Barca did everything except score a goal. But credit Milan they turned in a defensive performance they can be proud of.
Luca Antonini who is usually derided by Milanistas as a simple minded buffoon was their hero coming up with a number of key blocks to deny Sanchez and Cristian Tello. The Catalunyans were unlucky not to get a penalty when Abbiati clearly brought down Alexis Sanchez. On another occasion, off a corner Puyol managed to get his head on the ball angling it just wide off the far post despite Djamel Mesbah pulling on his shirt for dear life in full view of the referee.
Milan had their chances too missing out through Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho, reverting to type missing an absolute sitter with Victor Valdes at his mercy.
The Giuseppe Meazza pitch looked in slightly better shape than the Arsenal match about a month ago.
It’s off to the Camp Nou for the second leg and if Milan can somehow manage a 1-1 result they’re through to the semi-finals. A very big if.