Milan, deserved winners; Barça and Messi, very disappointing
Posted on February 20, 2013 11:56 pm
Milan pulled today one of the biggest surprises in a while in the Champions League. If you look player by player, the Rossoneri squad is not even close to Barcelona’s, however, a strong collective effort, a little luck and a terrible match by the Catalans ended up with a result that, while not necessarily fair, was a deserve punishment for a totally unambitious culé side at San Siro.
In the first half very little happened. Barcelona controlled possession almost completely, while Milan, with a totally misleading 4-3-3, was devoted more to close gaps in their own side and preventing Messi, Iniesta, Xavi and company from feeling comfortable. In fact, the best Barça player in the first half was probably Pedro, who seemed to be the only one capable of creating trouble to a Milan side that was happy putting all its players behind the ball, starting with Boateng and El Shaarawy, who usually ended up as side backs instead of wingers.
Actually, what was really surprising was Barcelona’s lack of ambition. Jordi Roura’s boys seemed content to pass the ball from side to side and go home with the 0-0 to finish the in the return leg. The Italians, meanwhile, did not dare to leave their defensive stance. Neither side merited to get an edge in the first forty-five minutes, or even at the beginning of the second half, which started in the same way.
Everything changed when Milan bumped into a goal. A free kick close to the Barça goal ended up in a Montolivo shot that bounced off the hand of Zapata to Boateng’s feet the Ghanaian slotted it home with an excellent shot, opening the mark. A key goal, with a high percentage of luck, no doubt. After the goal, the social networks exploded saying it should have been disallowed, but they were wrong. The rules are very clear. If there is intention, it should be punished, if there’s none, it shouldn’t. It is very clear that the Colombian defender wants to get out of the shot and the ball bounced at him at very short range making it impossible to get away from the ball. If Milan took advantage of the handball or not, if the handball was clear or not, it doesn’t matter. No intention, no whistle, as simple as that.
Thereafter, Barcelona completely faded, especially Lionel Messi. The weak spot of the best player in the world is when he gets desperate and wants to win games on his own. It hadn’t happened since the return leg of last year’s Champions League semi-finals against Chelsea, but he was at his worst once again tonight. He drifted too deep to get the ball, and refused to pass it. Again and again he tried to dribble past four or five opponents, and always ended up losing the ball.
Barcelona have become so used to rely so heavily on their great idol that when he’s on a bad night they are left without any alternatives, especially as Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez were not much better either. Iniesta also played his own game, without thinking of his teammates and the number 6 played as if the goals were on each side of the pitch. Barça’s first shot was a good Iniesta effort… at the 75th minute!! Meanwhile, Milan sat back and waited for their chance to give the death blow in a counterattack.
And that’s exactly what happened. After a counter, an exceptional pass by El Shaarawi was finished perfectly by Muntari. The Rossoneri won the only way a less talented team can beat the Catalans, by being very supportive in defense and finishing their few chances.
Barcelona now faces a very similar scenario than the one they faced against Mourinho‘s Inter and Chelsea in the last edition of the Champions League. Both times they weren’t able to overcome the disadvantage. Theu will need to play a perfect match and Messi must understand that to do that, he must trust your talented peers. Otherwise, the history will be repeated.
I disagree with your opinion of AC Milan.
They are very young and don’t carry a bunch of big, established names (unless you count KPB) but they’re wildly talented, have a ton of speed and are very capable of beating anyone.
I think that if they keep the core of the team together for a couple of years they’re going to be an astonishing side.
Disagree with the premise that Barcelona didn’t play well. They played how they always play. By stating they didn’t play well, the author is taking credit away from Milan and placing blame on Barcelona, but the opposite is true. Milan were brilliant at neutralizing Barcelona, and equally well at generating the chances that Barcelona failed to.
If you compare player by player, in theory, there’s not even one Milan player who could start for Barcelona. They are third in Serie A while Barça lead the Spanish League by a huge margin. They do have some young, interesting players, I really like Montolivo (who’s not that young), and on his day, Boateng is very powerful. I’m not so sure about El Shaarawy yet.
