard work put in by the team”.

“We played against a team that have a lot of importance and history. We’ve earned everything that we’ve achieved”.

Josep Guardiola vigorously defended FC Barcelona’s passage to the semifinals of the Champions League. The Barça manager said that in the quarterfinal tie against Milan that “we fully deserved to go through.” He also disagreed with those that said that Barça should not be in the next round because the team scored two of their three goals from penalties. “They were penalties. We didn’t complain in the away leg (where Alexis was hauled down in the box), and we won’t complain now,” said Guardiola. He added that “grabbing players in the area should be penalized and they are penalties. On television, it’s a penalty.”

Besides the two penalties awarded to Barça, Guardiola said that “they only shot on goal three times, we shot 21 times. We had a lot of goalscoring chances and we did it with a three and four-man defence. We played against a team that have a lot of importance and history. We’ve earned everything we’ve achieved, just like we earned it there [Milan].”

This will be FC Barcelona’s fifth consecutive semifinal in the Champions League, the fourth with Guardiola on the bench. The manager believes that this feat shows “the power of the Club. It’s an achievement to maintain this level.” Also, that behind Barça’s consistency is “a lot of hard work,” no one has gifted the team anything.

The manager was also proud that nine La Masia players featured in Barça’s starting line-up. He said that they are “essence [of the Club] and heart [of the team].”

Guardiola explained why he didn’t play Alexis and instead opted for Cuenca and Alves. “We needed a player that would run down the wing and I decided to play Alves seeing that, along with Adriano, they are the only ones that allow me to go from a four-man defence to a three-man defence.” On Isaac Cuenca, he said that he “needed a very specific type of player” in tonight’s match.

He also talked about Andrés Iniesta, “he’s a player that has more goals than his stats reflect. He does a lot of things really well and he’s a player that respects the decisions of his manager. He’s fantastic.”

Barça will play in the Champions League semifinal against the winner of the Benfica - Chelsea playoff. Even though the English side have the advantage in the tie, seeing that they will play in Stamford Bridge with a 0-1 result from the away leg, Guardiola isn’t convinced that Chelsea will be his team’s next rival. “We have to be prudent because after watching the first game, Benfica created a lot of chances. Chelsea have a very good result but in the Champions League everything is difficult.” He did, however, analyse both teams. On the English side he said that “the important players will respond in the final phase [of the competition]. However, Benfica have done a great job these past couple of seasons. They are both tough rivals and we’ll have to prepare well for the semifinals in order to get to Munich.”(via FCBarcelona.com)

Dani Alves praised the work of arbitration, notably by two penalties mentioned.

Dani Alves explained that in his opinion both penalties were well marked by the Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers. "The penalty and grab it if it is within the area must pitarlo, so I think the referee has had personality."

"I'll take the great team work and good dusposicion of my teammates," said the Brazilian. As for the controversy that resulted in the two penalties and statements Ibrahimovic said that "everyone grabs what you want. It has only been a team that has put the play and scoring chances," he added.

Asked about the grip of Nesta, Sergi Busquets, told TV3 microphones that this is "a very clear penalty. Not grab me for a second or two but the whole play is whistled well," said Badia. (via SPORT)

Javier Mascherano spoke to Barça TV microphones after the meeting and wanted to respond to the words of Ibrahimovic to a Swedish channel.

"Now I understand why Mourinho complains when it comes to Camp Nou," said Swede Ibrahimovic to a channel just after the game. Not far from there and a few minutes apart, Mascherano He talked to Barça TV and TV3 and was told the words of Swedish. "Everyone has their opinion, but two penalties were very clear," said the Argentine. "We do not always help because Milan did not help us much," he added, referring to more of an arbitration award in San Siro.

Mascherano gave their views on the match: "Overall we did a good job defensively despite scoring a goal. Oportuindades They did not have to mark and this is due not only to the defense if not the defensive task of the whole team," said .

"Knowing that they have very strong players in attack had to have control of the game, create chances and score more than one goal," he said. Mascherano said change from three to four defenses necessary. "We started with a 3-4-3 because we needed people out since the Milan defended very good inside. But after the 2-1 defense was better prioritize and so we went back to back four," he said.

The Argentine has no preference for the semi-final opponent and wanted to achieve "the bell a third final in four years." (via SPORT)

The coach of Milan felt that the second penalty against said was crucial to his team could not eliminate a Barça he called "the favorite to win the Champions".

"In the first penalty we were wrong, but in the second referee has enough on his part," said Allegri, who recalled that it said on Thursday that "playing against Barcelona is not easy."

The coach milanista admitted that, after the azulgranas have taken the lead for the second time, his team is resigned to his fate: "That the game is much more complicated and we have already played nervous and uncomfortable."

