Champions League

MILAN TAKE FIRST-LEG LEAD

AC Milan will take a sensational 2-0 lead to the Camp Nou on 12 March after upsetting the Spanish giants in the first leg of their last 16 Champions League clash. After a cagey opening 45 minutes the hosts got the run off the ball after 57 minutes as Giampaolo Pazzini's free-kick bounced off Cristian Zapata and into the path of Kevin-Prince Boateng who thumped his shot into the bottom corner past a statuesque Víctor Valdes. The Rossoneri doubled their advantage with nine minutes of the game remaining thanks to another former Portsmouth player in Sulley Muntari. Boateng found Stephan El Shaarawy in space on the edge of the box and his clever flick set up midfield man Muntari to smash his left-foot volley home. The Catalans have it all to do in the second leg if they hope to reach the last eight of the competition for a sixth successive year. Should make for interesting viewing!

FULL-TIME

That's it! AC Milan have beaten Barcelona 2-0 in this last 16 first leg encounter at the San Siro.

TOWERING HEADER

We are well into the FIVE added minutes of stoppage time at the San Siro and the hosts are defending deep. Ignazio Abate climbs high to head the ball away.

SHELL-SHOCKED

Barcelona look shell-shocked here and so does Lionel Messi who has failed to influence the game like he usually does. The Catalans are heading for a rare defeat as we enter stoppage time.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Stephan El Shaarawy is given a massive ovation as he is replaced by Bakaye Traore. Barca respond by sending on Javier Mascherano for the injured Carles Puyol.

REAL SHOCK

The Rossoneri have scored 401 goals in the European Cup after their double tonight. Remember, Barcelona are unbeaten in their last seven meetings with AC Milan, winning 4 and drawing 3. Milan's last win against Barcelona dates back to October 2004. This would be a huge scalp if they can hold onto this 2-0 lead. An away goal would change the whole tie of course.

KILLER SECOND

Wow! There is a real shock on the cards in this Champions League last-16 first leg tie in the San Siro as AC Milan double their lead thanks a fantastic second goal. Kevin-Prince Boateng found Stephan El Shaarawy in space and he cleverly set up Sulley Muntari to smash his left-foot volley into the bottom corner with Barcelona defenders nowhere to be seen.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

SULLEY MUNTARI

JUST WIDE

Alexis Sanchez earns his side a free-kick in a dangerous position with both Lionel Messi and Xavi standing over the ball. However, Xavi's right-foot strike just creeps past the near post although Christian Abbiati seemed to have it covered.

JUST WIDE

Andres Iniesta decides enough is enough and lets fly with a thunderbolt of a right-foot shot which fizzes wide of Christian Abbiati's far post.

SUBSTITUTION

Mbaye Niang replaces Giampaolo Pazzini as Massimiliano Allegri makes his first change of the match.

PASSING GAME

Xavi finds space about 20 yards from goal but instead of shooting he looks to find a teammate. Now Andres Iniesta sends his pass off target.

BARCA BOOING

Carlos Puyol is still getting patched up on the touchline as Barcelona continue with the game. Because they opted against giving the ball back to the home side, they're receiving a right old barracking from the San Siro crowd.

HEAD INJURIES

Alexis Sanchez's first touch lets him down as Milan thump the ball upfield and Giampaolo Pazzini takes a heavy knock from Carles Puyol. The Barca defender is a lucky man because Pazzini was in the clear had he not taken that heavy smash.

WILD EFFORT

The home supporters cheer to their heart's content as Lionel Messi smashes his free-kick from 27 yards well over the crossbar.

SUBSTITUTION

Former Udinese striker Alexis Sanchez comes on to the field in place of Cesc Fabregas.

PIQUE CARDED

Gerard Pique was booked after complaining to referee Craig Thomson about the goal. Meanwhile, Barca assistant coach Jordi Roura is getting ready to make a change in his attack.

SURPRISE LEAD FOR MILAN

Stephan El Shaarawy is brushed off the ball for a Milan free-kick in a dangeous position. They play it short to Giampaolo Pazzini who smashes his shot off his own player in Cristian Zapata before Kevin-Prince Boateng thumps the rebound into the bottom corner past a statuesque Víctor Valdes.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

KEVIN-PRINCE BOATENG

BOOKING APIECE

Sergio Busquets is booked after sliding in on Giampaolo Pazzini and now the Italian forward is penalised for using his arms to control the ball.

