Milan vs. Barça – 1st Leg

Am I the only football fan excited about today’s big game? It’s the Champions League semi-final first leg at the San Siro stadium. Two great teams with super players and filled with Brazilian talents. There will be 8 Brazilians starting on the pitch, Dida, Cafu, Kaka, Serginho and Amoroso for Milan and Belletti, Thiago Motta and Ronaldinho for Barcelona. There will be other top quality players as well, like Messi (I’m not sure he will play), Eto’o and Shevchenko.

Poking around the clubs sites I gathered some nice things about the Brazilians. Before the game it’s clear everyone is trying to push the favoritism away pointing out the other side’s qualities, but it’s nice to read anyway.

Andriy Shevchenko about Ronaldinho: “I was pleased that the San Siro applauded Ronaldinho in March because he is a top player and plays in an entertaining way”.

More Shevchenko about Ronaldinho: “He is a very attractive player to watch, he brings beauty to the game of football”.

Shevchenko about the game: “It’s Milan against Barcelona, not Shevchenko against Ronaldinho, the most important thing is the group and the collective spirit”.

Barça coach Frank Rijkaard about Kaka and Ronaldinho: “They’re different and that’s the beauty of football. Kaká is a great international player who confirms his status every week with his performances and his goals. Ronaldinho is very important for us. He’s inspired our fans and is the star of this Barça side”.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti believes that he has one key player to undo Barcelona: Kaká. “A lot will depend on his aptitude to win things in midfield.”

More Ancelotti: “I won’t man-mark Ronaldinho and hopefully we can control him with zonal marking”.

Barcelona site about Kaka: “The (Milan) skill factor is supplied by Ricardo Iczeson Santos Leite, better known as ‘Kaka’. The Brazilian is one of the best in the world in his position, along with international team mate Ronaldinho”.

Barcelona site about Dida: “Milan have Brazilian international Dida, a goalkeeper with exceptional reflexes and who is especially good in the air”. (let’s see if he is as bad as people are saying, maybe the time has finally come for Rogerio Ceni)

Now let me warn Ronaldinho about the traditional Italian defense: be afraid, be very afraid. The World Cup is near and they can do some damage to your legs. Be magical, but careful too, ok?

Read more details in their sites: Barcelona / Milan