Italy's finest get mixed reviews

By Patrick Hart

Calcio's reputation is riding high again after three Serie A teams made it through to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. But not everyone is happy.

Catenaccio is back 
The progress of AC Milan, Internazionale FC and Juventus FC provoked mixed reactions in the European media - and polarised opinion in Italy and Spain. The Italian sports press hailed the return of 'catenaccio' after Inter and Juve squeezed into the last four at the expense of Valencia CF and FC Barcelona.

Defensive art 
Both teams relied on a deadlocked defence and quick breakaways - tactics that were applauded by the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper. "We might be in the 21st century but we haven't forgotten the art of catenaccio," it said.

Italian style 
Ten-man Juve scored an extra-time winner to defeat Barcelona 2-1 at Camp Nou, 3-2 on aggregate, while Inter prevailed on away goals after losing 2-1 at the Mestalla. The Corriere dello Sport saluted the former's "miracle" victory - "a fantastic win earned by goals from Pavel Nedved and Marcelo Zalayeta". But the Spanish daily Marca thought that Barça had been beaten by "an Italian-style performance", which translates as 'unfairly'.

'Death of football' 
Inter "owed their passage to goalkeeper Francesco Toldo, who pulled off a series of prodigious saves", the Gazzetta said. "It was a siege." The Spanish daily Marca echoed that sentiment, insisting that: "Valencia were much better than Inter." Valencia coach Rafael Benítez was rather more explicit in his appraisal, saying: "If all sides played like Inter then football could disappear. They are the death of football."

Proud achievement
Unsurprisingly, the Italians went back on the counterattack. After Milan completed a triumvirate of semi-finalists on Wednesday, the Gazzetta heralded "the Italian dream" and said: "Three teams in the semi-final is an historic achievement that only Spanish football has matched, in 2000. Now the Spanish have only Real Madrid [CF] left. Their two other teams fell into Italian traps. The Spanish press have insulted our teams but we don't care if they are angry."

Heaven and hell
Milan advanced thanks to Jon Dahl Tomasson's injury-time goal in a 3-2 win against AFC Ajax. "Milan in heaven" was the Gazzetta reaction, but the Dutch daily Volkskrant lamented the "cruel" ending to "Ajax's march in Europe at the hands of a crafty Italian rival". No such worries for Tuttosport who looked forward to an all-Milan semi-final, saying: "A team from Milan will play the final on 28 May. It could be a match between two Italian sides. But Juve have to defeat a great team [Real Madrid] first."

Splendid match
Juve should already be "trembling with fright", AS said, after the other quarter-final second leg between Madrid and Manchester United FC at Old Trafford saw holders Madrid at their best - and arguably worst. "God bless Ronaldo," the paper added, after his hat-trick denied United in a "a splendid match" which finished 4-3 to the hosts but 6-5 to Madrid on aggregate. Marca continued the plaudits saying: "That's how football should be played."

Last word
The Times, meanwhile, paid tribute to both sides, saying: "Departure from the European Cup was made bearable for a privileged Old Trafford crowd by the pluck of Manchester United and the audacious brilliance of Real Madrid." Amen to that.