Match Report: Tuesday 18/04/2006 20:45 (GMT+2): Champions League 1st Leg

AC Milan 0 – FC Barcelona 1
San Siro, Milano – attendance: 76.600


Referee: Alain Sars (France)


0 - 1 (Giuly '57)


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Váldes – Oleguer (Motta '74), Puyol, Marquez, Gio – Van Bommel, Edmilson, Iniesta, - Giuly (Belletti '70) , Eto'o, Ronaldinho (Maxi '88) – Manager: Frank Rijkaard




Ac Milan: Dida - Serginho, Kaladze, Nesta, Stam (Cafú '76)- Gatusso (Ambrossini '73), Pirlo (Maldini '66), Seedorf, Kaka' - Shevchenko, Gilardino - Manager: Carlo Ancelotti


FC Barcelona are in pole position to qualify for the Champions League final after a goal from Ludovic Giuly gave them a superb 1-0 win against AC Milan at the San Siro. French international Giuly handed Barça a considerable advantage and one step in the Paris final on May 17. Barça showed a Champion-like performance and they dealt a decisive blow to the ageing Rossoneri who failed to impress over the entire 90 minutes in their third semi-final in four years. The 1-0 victory is a massive result for FC Barcelona at San Siro and brings them very close to the final in Paris.



In the opening period Barcelona were surprised twice by some fierce Milan attack. The first goal scoring opportunity was created by Alberto Gilardino who turned through Barca defender´s Rafael Marquez and Oleguer, but only managed to hit the post. Then just a minute later, hard working midfielder Gennaro Gattuso released Clarence Seedorf on the left side and the Dutch midfielder crossed for Milan´s top star Shevchenko, who headed the ball direct into Valdés chest at the far post.


This was more or less it and after this shocking start for FC Barcelona, Barca started to control the game - Barça finished the match with long ball control of all their field players during 1 minute 72 seconds -. Iniesta was working hard in midfield, Van Bommel had Seedorf totally under control and Edmilson paid excellent attention to Milan´s Kaka. After a very slow start, Ronaldinho came into the game. Gradually, the Barca magician started pulling the strings and giving Milan´s Gattuso a hard time. Barça began to create chances.

In the 29th minute, Iniesta produced a defence-splitting pass for Giuly to run onto, but Dida just about managed to beat him to it. Some minutes later Giuly but was denied by Dida, before Ronaldinho showed some of his fancy technical skills. Eto'o sent a shot sfar over the crossbar just before the break.
In the first half AC Milan had started stronger but FC Barcelona finished better.

In the second half, Ronaldinho moved, like so often, more into a central position, just behind Eto'o and Giuly. It worked out well again. Ronaldinho found more space in his central position and used it with efficency. In the 57th minute, the brazilian international wizzard in the No. 10 shirt showed us some of his great skills. The brazilian superstar moved away from Pirlo, held off Gattusso first, then turned around the Milan midfielder, leaving him on the ground and created one of his unrestibable passes into the area.


Giuly had raced onto the ball and got to the ball before Nesta to volley it with his left foot past Dida into the top corner or the near post.
Milan and their supporters were in shock while the 1-0 lead sent over 3.000 Barça fans into euphoric celebration.


The goal had hurt Milan psychologically and there was a lack of confidence and inspiratition. The Barca midfield had taken complete control now and again, 55% ball possession in an away game prooves who was in charge of the game.

It was Ronaldinho, who could well have sealed the tie just minutes later. In the 63rd minute Giuly stole the ball off Seedorf and went on a run down the right before passing to Ronaldinho. He had Giuly to his right and Eto'o to his left but took the shot himself. The ball hit the inside of the right post. Dida was well beaten but unfortunately the ball did not cross the line.


Two minutes later it was Iniesta who shot into the hands of Dida after a fine team effort of the Barca team.
Barca fought a superb battle and always looked dangerous on their breaks. But Milan had two further good scoring opportunities towards the end. Massimo Ambrosini found himself runing into the area unmarked in the 80th minute but he wasted this good chance poorly. Moments later, after a corner kick Maldini headed strongly to force Valdés into a good save moments later.

With time running out, Barcelona began to play the possession game to further infuriate Milan. In the dying minutes, Barcelona passed the ball perfectly around in the Milan half, content to hang on to the crucial one goal lead.


FC Barcelona sealed a great and heroic win at the San Siro and with this superb champion-like performance they can start to book their ticket for the final. Milan had a few good opportunities to score but Barça just looked the better and more mature team over 90 minutes.

It is not all over yet, but it looks like Milan needs a miracle to beat FC Barcelona at Camp Nou.




You can watch Guily's goal by clicking here
Source: You Tube