FC Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard:
"It's difficult to say who is the favourite. If we look at tradition and the fact that they are playing at home we could say that Milan have the edge but it's going to be a close battle in both games. After all, you have to prove your superiority on the pitch not by talking."


AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti:

"This is our third Champions League semi-final in four years. We are used to these type of games while Barcelona are not. At the moment, Barcelona and Milan are the two teams in Europe that express the best football. I think the two games against Barcelona are going to be beautiful, there will be no lack of quality. We are in very good shape right now. I hope the team wins and if we don't concede a goal it would be even better. Barça are much more efficient and have more quality than Olympique Lyonnais. They have a very compact team and I do not believe that they will leave us as much space as the French side."


FC Barcelona captain Carles Puyol:
"Milan has more experience than us and that's important. It's also true that they have won more titles and have had more success than we have but we are improving and we cannot stop now. Milan are used to holding onto possession at the back and then hitting you on the break and they don't forgive any mistakes. Well, certainly we have to play with complete focus but our squad are really up for this and full of confidence. We go out to win, though we are well aware of the danger that Milan pose. We are all very excited about the prospect of winning this competition - we have a group of players who've competed at the highest level and we all want to be in there fighting for the top prizes, but we know we first have to get through this tie, which won't be easy."


AC Milan topsorer Andriy Shevchenko:

"The absence of one player (Inzaghi) shouldn't hinder a team. We will not have Inzaghi but we have other great players that are sturdy replacements. Ronaldinho is a very attractive player to watch and he brings beauty to the game of football. This game is not Shevchenko versus Ronaldinho. The most important thing is the group, the spirit of the group. We have an experienced team and are ready for everything."