25 November,2011 10:58 AM IST | | Agencies
Barcelona star Lionel Messi has hailed the importance of his side's 3-2 Champions League Group H win away against AC Milan as they secured top spot in their section with the victory.
Lionel Messi
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's 20th minute strike cancelled out an early own goal from Mark van Bommel, but Messi restored his side's lead at the half-hour mark with a converted spot kick.
Goals from Kevin-Prince Boateng and Xavi eventually resulted in a final score of 3-2 for the Catalans. "It was crucial to win tonight as it makes the draw for the round of 16 slightly easier, in theory, which is better for us," Messi was quoted as saying on the official Uefa website.
"We badly wanted to win against this great team and I think it was a great spectacle for the fans in a fantastic stadium.
"It was a great match against a prestigious team. We finished top which was what we were looking for," added the Argentine.
