Milan well aware of Lyon threat

The last time AC Milan visited France for a UEFA Champions League tie, they lost a group encounter 2-1 at RC Lens. However, they went on to win the 2002/03 competition, and three seasons on, must get past Olympique Lyonnais in the quarter-finals if they are to have a chance of reclaiming the trophy in Paris.

Lyon's San Siro wins
Lyon and 2004/05 runners-up Milan have never met before in UEFA competition, but the Rossoneri ought to be careful. On Lyon's two previous visits to the San Siro, to play FC Internazionale Milano in the 1997/98 UEFA Cup second round and 2002/03 UEFA Champions League group stage, they won 2-1. Meanwhile, in eight trips to France, Milan have lost five times.

'Great side'
Certainly, Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani is cautious. "Lyon are a great side," he said. "Just because they do not have a prestigious history, people can underestimate them. But their recent results are clear: they have won the French league four times in row and they are going to win again this year. Last year they were unlucky to go out in the quarter-finals against PSV [Eindhoven]. It won't be an easy game, we will have to play at our best."

President pleased
Lyon cruised past PSV 5-0 on aggregate in the first knockout round this time around, and club president Jean-Michel Aulas is happy with how the draw has worked out. He said: "It's a good draw. Playing the first leg at home is what we hoped for because Juninho [Pernambucano] is suspended for that game. We wanted him to be with us away from home. Some may complain but I'm satisfied. First because playing giants like Milan, whom we have never met, is very exciting. Then because I remember that we were told we had an easy draw for the last two years against FC Porto and PSV Eindhoven. It's also a good thing to play in Milan for our fans."

No derby
The projected semi-final opponents for the winners of this tie are SL Benfica or FC Barcelona - both teams Milan have beaten in European Champion Clubs' Cup finals - meaning there will be no rematch with Inter for their city rivals, at least until the title decider, the neighbours having met in the 2002/03 semi-finals and 2004/05 last eight, a game marred by violence. Umberto Gandini, Milan's organising director, said: "The potential derby against Internazionale can only happen in the final in Paris. It's good news." Milan will go to Lyon on Wednesday 29 March, with the return the following Tuesday.