Barcelona vs A C Milan Quarter Final

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola saluted his 'awesome' Barcelona players as they secured a fifth successive UEFA Champions League semi-final berth with victory over AC Milan by 3-1.

Lionel Messi netted twice from the penalty spot to become the youngest player to score more than 50 goals in Europe's premier club competition, with Andres Iniesta also on target to secure a 3-1 triumph at Camp Nou.

Barcelona's all-time top-scorer, Messi, now holds another prestigious record as he equalled former Milan striker Jose Altafini's record of 14 goals in one season of European football's top club competition.

A.Nocerino had given Milan hope of causing an upset when he put the visitors ahead on away goals with his leveller in the 32nd minute, but despite Barca not being at their flowing best they remain on course to defend the crown they lifted at Wembley in May last year.

“If Mr Ibrahimovic or Mourinho think we are not deserving our qualification and that we are winning thanks to referees, Ishall say to them that we are going to play a semi-final for the fifth time in a row. And that actually means something."The Catalan boss then went on to justify his side’s presence in their fifth back to back semi-finals, a record in the Champions League history.

Guardiola says “They [Milan] have had the odd counterattack, but they had three shots at goal and we had 21. We had a lot of goalscoring opportunities, with three defenders and with four”.
“We were playing against Milan, who have seven Champions League trophies and very good players who could cause us problems. If people expected us to win 7-1, thatis unrealistic thing.”