Milan coach Allegri rues missed chances against Barca

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.