Messi leads Barcelona fightback to shock 
AC Milan

Barcelona were two goals down from the first leg, but Messi was on target after just five minutes and although Christian Abbiati was at his best to repel the home side, he could do little to stop Messi doubling Barca’s lead five minutes before the break.

David Villa – preferred by Jordi Roura to Cesc Fabregas – scored a vital third before Jordi Alba’s stoppage time strike clinched a 4-2 aggregate win.

Milan struggled to deal with the movement of an inspired Barcelona while they failed to create enough chances with Victor Valdes rarely tested in the home goal.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique said: “We believed from the first minute.

“We played a great game. To score early it helped a lot and the atmosphere was amazing.

“They knew we needed them and it was a great connection with the players and the fans. We were better from the start and we got what we needed.”

Galatasaray joined Barca in the quarter-finals after edging out Schalke at the Veltins-Arena 3-2, 4-3 on aggregate.

Despite taking an early lead through Roman Neustadter, the German side were ultimately undone by strikes from Hamit Altintop and Burak Yilmaz just before the break.

Although Michel Bastos levelled just after the hour, Schalke still needed another goal as Gala had scored more away goals and their all-out attack left them vulnerable at the back, with the Turkish outfit making sure of their progress thanks to Umut Bulut’s stoppage-time effort.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has challenged his players to produce a performance which will define their careers and knock Bayern Munich out of the Champions League against the odds tonight.

The runaway Bundesliga leaders look all set to take their place in the quarter-finals having delivered a European masterclass in their 3-1 victory in north London three weeks ago.

Bayern’s home defensive record is formidable and they have not conceded three goals since losing to Inter Milan two years ago, while this season they have let in only 10 goals in 25 Bundesliga matches.

Despite his side having travelled to Bavaria without injured England midfielder Jack Wilshere, set for around three weeks out because of an ankle problem, and first-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny rested, Wenger insists now is the perfect moment for his team to return all his belief with what would go down as one of the greatest European comebacks.

“I am convinced that if this team can find a big game, with a big win, you will see a completely different animal. I have a great respect for this team and its attitude and they have not been rewarded yet,” he said.