Barcelona eager to banish ghosts of 1994
Johan Cruyff's so-called "dream team", which won four consecutive league titles and the club's only European Cup in 1992, were crushed 4-0 by the Italians in the 1994 final, a humiliation that still rankles with Barca supporters.
Now the side that many believe could rival the achievements of the Cruyff era has the chance to become the first team since 1956 to knock the Italian giants out at the semi-final stage.
Barca hold a 1-0 advantage and with an unbeaten European home record that stretches back three seasons, they're in a strong position to secure their place in a fifth final and first since that 1994 defeat.
Midfielder Deco, who returns after missing the first leg through suspension, insisted his team would not take anything for granted at the Nou Camp against the six-times European champions.
"We could be in for an even more difficult game than when we played at their ground," he said. "We will have to be 100% focused if we are to go through.
"They'll be going full out because they know they have to win and they'll be on the attack and pressuring us all the time. We can't allow them to have as many chances as they had at the San Siro."
Unlike Milan, who had to dig deep to claim a 3-1 comeback win over Messina at the weekend, Barca will be well rested after their league game in Sevilla was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
"We had to wait a long time to see if they would play the game," said Barca coach Frank Rijkaard.
"The good thing, though, is that we didn't have to use any energy."
Although the rest would have given Ronaldinho time to recover from muscle pains, the Catalans will be without Argentine forward Lionel Messi and fullback Oleguer who are injured.
Sweden striker Henrik Larsson is doubtful because of a thigh strain.
Milan's victory in Sicily on Saturday carried a heavy price coach Carlo Ancelotti was forced to substitute three players inside the opening 28 minutes.
Kaka and Alessandro Nesta were substituted with injuries before Massimo Ambrosini, who replaced Kaka, also had to go off.
Nesta is the most serious injury worry and if he fails to make it then Jaap Stam will probably partner Kakha Kaladze in the centre of defence.
Striker Filippo Inzaghi, who missed the first-leg with a virus, is expected to start in attack.
The win at Messina left Milan only three points behind long time leaders Juventus but Ancelotti is focused on the European front.
"I believe that it will still be easier for us to win the Champions League than the 'scudetto'," he said. "Juve are still three points ahead and have the opportunity to stay ahead. But with Barcelona we have the possibility to win.
"The paradox is that the 0-1 result will actually help our agility and our calm approach during the second leg."
(Probable teams): Barcelona: Valdes; Belletti, Puyol, Marquez, van Bronckhorst (or Silvinho); Deco, Edmilson, Iniesta (or van Bommel); Giuly, Ronaldinho, Eto'o.
Milan: Dida; Cafu, Nesta (or Stam), Kaladze, Serginho; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kaka; Shevchenko, Inzaghi.
Referee: Markus Merk (Germany).
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