In any case, Allegri has stressed that the team "has taken a step forward" in this year's top competition and has achieved "the minimum target it had set the club", which was to reach the quarterfinals. "Next year will certainly be more competitive," she added.

Por último, el técnico milanista ha declinado comentar la recaída de Pato, que tuvo que ser sustituido por Maxi López al poco de entrar en el terreno de juego, y ha reiterado que "el Barcelona es el favorito para ganar la 'Champions'". (via SPORT)

The milanista Zlatan Ibrahimovic was dispatched at ease in a Swedish television after the match.

"Now I understand why Mourinho is set so when it comes to Camp Nou," said azulgrana exdelantero to Swedish television after the match in reference to the two penalties mentioned in favor Barça in Tuesday's match at the Camp Nou.

"I do not understand why the club has to cheat. I can not believe he gave Barça a penalty when the ball was not at stake. Seem to want to have two teams in the same country," he added as he explained 'Catalunya Radio '.

By eliminating them, Ibrahimovic continues his slump in the Champions League, a competition which has not won despite having played in five league championship teams. (via SPORT)

THE BEST

Undoubtedly the classification and the way they are obtained. Barça was superior to that already exceeded Milan at San Siro without success in front of goal. Messi and Iniesta certified ratings for a semifinal that becomes the fifth row in the continental football showpiece.

THE WORST

Piqué's injury. The only sour note of the meeting was the injury of Gerard Piqué, who requested the change in the second half. Although it does not seem very serious, determined to be seen what the tests. Moreover, we again emphasize that this Barça still lacks some aim to 'kill' before matches. (via SPORT)

The vice president azulgrana was radiant team ranking for the semifinals of the Champions League and warned that both Chelsea and Benfica guarantee "a great semifinal."

congratulated the team and the Club on the hard work that’s been done over the year that has allowed FC Barcelona to reach their fifth consecutive semifinal in the Champions League. “Things have been done correctly for some time not. It’s a jewel that the world can see this team maintain this level.” The vice president recognised that he wasn’t nervous during the match, seeing that “we have a lot of confidence in this team” he also praised the fact that nine La Masia graduates were in the starting line-up. “It’s a reflection of work well done that’s been going on for years.” Finally, Bartomeu wanted to thank the fans for their support and he urged them to keep on coming to the stadium to carry the team in the final stretch of the season. (via FCBarcelona.com)

Barça have beaten AC Milan in style to extend their legend by becoming the first team to qualify for five consecutive semi finals in the Champions League era.

Messi, with two penalties, and Iniesta got the Barça goals.

The Champions League quarter final second leg 2011/12 will go down in history as one of Barcelona’s most magical nights in Europe. It was a tactically rich and intensely gripping encounter, in which Barça’s stylish football, ambitious game-plan and domination of possession overcome a gallant Milan side to qualify for the semi finals. For the fifth time in a row! The Catalans scored three times in doing so, but with a bit more fortune in front of goal, the margin could easily have been even wider.

Everything was still up in the air after the goalless draw at the Giuseppe Meazza. As expected, Milan continued with the conservative tactics that had earned them that draw in the first leg, while Barça, also as expected, went straight out and attacked. As always. Guardiola even risked a three-man defence, something very few managers would ever choose to do at such a crucial stage of this competition, fielding Alves and (surprisingly) Cuenca as his full backs.

With the Camp Nou more vociferous than ever, the home side got off to a blistering start. Only six minutes had passed and Messi had already had two wonderful chances, and was brought down in the area when he was about to attempt the third. The referee pointed to the sport, the Argentinian made no mistake, and Barça were in the lead after just ten minutes.

Barça were able to relax after getting the all-important goal. They kept things tight, always playing as a unit, and with Busquets in particular shining in midfield. Milan, meanwhile, almost looked divided in two: the strikers (Robinho, Boateng and Ibrahimovic), and the defenders (the rest). In the 32nd minute, Ibra found space and laid the ball on for Nocerino, who beat Valdés with an angled strike. It had been their first serious threat of the whole game, and the goal and such effectiveness stunned the Camp Nou. But the crowd wasn’t going to have to suffer for long…

Milan immediately responded by tightening their defence, while Barça continued playing football the only way they know and were soon back in the lead following a penalty awarded for a tug on Busquets’ shirt in the area, a decision the Milan players disputed intensely. Messi once again beat Abbiati from the spot, the third time he has done so in this edition of the Champions League. Immediately afterwards, it was Guardiola’s turn to modify his tactics in what sometimes resembled a game of human chess, as he reverted to a more traditional 4-3-3 system.

The defending champions were just as dominant after the break, although Milan always looked dangerous on the counter attack. But it was actually a Barça counter that led to the home side’s third goal of the evening. Messi led the move, and managed to get the ball to Iniesta, who finished things off in exquisite fashion.

