Write us off at your peril, warns Sheva

ROUND One to Barcelona - but AC Milan still have a knockout punch waiting.

That is the warning by the Rossoneri’s Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko after his team failed to break down a Barca team that once again received a match-winning piece of magic from Ronaldinho.

The Brazilian set up French team-mate Ludovic Giuly in the 57th minute for the only goal of the game.

Shevchenko, top scorer in this season’s Champions League with nine goals, said: “There are still 90 minutes left to play and by no means do we consider this tie over. Barcelona are a very good team and it’s going to be difficult but not impossible. In football there is nothing certain.”

Milan were supposed to have an advantage in experience with many of their players having beaten Juventus to the European title in 2003.

Milan were also in last year’s final against Liverpool but lost on penalties.

One player in the Italian team without that experience though is Alberto Gilardino, the Italy striker who joined last summer from Parma.

Gilardino has scored 16 Serie A goals but has failed to hit the target in any of his Champions League appearances for Milan. He hit the post against Barcelona and also missed an open goal.

His team-mate, Kaka, should have shot himself but instead passed to the wrong-footed Gilardino.

“It’s a pity that we have lost at home but luck was not on our side,” he said.

“We had a lot of opportunities but we didn’t take advantage and they did.

“Barca play very open football and I think this is something that we can take advantage of in the return leg.

“I am convinced that we will win at the Nou Camp. We can turn around the 1-0 deficit, we have the quality and the strength to do it.

“I think my first goal in the Champions League will arrive eventually. I haven’t been fortunate but I am calm.”