TACTICAL GAME

Massimiliano Allegri seemed to have instructed his side to defend much tighter as they move up and down the pitch as a unit with Massimo Ambrosini dropping into the hole between the lines where Lionel Messi operates.

QUIET CROWD

The crowd have been silenced at the start of this half with the Catalans happy to keep possession around the centre circle. The Italians defend the attempted flick to Jordi Alba, but it's coming back.

NEAT PLAY

Milan keep the ball and play some nice triangular football in midfield. That is until a raking pass out wide is picked off. Andres Iniesta is felled by the hard-working Kevin-Prince Boateng.

NO CHANGES

There have been no substitutions made at the interval and the pattern has already been established for this second half as the men in yellow and orange keep possession.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

What will the second half bring us at the San Siro Stadium? Last season, Barcelona and Milan drew twice in the group stage before the Blaugrana claimed a 3-1 aggregate victory in the quarter-finals after the first leg had finished goalless in Italy. Among the teams in the Champions League last 16, Milan are the only one who have yet to win at home in this season's competition.

ITALIAN JOB

Although Barcelona have pretty much dominated possession in the opening 45 minutes, AC Milan have created the better opportunities. None more so than when Stephan El Shaarawy was put through by Kevin-Prince Boateng, but the young Italian overran the ball with his second touch which allowed Víctor Valdes enough time to gather it. Both players combined towards the end of the half but El Shaarawy failed to make a decent enough connection from Boateng to send it past Valdes. At the other end Lionel Messi has looked threatening, but Barca have hardly had a shot in anger of note.

HALF-TIME

No stoppage time of note and referee Craig Thomson decides to blow his whistle for the break.

BREAK IN PLAY

The Rossoneri clear their lines which allows Stephan El Shaarawy to break, but he is eventually croweded out by three Barcelona defenders. Now Riccardo Montolivo takes a crack in the ribs and play is stopped so that he can receive some attention.

MORE MILAN DEFENDING

Sulley Muntari gifts the ball back to Barcelona after sloppy play in the middle of the park. Milan are defending the width of the penalty area and are doing a very professional job at keeping the four-time European champions at bay at the San Siro.

TANTILISING CROSS

Kevin-Prince Boateng finds some space down the right-hand side of the field and delivers a delicious cross which is just missed by the flying Stephan El Shaarawy in the six-yard box.

BREATHING SPACE

Stephan El Shaarawy counters and Sulley Muntari does well to win his side a free-kick and time to give his side a much-needed breather.

CONCENTRATION

Riccardo Montolivo has looked good in possession tonight, but saying that, he gives the ball away and Barcelona pass it about the edge of the box until the flag is raised on the near side with Dani Alves just creeping ahead of the play. Excellent concentration from the home side to keep a straight line on the edge of the area.

MAXIMUM MASSIMO

Lionel Messi breaks away down the right, but once again Milan gather round him to stop him from going any further with his run. The ball is soon back in Barcelona's hands until Massimo Ambrosini steps in to win it back. The skipper is working extremely hard in front of his back four and putting in a good shift.

BARCA POSSESSION

Andres Iniesta attempts a slick backheel, but Riccardo Montolivo reads the danger and slams the ball to safety. The visitors are enjoying 60 per cent of posssession in this game and that's exactly what Massimiliano Allegri expected.

FIRST BOOKING

Massimo Ambrosini loses the ball to Lionel Messi and then Philippe Mexes is shown a yellow card by referee Craig Thomson after he brings down the Argentine just inside the Milan half.

SUPER CHALLENGE

The game has settled and so have Milan as Massimo Ambrosini's tackle on Lionel Messi is received by a huge cheer. Cesc Fabregas battles for the ball, but ends up giving it away.

SOLID HANDLING

The Rossoneri seem to be growing in confidence but Philippe Mexes overruns the ball and stretches to win it back but he only allows the visitors to break. Xavi warms the hands of Christian Abbiati with a rasping drive from 30 yards. The ball seemed to be heading into the top corner until the Italian shot-stopper sorted out his angles.

