Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Dani
Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Adriano; Xavi (Alex Song 87'), Busquets,
Iniesta (Fàbregas 77'); Alexis, Messi, Neymar (Pedro 84'). 4-3-3.
Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Zapata, Mexes, Emanuelson; Poli (Birsa
73'), De Jong, Montolivo, Muntari; Kaká (Matri 84'); Robinho (Balotelli
46'). 4-4-1-1.
Goals:
1-0. 30. Messi (penalty). After Abate brought down
Neymar inside the area.
2-0. 40. Busquets. Ran in to head wide Xavi free
kick down past Abbiati.
2-1. 45. Piqué (own goal). Deflected
Kaká cross in to own net from near post.
3-1. 83. Messi. Picked up
Fàbregas return pass and lifted shot over keeper.
Barcelona have already made sure of their place in the last sixteen after beating AC Milan 3-1 on Wednesday evening. As expected, the Italian side put out a defensive line-up, and chances were few and far between up to the half hour mark, when Neymar won a penalty off Abate which Messi converted. Ten minutes later Busquets got free of his markers to head a wide Xavi free kick down past Abbiati, but with the first half coming to a close Piqué turned Kaká's cross in to his own net trying to clear. Allegri brought on Balotelli at the break, and the ex Manchester City striker immediately made his impact, bringing a good save out of Valdés and producing a run which ended with Kaká shooting wide. Abbiati had to save from Iniesta and Alexis though and Neymar fired a shot over the bar after cutting across the edge of the box, and with ten minutes to go Messi picked up a return pass from Fàbregas to wrap things up with a shot over the advancing keeper. A good win against the strongest team in the group, and with a five point gap over the rest, just one more point will ensure them top spot.