AC Milan stuns Barcelona: Champions League
Kevin-Prince Boateng opened scoring in 57th minute
The Associated Press
Posted: Feb 20, 2013 6:23 PM ET
Last Updated: Feb 20, 2013 7:34 PM ET
AC Milan's Kevin Prince Boateng, left, and his
teammate Sulley Muntari celebrate at the end of their Champions League
round of 16, first leg soccer match against Barcelona in Milan, Italy on
Wednesday. (Fabio Ferrari/Associated Press)
Kevin-Prince Boateng gave Milan the lead in controversial circumstances in the 57th minute. Cristian Zapata appeared to handle Riccardo Montolivo's assist in the buildup.
Barcelona players protested but to no avail and Gerard Pique was booked in the process.
Sulley Muntari sealed the win nine minutes from time with a well-worked goal.
Milan contained Barcelona's potent attack impressively, allowing it just two shots on target all match.
Lionel Messi, kept quiet by Milan, had two late chances from free kicks and sent both shots well over the crossbar.
The result was a massive boost to Milan's turnaround from a dreadful start to the season. Massimiliano Allegri's side was 15th in the Italian league after eight games but has risen to third.
It still went into the home match as a firm underdog against a Barcelona side which has lost only twice all season in the league and in Europe.
"I think it was a great game," Allegri said. "The lads deserved this win. We didn't concede anything in defence and we had several chances. But it wasn't perfect, we were a bit lacking with the last ball in the first half but the team grew in the second. I think this is an important victory which will put us through. We could even have won 3-0, but I understand tiredness set in a bit.
"This is everyone's win, the players who played, those who didn't, the staff ... everyone."
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