FC Barcelona vs. AC Milan: Will Barca Survive the Next Champions League Match?

The quarterfinals UEFA Champions League (UCL) match between FC Barcelona and AC Milan left a sour note for supporters, players and managers. The match ended in a draw without goals and many questions asked.

According to the Agence France-Presse (AFP), via NDTV, FC Barcelona submitted a complaint with UEFA concerning the pitch at San Siro. Barca coach Pep Guardiola made his comments about the pitch by saying that La Blaugrana does everything to accommodate itself, but that San Siro was different.

Spanish media giants such as AS, Sport and Marca criticized the match referee, Jonas Eriksson, for his match performance. Sport even published an example of what should have been a penalty in the front page of its magazine.

Guardiola did not want (maybe for diplomacy) to comment about the foul by AC Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbati against Alexis Sanchez.

The conversation of what happened turns to what should happen. Guardiola declared that while he was satisfied with Wednesday's results, "two goals are necessary" for Barca to advance.

Now is the time to deal with the subjects at hand.

Pitch

FC Barcelona has a legitimate complaint against AC Milan concerning the San Siro pitch. It would have been the same had Barca won or lost, as the pitch did not appear to be suitable for a Champions League matchup (let alone, a UCL quarterfinal).

The pitch appeared slippery at times, and Lionel Messi slipped at one point. The slippery conditions may have contributed to the first-leg draw.

Referee

Jonas Eriksson did not perform his refereeing duties in this crucial UCL match. Eriksson either did not see, or ignored, the blatant foul against Sanchez by Abiatti.

Abbiati knocked down Sanchez as he was attempting a free kick. Where was Eriksson when this happened?

Further, in another instance, AC Milan defender Djamel Mesbah held on to Barca captain Carles Puyol's shirt, but Eriksson missed the opportunity to foul Mesbah as well.

It is of a personal impression that Eriksson was biased towards AC Milan.

Will Barca Survive?

In spite of what transpired in the first leg of the UCL quarterfinals, FC Barcelona will survive. Playing at home in Camp Nou will help La Blaugrana.

The next advantage is that Barca will train hard in order, and both their offense and defense will be primed and ready to go. Barca is also a disciplined club with a plethora of superstars such as Messi, Daniel Alves, Mascherano, Gerard Pique and the up and coming Cristian Tello.

Prediction: FC Barcelona 3, AC Milan 1