Milan have beaten Barca 3-2 in a mixture of nostalgia and good football in Albertini's tribute match.
The two generations of footballers on the San Siro pitch tonight made it quite clear that the Barca and Milan teams of past and present are guided by the same principles. It was an unforgettable night of football and a fitting tribute for Demetrio Albertini.
Rijkaard in a Barca shirt
One of the unforgettable images of the night was the sight of Frank Rijkaard in the number 4 shirt of FC Barcelona. The rest of the 'Dream Team' was made up of: Zubizarreta, Goikoetxea, Alexanko, Nadal, Amor, Salinas, Stòixkov, Laudrup, Eusebio and Sergi Barjuán. The Barca coach played 25 minutes before replaced by Marc Van Bommel.
Salinas, Albertini and Van Basten
The opening minutes brought back memories of the matches from the beginning of the 90's. FC Barcelona, led from the manager's bench by Johan Cruyff, controlled the game and Julio Salinas almost opened the score sheet.
However, Milan took advantage of their first two chances to score. The first goal came, appropriately enough, from Demetrio Albertini, who converted a free kick from 20 yards past an outstretched Zubizarreta. Five minutes later, Marco Van Basten showed just why he won the Golden Ball award heading home a great cross from the left from from Galli.
Laudrup, Gullit and Ezquerro
FC Barcelona continued to dominate possession with Laudrup and Eusebio Sacristán both coming close. The Barca coach had a couple of shots on goal while the current Broendby coach, clearly in great shape, distributed the ball with tremendous skill.
Laudrup, together with Goikoetxea, Nadal, Amor and Sergi were the only Barca players to play the full 40 minutes of the first half, the rest being gradually substituted by players from the current Barca squad. The Milan side made more changes as their veteran players demanded a chance to take part.
Gullit, who came on for Van Basten, created the third goal for his side with a powerful shot from the right wing. Nadal tried to block but the ball deflected off his head into the net defended by Jorquera. Ezquerro got one back for Barca with a header from a cross from the right by Goikoetxea.
Rui Costa, Márquez and Puyol
After the break, the veterans gave way to the players from the current squads: Dida, Rui Costa and Shevchenko, for Milan and Puyol, Van Bommel and Giuly for Barca, a meeting that could take place in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Shevchenko posed a threat for the Barca goal but was closely shadowed by Oleguer. Rui Costa and Gilardini were a constant menace, the latter having a goal disallowed for offside. Meanwhile, Márquez and Puyol came close for Barca.
Ronaldinho, Eto'o and Kalac
In the 62nd minute, the big guns of the current FC Barcelona squad came on: Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Deco, Valdés and Larsson. The final goal came from the penalty spot from the leading scorer in La Liga Samuel Eto'o. Second string keeper Kalac prevented the Barca strike force from scoring the equaliser.
Demetrio Albertini came on for the final minutes of the match wearing the FC Barcelona shirt watched from the touchline by Johan Cruyff and Frank Rijkaard, two generations on the bench.
capello and ancelloti were milan coaches
Johan Cruyff was barca coach