The crowd could breathe at last. With a two goal cushion, the songs were more positive than ever, and one of the most impressive moments came when the home fans offered a generous ovation to veteran Clarence Seedorf when he was substituted in the 60th minute. Barça had started enjoying themselves, and looked reasonably home and dry, but the Milanese outfit never let their heads drop, and proudly battled on to keep Barça on their toes right until the end, even though things got increasingly more desperate for the visitors as every minute went by.

In the 68th minute, Thiago, who had come on for Xavi, came frustratingly close to making it four, and shortly after came the most negative moment of the night when an injured Piqué called to be substituted. Keen to avoid any other nasty surprises, Barça expertly managed the clock while also managing to create a series of late half chances. But little did it matter. More than deserved qualification for the semi finals was by now a certainty. One night more of Barça magic at the Camp Nou has taken the team into the semi finals for the fifth time in a row, and now all they have to do is wait until tomorrow to find out whether they will be playing Benfica or Chelsea. (via FCBarcelona.com)


[Match Stats]
FC Barcelona: Valdés; Alves, Piqué (Adriano, min.75), Mascherano, Puyol; Busquets, Xavi (Thiago, min.62), Iniesta; Messi, Cesc (Keita, min.77) and Cuenca.

AC Milán: Abbiati; Abate, Mexes, Nesta, Antonini; Nocerino, Ambrosini, Seedorf (Aquilani, min.60); Boateng (Pato, min.69) Maxi López, min.83í; Robinho and Ibrahimovic.

Goals: 1-0. Min.11, Messi (P).1-1. Min.32, Nocerino.2-1. Min.41, Messi (P).3-1. Min.53, Iniesta.

Referee: Björn Kuipers (NED). Admonished Mascherano (min.66), Cuenca (min.85) in Barcelona and Antonini (min.10), Nesta (min.39), Seedorf (min.40), Robinho (min.76), Mexes (min .90), Nocerino (min.90) at AC Milan.

Stadium: Camp Nou, 94,629 spectators.

VIDEO: http://youtu.be/NlXbvzUWmjU

The midfielder, who on Monday was not exercised, has done so this morning with the rest of their classmates in which was the last training before the match against the Italians.

Guardiola has worked with 20 players concentrates for the match -17 the first team and Tello, Muniesa and Montoya, B.

Xavi Hernández has been one of the players this afternoon has jumped to the Camp Nou for the last training before the important match against AC Milan. The midfielder has worked normally with the rest of the team after not participate in Monday's session. Guardiola, in the press conference after the match against Milan, reported that the '6' Barça takes two days with discomfort in the calf. "

The 20 players named by Guardiola have left for a few hours the concentration in the Hotel Majestic to approach to the Stadium and exercise in heavy rain. Recall that for this match coach has 17 first team players, in addition to Tello, Muniesa and Montoya, Barça B. Together with its partners have also worked Afellay and Abidal.

After training the team has once again raised the bus to travel back to the team hotel, where comeraán and will be until about 18.45 hours. At that time the players will come to the Camp Nou where from 2045 hours will begin the crucial match between Barça and Milan and in which game will be on the ticket to the semifinals of the Champions League. (via FCBarcelona.cat)

The press notes that only transalpine has signed a target in seven games.

The Italian press, especially following the current AC Milan, is scrutinizing the data from FC Barcelona to test how far it can encrypt all possibilities for the 'Rossoneri' to eliminate Barça. And looking, searching, found that only Leo Messi scored a goal in seven games he has played against Italian teams in the Champions League. Seven games against Udinese (1), Inter Milan (3) and AC Milan against himself (3) in which the Argentine could only score a target and a penalty. It was in the penultimate of these games against rivals transalpine, Milan-Barça in the group stage of the current edition of the Champions azulgrana victory that ended 2-3. Leo scored the 1-2 from the penalty spot and also with suspense. And in its first release was a 'paradiña' very exaggerated motivated protestasen Milan players and the referee, Wolfgang Stark of Germany, ordered to repeat the shot.

In the replay, Messi opted for the clásico: powerful shot in the bottom left of the goal of Abbiati, his corner up. Result, almost always: goal. In previous games against Italian opposition, and in the last week against Milan, Leo failed to score.

These games were a Barça-Udinese (4-1) of the Champions league 2005-06, the two semi-final against Inter of Mourinho in 2009-10 and an earlier one also against the Nerazzurri in the group stage, and two of the season against Milan, one of the league and the quarterfinal last week.

The finding is surprising for Messi and the press in Italy yesterday boasted that the 'calcio' does know stop Leo. So someone would do well to give Barça get a copy of MD at Messi with breakfast. When you are Argentine genius as anyone challenges like those launched from Italy. (via MD)