JUST WIDE

From the resulting corner Kevin-Prince Boateng flicks the ball just wide of the far post with Víctor Valdes scrambling across his goal. The San Siro crowd lift their voices after seeing their Milan side create a couple of chances against the Catalans.

CHANCE FOR MILAN

This is already a draining experience for AC Milan who are having to work extremely hard to try and keep possession. This time they do create a good opportunity as Kevin-Prince Boateng's through ball puts Stephan El Shaarawy away but his second touch lets him down, allowing Víctor Valdes to claim the ball.

WORRIED MEXES

Milan almost concede an own goal as Pedro gets away down the right-hand side before his cross is touched wide of the far post by an anxious Philippe Mexes, who has been a busy defender in the last couple of minutes. However, even if it had gone in, it wouldn't have counted as the flag had gone up on the far side.

PIQUE PICKLE

Milan do just enough to get the resulting corner to safety as Gerard Pique climbs highest in the box to chest the ball down before it's hammered away, but the ball is coming back one way.

BUSY MEXES

Barcelona are back on the ball and threatening. They work the ball to Jordi Alba but his cross is cleared by Philippe Mexes and moments later the Frenchman is at the feet of Lionel Messi to block his shot.

SHAARAWY OFFSIDE

Massimo Ambrosini lifts the ball forward for the lively Stephan El Shaarawy, but he is caught offside. The youngster has scored 18 goals this season for the Serie A outfit and will look to add to his tally against the mighty Barcelona. Now Kevin-Prince Boateng fouls Cesc Fabregas for a free-kick to the visitors.

EARLY STRIKE

Wonderful work by Barcelona as they look to get in behind the backline, but Milan counter-attack through former Portsmouth man Kevin-Prince Boateng. And another former Pompey man Sulley Muntari hits a cracking left-foot volley from 30 yards, but the ball flies over the crossbar.

PRESSING GAME

Massimillano Allegri has stressed that AC Milan will not be 'sacrificial lambs' against Barcelona tonight. He has gone with exactly the same formation as the Blaugrana - a 4-3-3 system - so it will be interesting to see how they fare against the favourites. Firecrackers are still going off in this famous stadium as the visitors immediately keep possession until the hosts press high up the park and win the ball back to huge cheers.

UNDERDOGS

On the strength of their recent performances in Europe against the Spanish giants, seven-time champions Milan go into this clash as clear underdogs. AC Milan's last win against Barcelona dates back to October 2004 at the San Siro in the group stages of the Champions League, which was a 1-0 win. They will need a similar scoreline tonight if they want to give themselves a chance in the Camp Nou on 12 March. Milan, who have battled to climb to third place in Italy's Serie A but are 11 points behind leaders Juventus, are still rebuilding after a huge summer clear-out.

WE'RE UNDERWAY

The atmosphere at the famous San Siro Stadium in Milan is something to behold. A sea of colours from the home supporters, who are raising the temperature. The pitch is in decent condition too considering how many matches are played on this surface every season. The Serie A side are in their famous red and black striped shirts, black shorts and black socks while Barca are wearing their colours of the Senyera, the Catalan flag, which is a fusion of orange and yellow. You can't miss them ... even the little man Lionel Messi as the game gets underway.

TEAM NEWS

Milan have Stephan El Shaarawy ready to provide the additional firepower tonight with Mario Balotelli cup-tied. Phillipe Mexes returns to the side after his one game European ban. Bojan Krkic has to settle for a place on the bench while Robinho is a out due to injury. Giampaolo Pazzini will play in the middle of a front three for the Italian club. Barcelona are boosted by the return of playmaker Xavi, who has recovered from a hamstring problem to start. Andres Iniesta and Carles Puyol also start after being rested for the weekend victory at Granada. There are no fewer than nine Spanish-born players in the Catalans' starting line-up.

TEAMS

AC MILAN: Abbiati, Abate, Mexes, Zapata, Constant, Ambrosini, Montolivo, Muntari, Boateng, Pazzini, El Shaarawy. SUBSTITUTES: Amelia, De Sciglio, Traore, Niang, Bojan, Cristante, Yepes. BARCELONA: Valdes, Dani Alves, Pique, Puyol, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas, Pedro, Messi, Iniesta. SUBSTITUTES: Pinto, Sanchez, Thiago, Mascherano, Montoya, Song, Tello. REFEREE: Craig Thomson (Scotland).

