Two of Europes biggest teams take on each other at the San Siro, both hoping to come out victors in the crucial 1st leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final.

A game being touted as an 'early final' by many, this promises to be a game to remember when Barca travel to Milan to take on the high flying AC Milan.

Coming into this game, Milan have had a great run of scores in recent times. In their last two league games, Milan have claimed the scalps of Chievo, with an emphatic 4-1 win, and their city rivals Inter, with a 1-0 win thanks to Kaladze. Thier last CL game was when they were able to beat the stylish Lyon 3-1, thanks to two last gasp goals by Sheva and Inzaghi.

Their statistics in the CL are as impressive as their recent scores. They are the second highest scoring side in the CL with 20 goals, and they have the current CL top scorer, Sheva, who has netted 9 goals so far.

AC Milan expect to line-up with a very similar formation to that which played Lyon. Only Inzaghi has been ruled out of that squad as he has a fever, and will not be able to compete in this leg of the tie.

On the other hand you have Barca. A team, who coming into this game, have an 11 point gap as the outright leaders of La Liga. They have'nt been at their best in La Liga as of late, but with that much of a gap, and a game as big as this one coming up, it was understandable that they would rest some key players. Their two last La Liga games finished in a draw and a win respectively. Santander being the first of those games, where Barca travelled to Santander and came back with a 2-2 draw. The other game was against fellow La Liga CL semi-finalists Villarreal, a game which ended 1-0 to Barca thanks to an Etoo goal in the first half. Their last CL game ended 2-0 against Benfica, a last gasp goal from Etoo sealed what was a tense encounter.

Barca's CL form is one to be admirred though. They come into this game unbeaten in the CL, having racked up 7 wins and 3 draws. They are also the CL's top scoring side with 21 goals, one more than rivals AC Milan. Ronaldinho is their top scorer currently, with an impressive 7 goals to his name.

For this game, Barca will regain the services of three of their injured players. Ronaldinho, Marquez, and Motta have all made comebacks, and have all been included to the roster. However, Barca will be without Messi, Larsson, and Xavi through injury, and will be without midfield utility Deco because of suspension.

The bookies, understandbly, have this one as a very close encounter, however they still see Milan as the favorites, and are offering up these odds:

Milan Win: 2.4:1

Draw: 3.1:1

Barca Win: 2.9:1