Barcelona

3.35

• 
  179

  34

  3.00

  Víctor Valdés

  Really had nothing to do outside of the routine as his defence took care of the little Milan could muster.

• 
  231

  25

  3.50

  Daniel Alves

  Barcelona’s attacking strategy meant that he was pushed high up the right flank even more than usual. He was very useful in stretching the defence, even though his team-mates were mostly outdone when competing aerially for his deliveries.

• 
  185

  31

  3.00

  Piqué

  The defender did not always have a lot to concern himself with, but when called upon he did not put a foot wrong at the back, making a crucial block on a Kevin-Prince Boateng cross.

• 
  291

  21

  3.50

  Jordi Alba

  As usual, he offered a good attacking outlet on the left flank, and crucially he looked to quickly recover his defensive position whenever Milan looked to get forward on the counterattack. Produced an excellent tackle to stop Robinho from point-blank range, before storming forward to clip home the last goal of the game.

• 
  299

  22

  3.50

  Xavi

  At his best in just this type of scenario, where Barca completely monopolised possession. A lovely one-two with Lionel Messi opened Milan up for the first, while an equally splendid pass put David Villa’s goal on a plate. His poise was such that the Rossoneri eventually resigned themselves to letting him keep the ball, focusing their attentions instead on pressuring more advanced players.

• 
  321

  22

  3.50

  Andrés Iniesta Luján

  Seemed far more at ease in a midfield role, where his deeper positioning allowed him more opportunity to run at the defence. As ever, his link up play was world class. He set up Lionel Messi’s second goal and came close himself with a stunning half-volley that Christian Abbiati pushed onto the woodwork.

• 
  207

  39

  3.50

  Javier Mascherano

  For the most part, he stood tall against the pacey threat of M’Baye Niang and Stephan El Shaarawy on the break, timing his challenges excellently. However he almost threw away his good work, as one catastrophic attempt at a header instead let the French forward through on goal for a shot that cracked off the post.

• 
  210

  32

  3.00

  Busquets

  Often the first line of defence whenever Milan looked to spring forward on the counter. Stuck to his task and made it hard for the Rossoneri to attack through the middle, while showing great composure to make space for himself under pressure with a series of pivots.

• 
  306

  24

  4.00

  David Villa

  For the majority of his time on the pitch, he found it hard to cope with Milan’s sheer numbers at the back. But one excellent Xavi pass to free him in space was all he needed, and from there he curled a great finish into the far corner for Barca’s third goal.

• 
  588

  52

  4.50

  Lionel Messi Top of the Match

  Head and shoulders above the rest. The Argentine sensation scored two first-half goals of the highest quality to put Barca level on aggregate. But more than that, it was his absolute menace on and off the ball that really stood out as something special.

• 
  146

  92

  2.50

  Pedro

  Somewhat below the scintillating level of the rest of his attacking team-mates, as he did not really come up with any decisive moments in a rather subdued display.

Substitutions

• 
  150

  26

  3.00

  Carles Puyol

  Was not put to the test and saw out the remaining minutes comfortably.

• 
  188

  24

  3.00

  Alexis Sánchez

  Had one effort disallowed for offside, but kept his head at the end to slip in Jordi Alba for the clincher.

AC Milan

2.29

• 
  55

  43

  2.50

  Christian Abbiati

  Could do absolutely nothing about both of Messi’s goals, and pulled off two quality saves from long range efforts by Andres Iniesta and Xavi. His concentration slipped towards the end, however.

• 
  22

  72

  2.50

  Philippe Mexes

  Had no match for Lionel Messi’s quick feet in the build-up to Barca’s second goal. The pace of the home side's attack was often too much for him to deal with, as he struggled when isolated.

• 
  18

  71

  2.00

  Cristian Zapata

  Like his partner Philippe Mexes, he started well, but once Barca were in full flow, he did not present much of an obstacle. Looked on the verge of collapse at times.

• 
  45

  48

  2.50

  Ignazio Abate

  Rather fortunate to escape an early penalty call for bundling over Pedro, and though he motored forward well when Milan were chasing the game, his end product was lacking.

• 
  25

  83

  1.50

  Kevin-Prince Boateng

  His final touch in advanced areas was hit and miss, and a few accurate pieces of distribution were let down by some wasteful longer deliveries.

• 
  19

  69

  2.50

  Mathieu Flamini

  Ran his socks off, but most of his effort was in vain as Barca were simply too good in midfield. Left chasing shadows most of the time.

• 
  27

  54

  2.50

  Riccardo Montolivo

  Positioned as the main springboard for the Milan counterattack, but he did not pass the test in that regard as a lot of his distribution from deep failed to find one of his team-mates.

• 
  18

  88

  2.00

  Kevin Constant

  Did not appear mentally prepared for such an occasion, as he was guilty of surrendering possession nervously on more than one occasion. A missed lunge from him gave David Villa all the time he needed to stroke home the third.

• 
  17

  64

  2.50

  Massimo Ambrosini

  Put in a lot of effort in midfield, but one sequence, a giveaway soon after winning the ball, set the events of Barca’s second goal in motion. Ran out of energy after a while and was substituted around the hour mark.

• 
  30

  115

  1.50

  L. Niang Flop of the Match

  Alongside Stephan El Shaarawy, his pace and energy formed the main offensive strategy for Milan. He was well-marshalled by the likes of Javier Mascherano, but one slip up from the Argentine put him clean through, only to spurn his chance and hit the post.

• 
  42

  71

  2.50

  Stephan El Shaarawy

  His pace was the main threat for Milan going forward, but far too often the distribution towards him was frustratingly inaccurate. He did have two half-chances to get a shot at goal, but both times he fluffed his lines.

Substitutions

• 
  28

  54

  2.50

  Sulley Ali Muntari

  Did not really add anything noticeable to his side's play after coming on during the second half.

• 
  63

  43

  2.50

  Robinho

  Came close to turning home a Bojan delivery, but Gerard Pique robbed him of the chance.

• 
  80

  28

  2.50

  Bojan Krkic

  Put in a good cross for Robinho from the left, but otherwise, contributed little.