At the after match press conference FC Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard expressed his absolutely delightness to reach the final of the Champions League in Paris on Wednesday, 17th of May, and believes that this achievement is a reward for all the efforts done by the Barca team and the Club. "a prize for the work of the team and of the Club".The cool and calm Dutchman Rijkaard honoured each team member of his squad for the "teamwork" that has put Barça through to the final of Europe's top club competition, the Champions League. Barcelona´s Rijkaard believes he has got "a great team made up of players of unquestionable quality" and is very happy about the tremendous work ethic as well as footballing talent.


Barça coach analysed the match has following:

the match was very interesting. They pressed much harder in the second half and we had to be very alert so I would like to stress that we've had to work very hard to go though. I'm happy because the players have achieved the objective of reaching the final in Paris.

Again, Rijkaard pointed out Barca´s young midfielder Andres Iniesta's performance and revealed: "I've always considered him a great player and he has demonstrated that in all aspects match after match".



When asked about his achievements as a coach compared to his success as a player, Barça boss Rijkaard commented:

I prefer not to think about myself or about my time as a player because that's in the past. I'm happy for the Club and for all the fans who are always right behind us.

His simple responds to the disallowed "Shevchenko 'goal" for a prior foul on Carles Puyol: "The referee will have had his reasons".



FC Barcelona coach Rijkaard warned about Barça being the clear favourites against Arsenal in the Champions League final in Paris on 17th May:

In a final you never know. Arsenal deserve to be there because they've done a great job. They'll be very dangerous opponents.

Germany´s No.1 goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was Arsenal´s hero last night after a great performance with several important saves, while his team mates looked a bit shaky at the back due to big pressure from homeside Villarreal.


German goalkeeper Lehmann saved a late penalty from Juan Roman Riquelme as Arsenal booked their ticket to the final of the UEFA Champions League after claiming a 0-0 draw at Villarreal.
The penalty decision by referee Valentin Ivanov was a bit harsh, just 1 minute before the end of the match, but if Roman Juan Riquelme had converted, it would have sent the match into extra-time.


No great performance by Arsenal this evening, but who cares? Arsenal goes to the Final in Paris.



The match could not have been better analysed than by the two managers, Arsenal´s Arsene Wenger and Villarreal´s Manuel Pelegrini themselves. Arsene Wenger has conceded his Arsenal side were fortunate to overcome Villarreal. Wenger felt his side could have been eliminated from the Champions League in La Madrigal. Wenger told ITV:

"I thought we had extra time, but I had belief in Jens. We were a bit lucky tonight, but it is a fantastic achievement as this side has great character. We did not manage to play tonight; I don't know if it is physical or psychological. We could have won two or three at home but tonight we could have lost two or three. I never felt we got into our fluent game and after that you need a bit of luck and resilience. Even if we were not great, I am still proud of the character in the young team and also for the experienced players I am happy as well".

Villarreal boss Manuel Pellegrini was devastated after his team crashed out despite coming so close to eliminate Arsenal. Villarreal´s manager Manuel Pellegrini said:

"It's hard to explain how I feel. We were the better team, better than Arsenal were at Highbury and we deserved to be in the final. We had four or five clear chances to score and then the penalty and up until the last minute I thought we were going to do it. My players are very sad. I am proud of the way they played but they couldn't make it."

Tonight Europe´s No.1 ranked AC Milan plays No.2 FC Barcelona at Camp Nou in Barcelona. Barca won the first leg in Milan 1-0.

If Barca proceeds to the final in Paris, we will meet the other only unbeaten team of this year´s Champions League competition.

FC Barcelona Blog provides 10 reasons, why FC Barcelona has to proceed to the UEFA Champions League Final in Paris on May, 17th:


1 - Since 10 years any Club in the UEFA Champions League proceeded when the team won 1-0 away
2 - In the history of CL and Champions Cup only 4 teams ever had eliminated the opponent in last 16 when the match was lost at home

3 - With a win FC Barcelona (then 220 victories) will overtake Real Madrid (219 victories) in the total number of matches won in European competitions
4 - Since 3 years Barca has not lost in Camp Nou

5 - Barca is the team with the second most finals played in European competitions
6 - Barca has not lost one Champions League match this year

7 - With a 1-0 away win, statistically Barca has got a chance to proceed to the final of 91%
8 - In European football competion, Barca qualified in 85% of the cases when the team won 1-0 away

9 - 80% of Bookis say, that Barca will go to the final in Paris

10 - There is no other team that deserves more to go to the Final than FC Barcelona.

