Puyol's Barca living for today
AC Milan may boast an impressive European pedigree but Barcelona captain Carles Puyol insists his side will be focussing on the present and not the past when the two teams clash in the Champions League semi-finals.
Barca travel to the San Siro for tomorrow’s first leg holding an 11-point lead at the top of the Primera Liga and having swept aside English champions Chelsea and Portuguese giants Benfica on their way to the last four of the Champions League.
The reigning Spanish champions have looked in formidable form over the last 18 months and it is that success that Puyol wants his side to draw on when they meet a Milan side packed with European know-how having won the Champions League title in 2003 and finished runners-up last season to Liverpool.
“Milan has more experience than us and that’s important,” said Puyol.
“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.
“We have a 50% chance to go through to the final.”
On an individual level, Puyol knows he will have to be at the top of his game in the semis as he will come face to face with Milan’s prolific Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko, the Champions League top-scorer this season with nine goals in 10 games.
“It’s always difficult to mark a player like Shevchenko,” said the Spanish international.
“He is a great champion.”
As well as looking to claim a place in this year‘s final, Barca will also be seeking to set the record straight for the club’s fans after their humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Milan in the 1994 final.
Barca coach Frank Rijkaard, who returns to the San Siro having played at Milan, admits it is going to be tough.
“It’s difficult to say who is the favourite,” he said.
“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.”
The absence of Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi, who is struggling with flu, is of little consolation for Rijkaard as he will be without midfielder Deco, who serves a one-match ban.
“We will miss Deco,” admitted Rijkaard.
To make matters worse, Barca will also be deprived of Argentinian youngster Lionel Messi and Swedish striker Henrik Larsson through injury.
Rijkaard will rely on attacking duo Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o to make the difference.
The Cameroon international appears to have recovered his top form having scored in Barca’s last three games.
Brazilian ace Ronaldinho has missed Barca‘s last two matches with a bruised muscle but Rijkaard expects the reigning World and European Player of the Year to shine against Milan.
“I really don’t think Ronaldinho will be affected by the atmosphere at the San Siro,” he said.
Mexican international Rafael Marquez returns to the Barca starting XI and will partner Puyol in central defence.