MATCH PREVIEW

AC Milan against Barcelona is surely the reason why UEFA created the European Champion Clubs' Cup. This last-16 first leg encounter at a sold-out San Siro Stadium in Milan will see these two giants of the game go head-to-head for a spot in the last eight of the Champions League. The Rossoneri are aiming to win the trophy for an eighth time, while their Catalans opponents are seeking a fifth success in the competition. Massimiliano Allegri's side are on an impressive run of just one defeat in 13 league games but they have failed to defeat Barca in the past seven meetings between the two sides, with the Catalans having claimed four victories in that time and twice knocking Milan out of the competition. The one shining light for the hosts is that the Blaugrana have failed to keep a clean sheet in nine matches. The visitors do come into town in high spirits though as they currently sit 12 points clear of Atletico Madrid in the Primera Liga standings and their star man Lionel Messi is in red hot form having already bagged an impressive 48 goals to his name in all-competitions so far this season and 12 in his past nine games. He recently scored his 300th and 301st goals for the club and he will look to add to his tally of 56 goals in 74 Champions League games against the Serie A giants tonight. Last season, Barcelona and Milan drew twice in the group stage before the Catalans claimed a 3-1 aggregate victory in the quarter-finals and Barca are firm favourites to breeze past the Italians once again.

ALLEGRI WARY OF BARCA

Milan head coach Allegri is aware that his side must try and limit Barcelona's possession in order to have any chance of causing an upset. He said: "We know that at the moment they are the best team in the world, but we have to try and create the elements to go through to the next round, although we know that whoever they play against they have an average of 65 per cent possession. We have to try and limit their possession, making them less dangerous because they are so dangerous when they go forward."

EARLY MILAN TEAM NEWS

Milan will be without cup-tied Mario Balotelli, who previously featured with Manchester City as they were ousted in the group stage. However, Stephan El Shaarawy and Bojan Krkic will look to provide additional firepower while Phillipe Mexes will return to the side after his one game European ban but Robinho is a major doubt. Giampaolo Pazzini set to play in the middle of a front three for the Italian club with Allegri expected to stick with the wide forwards from Milan's 2-1 win over Parma on Friday.

POIGNANT AFFAIR

The match will be a poignant affair for interim coach Jordi Roura as he returns to the stadium where he suffered an injury that ultimately forced him to end his career. He leads Barca in the clash in the absence of Tito Vilanova, who is recovering from throat surgery, just over 23 years after Roura damaged ligaments in his right knee during a Supercup game involving the same two clubs. "I have returned several times since then as part of the Barcelona staff. A lot has happened since, life always gives you more opportunities," Roura told a news conference. "I've said it a lot of times - Milan are one of the best, they are a very good team and this is a very difficult stadium. I don't understand this heavy favouritism, it doesn't make sense. It's very strange."

MEETING OF FRIENDS

Former Arsenal teammates Mathieu Flamini and Cesc Fabregas will be on opposite sides tonight. They played together in the heart of the Gunners' engine room between 2006-08 before Flamini decided to join Milan. Fabregas has since joined Barcelona and is looking forward to taking on his good friend for the crunch knockout clash. Fabregas said: “The best thing about Mathieu on the pitch is the way he covers the ground. He's one of the best partners I made in my career. We played very well and we combined very well." Meanwhile, the Frenchman said: "He is full of quality. He reads the game incredibly well and he's very sharp in front of goal."

EARLY BARCA TEAM NEWS

Barcelona head into this clash after recording a 2-1 victory away to Granada in La Liga on Saturday. They are boosted by the return of playmaker Xavi, who has recovered from a hamstring problem. However, Adriano (thigh), Eric Abidal and David Villa (both illness) have not made the trip to Italy.

MATCH OFFICIALS

The referee in charge of this encounter is Scotland's Craig Thomson. The 40-year-old has been officiating since the age of 16 and counts golf, reading and cinema among his hobbies. His assistants down the lines are Derek Rose and Alasdair Ross while the fourth official is Graham Chambers. The additional assistant referees behind the goals are Steven McLean and Kevin Clancy.