On Tuesday morning in PlaAa Reiala'just away from Barcelona's Las Ramblasa'a group of teens, who can only be called a One Direction tribute act, silenced the chanting AC Milan fans having an impromptu performance which drew a large crowd. It was at an identical time, a quick distance away, that Xavi Hernandez was driving a fitness test in an instant which may become the catalyst to silence the Milan supporters entirely. Winners League times are special and, like Manchester United and Real Madrid, their was some thing special about Barcelona and AC Milan's clash that felt more befitting of a later period compared to last 16. Two of Europe's biggest edges doing battle in the continent's biggest stadium. The Italians against the Spanish. The eight times winners from the four times winners. And as soon as that Xavi handed that bodies and test started putting out of the Metro stop as Les Corts, there was an atmosphere in the Catalan air of optimism. No, idea. As the Barcelona report Sport put it in the morning: "La Remontada Es Posible." Three at the back went a Twitter rumour. Alexis to start out, no Thiago. Yet all it surely got was Xavi to come back while Javier Mascherano got the nod ahead of Carles Puyol and David Villa replaced Cesc Fabregas allowing Andres Iniesta to change in to the middle. "El Cant Del Barca" ran from the speakers, followed by the Champions League anthem to the back ground of cigarettes and a 96,000 fan-held variety expressing in Catalan: "Som Un Equip." We're a team. The atmosphere inside Camp Nou wasn't among a side facing a constant battle. Within on the night 5 minutes these emotions where justified, Xavi the creator as Lionel Messi fired La Blaugrana into a cause. Flash and you had have missed it. Iniesta then rocked the Milan club, before Xavi pushed a wonderful save from Christian Abbiati. Messi soon levelled the aggregate scores however, Iniesta supporting this time. Xavi completed 90 % of his 125 travels on the night (via whoscored.com) and one of these was the one in the third goal, obtained by David Villa. The goal that put Barca forward in the tie, completed the recovery and silenced the Milan fans you might say the honor act earlier in the day in your day can only have thought down. There was a flurry of Milan action within the last 10 minutes, while they sought the away goal which could have taken them through. Sharp whistles called all around Camp Nou during a good spell of Los Rossoneri force, nevertheless they soon altered to cheers as Jordi Alba plunked the common cherry on the cake in injury time. Messi's objectives will again take the headlines, but last week we saw Sir Alex Ferguson use Danny Welbeck to avoid Xabi Alonso for Real Madrid. Making Camp Nou after another Xavi masterclass, you get the sensation Massimiliano Allegri may regret devoid of tried the exact same technique. Probably he didn't assume Xavi to be healthy. Short or long balls, Xavi, as Xavi does, created Barcelona tick; captaining, developing two objectives, preventing play for La Blaugrana. Contained in his 90 percent move conclusion rate were 11 precise long balls out of 12 attempteda'while he was never dispossessed (via whoscored.com). The turning point in the tie happened four hours before kick-off, if the 33-year-old passed his fitness test.
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