Match Report: Tuesday 18/04/2006 20:45 (GMT+2): Champions League 1st Leg

AC Milan 0 – FC Barcelona 1
San Siro, Milano – attendance: 76.600


Referee: Alain Sars (France)


0 - 1 (Giuly '57)


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Váldes – Oleguer (Motta '74), Puyol, Marquez, Gio – Van Bommel, Edmilson, Iniesta, - Giuly (Belletti '70) , Eto'o, Ronaldinho (Maxi '88) – Manager: Frank Rijkaard




Ac Milan: Dida - Serginho, Kaladze, Nesta, Stam (Cafú '76)- Gatusso (Ambrossini '73), Pirlo (Maldini '66), Seedorf, Kaka' - Shevchenko, Gilardino - Manager: Carlo Ancelotti


FC Barcelona are in pole position to qualify for the Champions League final after a goal from Ludovic Giuly gave them a superb 1-0 win against AC Milan at the San Siro. French international Giuly handed Barça a considerable advantage and one step in the Paris final on May 17. Barça showed a Champion-like performance and they dealt a decisive blow to the ageing Rossoneri who failed to impress over the entire 90 minutes in their third semi-final in four years. The 1-0 victory is a massive result for FC Barcelona at San Siro and brings them very close to the final in Paris.



In the opening period Barcelona were surprised twice by some fierce Milan attack. The first goal scoring opportunity was created by Alberto Gilardino who turned through Barca defender´s Rafael Marquez and Oleguer, but only managed to hit the post. Then just a minute later, hard working midfielder Gennaro Gattuso released Clarence Seedorf on the left side and the Dutch midfielder crossed for Milan´s top star Shevchenko, who headed the ball direct into Valdés chest at the far post.


This was more or less it and after this shocking start for FC Barcelona, Barca started to control the game - Barça finished the match with long ball control of all their field players during 1 minute 72 seconds -. Iniesta was working hard in midfield, Van Bommel had Seedorf totally under control and Edmilson paid excellent attention to Milan´s Kaka. After a very slow start, Ronaldinho came into the game. Gradually, the Barca magician started pulling the strings and giving Milan´s Gattuso a hard time. Barça began to create chances.

In the 29th minute, Iniesta produced a defence-splitting pass for Giuly to run onto, but Dida just about managed to beat him to it. Some minutes later Giuly but was denied by Dida, before Ronaldinho showed some of his fancy technical skills. Eto'o sent a shot sfar over the crossbar just before the break.
In the first half AC Milan had started stronger but FC Barcelona finished better.

In the second half, Ronaldinho moved, like so often, more into a central position, just behind Eto'o and Giuly. It worked out well again. Ronaldinho found more space in his central position and used it with efficency. In the 57th minute, the brazilian international wizzard in the No. 10 shirt showed us some of his great skills. The brazilian superstar moved away from Pirlo, held off Gattusso first, then turned around the Milan midfielder, leaving him on the ground and created one of his unrestibable passes into the area.


Giuly had raced onto the ball and got to the ball before Nesta to volley it with his left foot past Dida into the top corner or the near post.
Milan and their supporters were in shock while the 1-0 lead sent over 3.000 Barça fans into euphoric celebration.


The goal had hurt Milan psychologically and there was a lack of confidence and inspiratition. The Barca midfield had taken complete control now and again, 55% ball possession in an away game prooves who was in charge of the game.

It was Ronaldinho, who could well have sealed the tie just minutes later. In the 63rd minute Giuly stole the ball off Seedorf and went on a run down the right before passing to Ronaldinho. He had Giuly to his right and Eto'o to his left but took the shot himself. The ball hit the inside of the right post. Dida was well beaten but unfortunately the ball did not cross the line.


Two minutes later it was Iniesta who shot into the hands of Dida after a fine team effort of the Barca team.
Barca fought a superb battle and always looked dangerous on their breaks. But Milan had two further good scoring opportunities towards the end. Massimo Ambrosini found himself runing into the area unmarked in the 80th minute but he wasted this good chance poorly. Moments later, after a corner kick Maldini headed strongly to force Valdés into a good save moments later.

With time running out, Barcelona began to play the possession game to further infuriate Milan. In the dying minutes, Barcelona passed the ball perfectly around in the Milan half, content to hang on to the crucial one goal lead.


FC Barcelona sealed a great and heroic win at the San Siro and with this superb champion-like performance they can start to book their ticket for the final. Milan had a few good opportunities to score but Barça just looked the better and more mature team over 90 minutes.

It is not all over yet, but it looks like Milan needs a miracle to beat FC Barcelona at Camp Nou.




You can watch Guily's goal by clicking here
Source: You Tube

Match Preview: Tuesday 18/04/2006 20:45 (GMT+2): Champions League 1st Leg

AC Milan – FC Barcelona
San Siro, Milano – capacity: 83.000


Referee: Alain Sars (France)


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Váldes – Oleguer, Puyol, Marquez, Gio (Sylvinho) – Van Bommel, Edmilson, Iniesta, - Giuly , Eto'o, Ronaldinho – Manager: Frank Rijkaard




Ac Milan: Dida - Cafu, Kaladze, Nesta, Maldini - Gatusso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Kaka - Shevchenko, Gilardino - Manager: Carlo Ancelotti


Tonight´s “big match” in the Champions League semifinal will probably show Europe´s finest in form teams and would be worth a final in Paris. At the moment, FC Barcelona and Milan are the two teams in Europe that show the best football and everybody expects two beautiful matches with quality football. Milan seem to peak at the right time, going into the game on the back of Friday's 1-0 Milan derby triumph against Inter and cutting the margin of leader Juventus to five points. With four matches to go, Milan is up for a surprise of stealing the “Scudetto” of Juventus Turin.
Carlo Ancelotti's AC Milan has one advantage over FC Barcelona - they have more experience of playing in European semi finals lately. Milan beat Juventus to the title in 2003 and were runners-up to Liverpool last season. Many of those experienced Milan players will play against Barca. It is the third Champions League semi-final in four years and Milan is used to these type of matches while Barcelona are not.

