BARCELONA: FC Barcelona needs only a draw with six-time winner AC Milan on Wednesday to reach its fifth Champions League final.

And that would leave Frank Rijkaard's side close to one of the greatest achievements in Barcelona's 106-year history.

Already virtually certain of retaining its Spanish league title, Barcelona seeks to emulate its double triumph in 1992 when it beat Sampdoria 1-0 at Wembley and finished a point ahead of Real Madrid to win the league.

Barcelona's 1-0 victory in the semifinal first leg at Milan's San Siro stadium boosted its chances of reaching the May 17 final in Paris.

Giuly's advice

Ludovic Giuly, who scored the winning goal from Ronaldinho's pass, urged his team to be cautious ahead of the second leg at Camp Nou stadium.

``You could say my goal sets us on the way to Paris but the work's not done yet,'' he said. ``We have to go little by little, approach the game calmly and not believe we have already reached the final.''

A Barcelona victory would avenge the 4-0 loss to the Italian team in the 1994 Champions League final.

Milan, whose president Silvio Berlusconi stepped down as Italy's Prime Minister last week after an electoral defeat, remains hopeful of overcoming the deficit.

Great match in store

``Milan can win at Camp Nou, although we are aware of the strength of Frank Rijkaard's team. For sure, it will be a great match,'' Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said.

Milan, which is pressing Juventus for the Italian title, has injury worries ahead of the game, which will attract a 98,000 capacity crowd.

Captain Paolo Maldini, Andriy Shevchenko, Kaka, Cafu and Alessandro Nesta are all fighting to overcome injuries. Nesta is the most doubtful. Massimo Ambrosini is definitely out.

Shevchenko ready

Shevchenko said he was ready to play.

``You can't miss this match even if you're limping,'' the Ukrainian striker said. ``We must play well, with no hurry. Scoring chances will come and we must be prepared to take them.''

Striker Filippo Inzaghi, who has scored five goals in the Champions League and 10 in Serie A this season, has recovered from the virus, which forced him to miss the first leg. Barcelona will be without injured forward Lionel Messi, suspended defender Oleguer Presas and long-term casualty Xavi Hernandez. The team will welcome back midfielder Deco, who missed the first game through suspension.

``We have to play with the same attitude and strength as we did in San Siro. Milan is a very dangerous team,'' said Deco, who won the Champions League with Porto in 2004. — AP

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