AC Milan wins but loses 2 key players to injury

Forward Giampaolo Pazzini was already limping when he scored in the 22nd minute and defender Philippe Mexes also exited at halftime with an apparent injury before Mario Balotelli doubled Milan's lead in the 60th.

Balotelli replaced Pazzini two minutes after Milan's first goal but he can't play in the Champions League because he's cup tied after transferring from Manchester City in January.

Milan finished the match with 10 men after midfielder Kevin Constant picked up a second yellow card for protesting in the 65th.

Still, Milan extended its unbeaten streak to 11 matches and moved within two points of second-place Napoli, which visits Chievo Verona on Sunday.

Also Sunday, Serie A leader Juventus hosts Catania.

"We made a nice little step forward in the table," Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri said. "If Napoli permits us, we'll aim for more than third place."

On Tuesday, Milan takes a 2-0 lead from the first leg to face Lionel Messi and Barcelona again.

Allegri said Pazzini was bruised below the knee, while Mexes was apparently removed for more precautionary reasons.

"His and Mexes' conditions will be evaluated over the next few days," Allegri said.

Under intermittent rain at the Luigi Ferraris stadium, Milan controlled at the start but Pazzini appeared to hurt his left leg when he was tackled from behind by Daniele Portanova in the 20th.

However before Milan had time to replace him, Pazzini found himself with the ball at the edge of the area and banged in a shot off the underside of the crossbar.