It was hard not to feel sorry for AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri and his players after they were on the wrong end of a Barcelona backlash in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Milan gave itself a great opportunity to oust the pre-competition favorite after surprising it 2-0 in last month's last 16, first leg at the San Siro.

However, Lionel Messi and his inspired teammates crushed the Italians 4-0 in the return game to progress to the last eight, 4-2, on aggregate and keep alive their dream of a third European crown in five years.