Still, Barça didn’t play well, they completely lacked imagination, despite the high possession rate, they weren’t ambitious at all at nil-nil and when they went one down, most of its stars wanted to win the game on their own. Heck, they didn’t even shot until the 75th minute!
Milan played a very good defensive game, on the blueprint of Inter and Chelsea, but Barça were far from their best.
“I’m not so sure about El Shaarawy yet.”
watch more milan games, and you will be sure about him.
He’s great, but he’s still too young. I’ve learned through experience that players tend to peak at different times. He can be even better or disappear into oblivion.
the supposed hand ball actually bounced off his head. watch again in slo mo.
I think Milan defended really well and Barca were not at their best, but I think you’re being a bit too harsh on Messi.
IT would be a fun return leg. I hope Barca can pull it off!
Barcelona has created its own monster…teams defending with 11 payers, conceding 75%+ possession beyond 25 yards and daring the Catalans to do something differently. They don’t. They may complete 600 passes per game, but they are never willing to even serve a cross in from the flanks. I would never whistle/boo these modern day masters, but teams that are prepared to press Barca hard in their defensive half with discipline over 90 minutes can sometimes earn the type of win AC Milan got tonight.
100% agree with everything you say.
Exactly, and one wonders why Barcelona is so unwilling to change their approach when circumstances simply demand they adjust the tiki-taka to a more direct approach. Is it because they are unwilling…or because they can’t? A guy like Ibrahimovic with a little size up top would have been of great value yesterday.
Had a feeling Milan would win this one. Teams are now coping with Barcelonas style.
Milan defended nicely, and I think their second half was very well managed (overall throughout the game, Milan had a lot more options in front of goal than Barca).
Barcelona played like always and have very ver very few chances on goal, and they looked BORING… I really hope Milan advances on Camp Nou.
“the Rossoneri squad is not even close to Barcelona’s,” that statement is insulting and if you really believe that then you lose all credibility.
I mean c’mon it’s AC Milan not Crystal Palace…
How many AC Milan players would crack into the Barcelona first XI. I rest my case.
barca’s only untouchable players are xavi, iniesta and messi. milan players can fit right in all the other spots.
TBH, I think there is a possibility that Barcas dominance in Europe is just about over. This proves that if messi played for any other team in europe he would not be “the worlds best”. He IMO, is a average player. Say what you will, but the boy is no Henry, or ronaldinho. He is average in my book. Henry can dribble a ball past the whole team almost at will.
Hell, if you passed the ball to me to score 40 times in a match, i’ll eventually score one too.
And against Milan, that tactic didn’t work for them.
Can barca win the next match? yeah sure of course they can, But chances are that they will do the same thing they did this game, as they do every game, and Milan will stop them…Again.
^ soooooooooooo true.
Your logic makes no sense. First of all, all dominance comes to an end eventually. Think about it. Second, you & other like-minded haters are claiming this after a couple weeks of games. Third, did Henry or Ronaldinho dominate for ever, against the best teams in the world?
40 passes & you’ll score one? Isn’t that exactly what forwards are supposed to do? Receive passes, shoot, & eventually score? I don’t get it you’re logic (or better yet, lack of). And no, eventually you will not score one.
About Martin del Palacio
My name is Martín del Palacio Langer, I live in Barcelona and I'm a freelance contributor to FIFA.com, World Soccer magazine, Kicker, MedioTiempo.com, PasionSports and some other publications around the world. I love the tactical and statistical side of football but understand that passion is the most important ingredient in the game. Hope you enjoy this blog and feel free to contact me in the comments section or in www.twitter.com/martindelpENG (for English) and www.twitter.com/martindelp (for Spanish)Popular Store Items
Popular Posts
Latest from the Forum
About Big Soccer
Copyright © 2011 Big Internet Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Click here for our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Views expressed by the bloggers and users of BigSoccer do not represent the views of Big Internet Group, LLC.