A side so often touted as the most beautiful side on the planet, Barcelona on Wednesday night, were nothing but dull drab and flaccid against a Milan side that worked doggedly to keep the ‘dream team’ at bay for the majority of the night.

Milan were tireless in their efforts, and I’m sure they’ll be more then happy that their next fixture – against their same town rivals Inter Milan – is as late as they come on Sunday night.  Massilmillio Allegri’s side will need a rest after last night.

It was hard work that shut down Barca for 95 minutes in the San Siro. The sort of  work we’re used to seeing Barca pull out on big nights both in Spain and in Europe competition. Off the ball Milan hurried their opponents, working in packs as if they had a 12^th man out on the open surface of the San Siro.

Massimo Ambrosini lead by example, timing his challenges to perfection and staying composed on the ball at all times and playing the Rossoneri away from trouble when Barca threatened in the final third. Riccardo Montolivo was almost a carbon copy of his captain in that respect and his first half sliding challenge to dispossess Lionel Messi brought about a huge roar from the home crowd.

Barca were uncharacteristically quiet throughout the night with Christian Abbiati spending most of his night tucked up in his own goal watching his defence handle the majority of the Catalan side’s advances.  The patient tiki-taka football that we’re used to seeing break down defences week-in week-out in La Liga had a lethargic feel to it and as Milan continued to find vital challenges and double team key players such as Messi and Andreas Iniesta, Barca failed to rise to the occasion.

They even resorted to a shameless display of unsporting behavior that, had they scored from the resulting play, would surely have seen Tito Villanova’s side chastised on the footballing back pages as much as Shakhtar Donetsk were after their controversial goal against Nordsjaelland on match day five in the group stages.

Luckily for Milan, after their Tequila Sunrise coloured visitors refused to sportingly give the ball back after a clash of heads between Giampaolo Pazzini and Carlos Puyol prevented a clear goal scoring opportunity, the Rossoneri’s defence once again dealt with the momentary pressure applied to it.

On the ball, Milan worked just as hard to keep Barca at bay, leaving passing lanes and easy balls available for the majority of the evening.

A momentary stroke of luck lead to Kevin Prince Boateng being offered the opportunity to open the scoring after 57 minutes, the former Portsmouth midfielder blasting his effort past Victor Valdes to send the San Siro wild.  While Barca clambered for handball to be called Milan regrouped and composed themselves for what many thought would be a 30-minute onslaught from the worlds best. Instead they continued to play football against Barca, out scoring them blow for blow in the games mini battles.

Their second came at a crucial time nine minutes from the end and blew away any doubt that the Rossonari’s win wasn’t deserved.  Substitute M’Baye Niang jiggled and juggled around the edge of the area before teeing up Stephan El Shaarawy, who in turn flicked the ball across to Sulley Muntari. Portsmouth fans may have taken a sweet joy in seeing two of their ex-players beating the best in the world, but for Milan fans, the past history of their players wont mean a thing. 

The 2-0 aggregate lead will, however, mean everything.

Did Milan meet Barcelona on an off night for the Spanish side? Probably. Have they found the winning formula to beating them? Probably not.  Did they show that a team effort, endless focus and an unprecedented work rate can get you a result against Tito Vilanova’s side. Yes they have and now Milan are just a draw away from knocking out the Champions League favorites.