AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta rapped the match officials after their Champions League defeat to Barcelona.

The game was all square on 1-1 just before half-time when Nesta gave away a penalty.

"I pulled Busquets a bit, but I was being blocked from behind by Puyol. It was a foul on me as well. At least from what I saw on the pitch, the referee awarded the foul before the ball was in play," Nesta told Sky Sport Italia after Milan's 3-1 defeat.

"In Italy they give many more fouls in general, whereas in Europe they give fewer fouls and more of these penalties for shirt tugs. I think the referee could've done a lot better tonight.

"We could've done a bit better on the counter-attack, seeing as we scored with that tactic. We scared them a few times, but then we stopped doing it properly. It's Barcelona and you can't get anything wrong against them.

"We had the game back on level terms, but they have Leo Messi, who for me is 70 per cent of the team. He makes the difference.

"They are the strongest team in the world, but Milan have what it takes and potential investments to close the gap."