Milan abuzz as Barça test nears

Easter may be over but in Milan there is not the slightest sign of back-to-work blues. Even though people have returned to their jobs after the break, the city is abuzz with a sense of excited anticipation of the events that await this evening at the San Siro, as AC Milan host FC Barcelona in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final.

Record figure
Although this is Milan's third semi-final in four years, the pulling power of this contest cannot be overstated. The club have broken box office records, having sold - according to Corriere Della Sera - 76,858 tickets for a reported return of €3,260,405, beating last year's takings from the derby defeat of FC Internazionale Milano at this stage by €30,000. The Milanello training ground was teeming with supporters on Monday eager to catch a glimpse of their heroes before they take on the Spanish champions, while Barça themselves attracted a staggering 6,000 fans to their training headquarters last week.

Worldwide appeal
Tonight's match is not just the talk of northern Italy or Catalonia either; this meeting of two of Europe's most illustrious clubs has drawn worldwide attention. At the San Siro tonight there will be 220 journalists from the written press, 78 photographers, 75 radio and television commentators, and 448 additional broadcasting personnel. All are responsible for transmitting words and pictures - with the assistance of 44 different television cameras - to 60 countries around the world.

Ronaldinho challenge
The local press fell over themselves to find superlatives for Barcelona's undoubted star attraction, Ronaldinho. The Gazzetta dello Sport led with a picture of the Brazilian forward celebrating one of the seven UEFA Champions League goals that has made him the tournament's second-highest goalscorer and the headline: "Milan, try and beat him." Editor Alberto Cerrutti wrote of "the night of stars, the spectacular clash between the last two European Footballers of the Year, Andriy Shevchenko and Ronaldinho.

'Magical night'
"Whichever side gets knocked out cannot be said to have failed in any way because both sides deserve to be applauded," continued Cerruti. Tuttosport also identifies Ronaldinho as the key threat: "Milan, bewitch him," reads the headline, followed by, "Football has arrived at the San Siro". The Corriere Della Sera is looking forward to a "Magical Night" describing the tie as "The derby of the beautiful game", while La Repubblica says simply: "Milan v Barcelona, what a match." It seems whichever side is victorious, the general consensus is that all will be privileged to witness such a wonderful occasion.