Atlético Madrid made it two wins out of two for Spanish sides after they beat AC Milan 0-1 on Wednesday. Defending the honour of Italy as the country’s only team left in the competition, Milan had the better chances before the break, with Kaká seeing his shot headed over the bar by a defender, and Courtois producing the save of the night from a Poli header. Kaká and Balotelli both went close before the half time whistle, and although Atlético did put together several attacks, Abbiati wasn’t tested until he had to keep out a long shot by Raúl García later on in the second half. With seven minutes to go though Abate could only head a Gabi corner up in to the area, and Diego Costa was waiting at the far post to steer a header past the keeper. It was enough for a win which gives Simeone’s side on track for a place in the quarter finals. (19.02.14)
A great result for Barcelona in the opening day of the Champions League knock-out stage, a 0-2 victory at Manchester City taking them close to a place in the quarter finals. Honours were shared in a tense first half, but the turning point of the match came some ten minutes after the break when Demichelis brought Messi down in the area as he advanced on goal. Red card, penalty, and Messi stepped up to fire home the spot kick. The Premier League side weathered the next few minutes though, Xavi and Dani Alves shooting wide and Pique having a strike ruled out for offside, and Valdés had to make a couple of important saves later on, in particular from David Silva and Dzeko. With the game coming to an end however Alves picked up a return pass from Neymar and ran on to fire a shot through the legs of Joe Hart to give his team a good lead going in to the return leg in the Nou Camp. (18.02.14)