There is no way anyone, even the most optimistic of Milan fans, would have predicted the outcome of the first leg of the last 16 Champions League game at the San Siro.
Milan were a rock in defense, frustrating the attackers of Barcelona, and scored a couple of goals - through Kevin Prince-Boateng and Sulley Muntari -- to given them a huge 2-0 advantage in the tie going into the second leg at the Camp Nou in three weeks' time.
Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri, who masterminded the triumph without the services of the in-form Mario Balotelli, who is cup-tied, insisted there was still plenty of work to be done.
"We played a great game defensively," Allegri said. "We knew that Barcelona love to keep possession, but we never lost composure.
"In the first half we created some interesting counter-attacks but unfortunately lacked the killer pass. We are very satisfied.
"The return leg will be a different game and we know it will be difficult, so it's a pity we didn't score the third at home. The boys were very good at restricting (Lionel) Messi, but we need to show the same intensity on the pitch if we want survive at Camp Nou and reach the quarterfinals.
"Barca made our life difficult in the first half, when they kept the ball on the flanks, but we stayed focused and now we can enjoy this beautiful night."
Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura, who is standing in for Tito Vilanova as he undergoes treatment in New York, admitted his side were not at their best, but insisted the team did not deserve to lose 2-0.
"This wasn't our best game," Roura said. "Although we had problems I think that the result is undeserved. They made a couple of opportunities and scored from them which now makes things tricky for us.
"We had previously said how difficult it is to come here. Milan were very well-organised at the back and they defended well. We found it very hard to get in behind them.
"They played with a lot of men in defence and it's true to say their first goal shocked us a little. We are confident in our own team and playing at our own stadium. It will be a different story in the second leg and we fully believe we can turn this around."
