Tonight's match between AC Milan and Barcelona is sure to be one of the best games in the Champions League this season. The two European giants will battle it out for a place in the Final where they will face either Villarreal or Arsenal in Paris next month. Italian giants AC have been hit by the news that striker Fillipo Inzaghi will miss the first leg in the San Siro tonight through a virus and Barcelona will have to make do without Swedish striker Henrik Larsson who misses out with a thigh injury. Barca will also be without Deco who is suspended for the game tonight.
Barca boss Frank Rijkaard believes the semi final could prove a seminal moment in the club's recent history. "This game is our big opportunity to consolidate ourselves as one of the top clubs," he said. "We're a young team that still has a lot of hunger for victories, but it's time to show it at the top level. "Milan is a team with a lot of experience, a great system of play and a very strong defence. It will be very interesting to see how we react against an opponent of this nature."
AC Milan chairman Adriano Galliani has dismissed claims that his side's push for the Serie A title will distract them from the match. Milan host Barcelona just days after moving to within five points of Juventus in Italy's premier league. But Galliani said: "We have only the Champions League in mind and we are focusing exclusively on Barcelona." Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi added: "I think it will be fun. Not just for Milan fans, but for all the fans in Europe and the world that will follow this game."
Key battles tonight for me are the likes of Barca captain Puyol against Ukrainian hit-man Andre Shevchenko and Samuel Eto'o against Italian dfender Alessandro Nesta. I can see AC winning the first leg 2-1 but overall I see Spanish giants Barcelona going through on aggregate and going on to win the trophy. You can watch the game on ITV 1 tonight! Enjoy the match!
