Alexandre Pato Sets Spain Alight Once Again in Champions League Play

There was something wonderfully symmetrical in AC Milan's 2-2 draw against Barcelona Tuesday at the Camp Nou.

Goals at the birth (first minute) and death (90+2) by Brazilians Alexandre Pato and Thiago Silva provided a wonderful sense of open and close to what was a rollicking and thoroughly enjoyable fixture.

It was a performance that hearkened back to the immense glory days of AC Milan in Europe's top competition, one the Lombard side has won a record seven times (European Cup and Champions League combined).

Sturdy and committed on defense, and showing a veteran sensibility of seizing upon goal-scoring opportunities, allowed the Rosseneri to leave with a hard-earned point from what will certainly be the toughest of their six group stage matches.

For Alexandre Pato, it was yet another match to add to his already-burgeoning list of accomplishments at the club level.

Having just turned 22, the Brazilian international has displayed an uncommon knack for delivering some of his finest performances for the red-and-black on Europe's biggest stage, continuing a tradition of excellence previously enjoyed by his compatriot Kaka (if you haven't, watch Kaka's highlights against Manchester United in the 2007 Champions' League semifinals).

Two years ago, it was Pato's brace that saw Milan emerge victorious against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, 3-2. Pato was simply sensational in that match, using his relentless pace and wonderfully deceptive trickery to continually scythe past the Madrid defense.

Must be something about that late-summer Spanish weather that brings out the best of Pato's game.

Against Barcelona, Pato's considerable ingenuity was on display once again, as he launched upon a 60-yard run just after kickoff, cutting through a lead-footed, dumbstruck Barcelona makeshift central defense (Javier Mascherano and Sergio Busquets deputizing for the normal combination of Carlos Puyol and Gerard Pique) as if they weren't even there.

And to a certain degree, they weren't. Pato went untouched through the heart of the usually-sturdy Barcelona spine.

One brilliant turn of pace and he was gone, untouched on his foraging enterprise before coolly slotting the fifth-fastest goal in Champions' League history between a hapless Victor Valdes' legs.

After that strike, Pato was made a vulture, looking to pounce upon scraps of loose possession (which don't come often against Barcelona), or attempting to run onto searching balls played forward from the Milan defensive third, as the visitors looked to preserve their narrow margin.

Even when Barcelona had struck twice to make it 2-1 in their favor, however, one always sensed that Milan still had it in them to snatch a point.

They did just that at the death, when the ever-present Clarence Seedorf sent in an outswinging corner kick to the middle of the penalty area, which defender Silva rose up to meet and power home into the net.

If current Real coach Jose Mourinho was watching, he must have found it difficult to suppress a knowing smile. AC Milan had employed the same type of tactics the Portuguese had elected for in leading rivals Inter past Barcelona in the 2010 CL semifinals.

Nearly 17 months from that incredible exploit, Milan's current boss Massimiliano Allegri sent a well-drilled side of tireless enterprise with one overriding maxim: crowd out Barcelona in the defensive third and keep their playmakers from getting behind the defense.

It is a massive compliment that they only allowed two goals, and one off an unstoppable 30-yard free kick from David Villa.

Pato, a player who was overcome by joy upon scoring his first-ever senior goal for Milan back in winter 2008, burst into tears during his celebration. This goal was the latest diamond in a star-studded ring he has provided his Milan employers during his incredible tenure.