The reigning and most likely new Spanish Champion FC Barcelona have looked in formidable form over the last 18 months. Barça travel to the San Siro for the first leg holding an 11-point lead at the top of the Primera Liga and having swept aside English champions and lonely leader Chelsea and Portuguese giants Benfica on their way to the semi finals of this year´s Champions League competition. Barça did not loose one game and also showed great performances in the “big matches” against Chelsea and Benfica while Milan showed more problems against their opponents. FC Barcelona has got the “World Player of the Year” in their side,Ronaldinho, who can decide a match on his own, as he showed in his stunning performance against Chelsea at Camp Nou. They also have three times winner of the “African Player of the Year” Award Eto´o who scored already 24 goals this seasson.
Today, the past should not be considered and counts for little when the teams step out onto the pitch this evening. All that matters is what happens on the field. Both teams will set about trying to win the leg, of that there is no doubt. FC Barcelona´s attacking style does not allow to settle for a draw or even a loss. Barça will go out to win. A win for Milan without Barça scoring would be the worst result for Barcelona coach Rijkaard. On the other hand, Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti will be worried about Barcelona getting some sort of result that will force Milan to come at Barça in the second leg.


The Barcelona Attack:

With Leo Messi and Henrik Larsson out, the attacking line will start with Guily (right), Eto'o (centre) and Ronaldinho (left).
Ronaldinho, being rested will be absolutely delighted to show his perfect skills in this match.

He is up for the big show and is the one player who can decide this semi final just on his own. Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed that Barca's Brazilian sensation Ronaldinho will not be man-marked during the game, something which Ronaldinho will be happy to hear and may be a tactical mistake that Milan have to pay for dearly.


The Barcelona Midfield:


The creative midfield department causes a few problems for Barca coach Rijkaard. Xavi is still out for another 2 weeks and Deco is suspended due to a yellow card against Benfica. Rijkaard will probably field Edmilson as anchor and Iniesta as replacement for creative Deco while Van Bommel will take over the hard working part. Barcelona´s Van Bommel and Iniesta have shown great performances. Van Bommel has still a point to prove following last year's defeat with PSV.


The Barcelona Defence:

If Rijkaard does decide to risk Mexican defender Rafael Marquez despite his lack of action he will field Oleguer (right), Marquez and Puyol (both central), Gio as the back four. Belletti and Sylvinho with their Brazilian attacking style will be saved probably for the home match at Camp Nou.





The Milan Attack:
Milan inform striker Filippo Inzaghi is out.

Milan´s star striker Ukrainian Andrei Schevchenko, leading scorer in the present Uefa Champions League season with nine goals will be joined in attack by Italian international Alberto Gilardino, one of the highest profile signings in Italian football last summer. Despite scoring 16 goals in Serie A he has yet to open his European Campions League goalscoring account .


The Milan Midfield:


The Milan midfield is full of strength and creativity and has an impressive balance of physical power and creative technique. Pirlo will play in the middle the defensive part and organize the Milan game. Gattuso, as we know him, will fiercely guarde the Milan defence and Seedorf will work and provide more creative options through the centre and on the left side of the field. The offensive danger will be supplied by Kaká. The young Brazilian international is one of the best in the world in his position, along with brazilian team mate Ronaldinho playing on the other side.


The Milan Defence:

Milan´s is extraordinarily experienced with several players playing at the highest level for two decades. 4 of 6 possible defenders are over 35 years old: Costacurta (40 next week), Maldini (37), Cafú and Staam (both 35). The other two regular defenders are Kaladze and Nesta, who are 28 and 30 respectively. Milan coach Ancelotti will most likely start with Cafu, Nesta, Kaladze and Maldini. Interesting will be, how Milan will solve the problem “Ronaldinho”. Cafu being more a winger than a defender, Ancelotti will go for zonal marking against Ronaldinho, thereby relieving Cafu of some of the marking responsibility with Gattuso helping out in this department. Maldini will use his experience against Guily's pace, with Nesta man marking Barça top scorer Eto'o.


Our Prediction: Overall, FC Barcelona have been doing much better than AC Milan this season, in the domestic Championship as well as Champions League. But FC Barcelona has to be at its best to win at San Siro. Milan´s form is peaking and we can not doubt the experience. But experience could also mean too old. We suppose that Ronaldinho, Eto´o and Giuly will give the “old guard” a run for their money. We are convinced that the Barca team is totally focused and had the advantage to concentrate on this important match due to the fact that the championship title is nearly won. We think Barça can repeat the performance at Stamford Bridge. Whatever the result will be, the semi final will be decided in the second leg at Camp Nou in Barcelona.
AC Milan 0 – Barcelona 1

Visca el Barça!