April 20, 2006	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 21, 1427

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MILAN, April 19: Barcelona took a huge step towards reaching the Champions League final after they defeated AC Milan 1-0 in front of 80,000 spectators at the San Siro on Tuesday.

Ludovic Giuly scored a precious away goal for the Spanish champions and current league leaders to seal a semifinal, first leg win, making them firm favourites to progress to the Paris final on May 17.

The French international broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, firing home from an acute angle after running onto Ronaldinho's superb through-ball.

Milan's Alberto Gilardino hit the post in the first half, while Brazilian

World Footballer of the Year Ronaldinho was also denied by the upright shortly after Giuly had struck.

Desperate to make amends for their heartbreaking defeat in last season's final against Liverpool, Milan have an almighty task ahead of them in the second leg, which takes place at the Camp Nou a week on Wednesday.

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard brought in Andres Iniesta to replace the suspended Deco on the left of midfield, while Henrik Larsson and Lionel Messi were ruled out.

Argentine prodigy Messi has not played since he limped out of Barca's last 16, second leg match against Chelsea on March 7 with a torn muscle in his right leg, while Larsson suffered a hamstring strain in last Saturday's 1-0 league win over Villarreal.

Gilardino partnered Andriy Shevchenko in Milan's attack after penalty box predator Filippo Inzaghi was laid low by a virus.

Gilardino, who had failed to score in his previous eight Champions League matches, almost ended his European goal drought in the 14th minute, but after shaking off two markers he smashed an angled shot against the post.

Seconds later, Clarence Seedorf crossed from the left to the back post and Shevchenko's downward header was superbly blocked by Barca keeper Victor Valdes.

The visitors’ first real chance fell to Samuel Eto'o in the 23rd minute, but the Cameroon striker drilled a low shot harmlessly wide.

Ronaldinho's free-kick was charged down as the Catalans shook off their early hesitancy, before Barca captain Carlos Puyol was booked for bringing down Kaka.

Milan complained that Puyol should have been sent off as they felt that Kaka was denied a clear run on goal.

The home side should have struck the first blow six minutes after the restart.

Shevchenko's chipped pass found Kaka, who rather than shoot from an excellent position, inexplicably tried to set up Gilardino instead, and the Italy international sent his effort wide of the post.

The miss was to prove costly as Barca soon silenced the expectant home crowd.

Ronaldinho's shrugged off a strong challenge from Gennaro Gattuso and clipped a sublime pass into the box for Giuly to chase.

The Frenchman nipped in ahead of Alessandro Nesta and Kakha Kaladze and fired a left-footed shot, which beat Nelson Dida at his near post.

A lightning counter-attack almost led to Barca's second goal six minutes later, but Ronaldinho struck the inside of the post with a low shot after mesemerising the Milan defence with his quick feet. —AFP