Barcelona Beats AC Milan 3-2 to Win Group H
Barcelona clinched top spot in Group H by beating AC Milan 3-2 on Wednesday despite twice losing the lead in a pulsating Champions League match and allowing Zlatan Ibrahimovic to score against his former club.
Xavi Hernandez ran onto Lionel Messi's perfect pass into the area to slot in the winning goal in the 63rd minute, sealing the group win with one game remaining.
Both teams had already qualified for the knockout stages, which may have contributed to their willingness to attack throughout in a game that easily could have had an even bigger scoreline.
"Barca showed today how strong it is," Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said. "Obviously if you come to San Siro, you're going to have problems. I had to choose between taking out an attacker or defender.
"If this game had been more decisive than I would have focused more on defense. We're happy with the win, with the game that we gave the fans because they're the most important."
Milan midfielder Mark van Bommel gave Barcelona the lead in the 14th minute with an own goal and, despite Ibrahimovic's leveler, Messi's twice-taken penalty ensured the defending champions went into the break in front.
Kevin-Prince Boateng pounced in the 54th to get Milan back into the game, but Messi slotted the ball through a throng of defenders for Xavi to seal the win.
"It's not easy to win at the San Siro," Guardiola added. "For me it's a real honor. It's one of those nights that you'll never forget.
"We're really happy with how we played. Milan is a great team with a great history. It really means something to win here. They're happy with the way they played, we're happy with the game. So we're all happy."
The Serie A champion held Barcelona to a 2-2 draw in the opening Champions League group game, back in September, but Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said his players gave a better performance on home turf despite losing.
"Barcelona were better but we had a good game," Allegri said. "We created several chances and we come out of this game with our heads held high, we know from this game that we can compete well with great teams. ... I think we are on the right road. It's a good sign for the knockout stages."
Source: Associated Press
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