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European Champions League

Barcelona 2 - AC Milan 2

Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Dani Alves, Busquets, Mascherano, Abidal; Xavi, Keita (Puyol 67'), Iniesta (Fàbregas 39'); Pedro, Messi, David Villa (Afellay 83'). 4-3-3.
Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Thiago Silva, Nesta, Zambrotta; Seedorf, Nocerino, Van Bommel (Aquilani 76'), Boateng (Ambrosini 33'); Pato, Cassano (Emanuelson 61'). 4-4-2.

Goals:
0-1. 01. Pato. Picked up ball from kick-off and ran through to shoot under Valdés.
1-1. 36. Pedro. Turned ball in on far post after Messi clipped cross over from left.
2-1. 50. David Villa. Curled free kick over defensive wall in to near corner of net.
2-2. 92. Thiago Silva. Got above markers to head Seedorf corner wide of keeper.

Barcelona suffered a setback in their opening match of this season's Champions League, Guardiola's side being held to a 2-2 draw by AC Milan. Once again the coach put out a makeshift back four, with midfielders Busquets and Mascherano playing centre backs, and within 25 seconds they paid the price when Pato ran past Busquets from midfield to shoot under the legs of Víctor Valdés. Pato could have scored a second had his first touch been better soon afterwards, but after that Barcelona took control, with Messi hitting the outside of the post from a curling free kick. Villa hooked a shot over the bar and Messi came up against Abbiati a couple of times before the Argentinian star ran past a couple of defenders and clipped a cross over for Pedro to equalise.

There was another blow for Guardiola though when Iniesta limped off with an injury which could keep him out for a month or so, but Fàbregas was a more than able replacement, and Xavi came close to scoring with a couple of efforts either side of half time. And five minutes in to the second half David Villa put the locals in front with a well struck free kick over the defensive wall. Barça were unable to add to their lead after that though, and with the game in the second minute of injury time Thiago Silva got free of Busquets to head a Seedorf corner wide of Valdés. A surprise result in the end, but still nothing too much to worry about for the reigning champions.