Brazilian talents will be decisive on Tuesday night when Milan host Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League semis, a game that both sides wish to finish in their favor to stay on course for the final. Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard waits a massive contribution from his star midfielder Ronaldinho whose impressive display through out the campaign was a major reason behind the Catalans success. "Ronaldinho is very important for us," Barcelona's website quoted the Dutchman as saying in a press conference at the San Siro on Monday. "He's inspired our fans and is the star of this Barca side." Ronaldinho's compatriots Edmilson and Oleguer will line up in the back line while a fourth Brazilian, Thiago Motta, will make a rare start in the midfield to cover the absence of Portugal's Deco who is suspended with two yellow cards. However, Milan's confident coach Carlo Ancelotti shows no fear of the FIFA Best Footballer of the World and hinted that Barca's danger lies in their team work. "I won't man-mark Ronaldinho and hopefully we can control him with zonal marking," Ancelotti told reporters. "And I don't think that Deco's absence will change much in the way Barcelona play." Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko, who scored nine times in the tournament so far and seen as the Italians' real source of threat, echoed similar sentiments. "It's Milan against Barcelona, not Shevchenko against Ronaldinho," the Ukrainian star said.
Kaka "The most important thing is the group and the collective spirit, all will be decided between them and us in a balanced affair." Milan, who play their third semi-finals tie in just four seasons, also have their own Brazilian contingent led by inspiring playmaker Kaka. Kaka had an outstanding weekend when he scored his first ever Serie A hat-trick against Chievo to keep Milan in the hunt for the title. He bears the responsibility of dishing out some defense-splitting passes to get both Sheva and his striking partner Alberto Gilardino, starting instead of ill Filippo Inzaghi. Although Kaka is seen by Milan fans as their own copy of Ronaldinho, Rijkaard refuses such a comparison. "Kaka is a great player who confirms his status every week with his performances and goals (but) they are different and that's the beauty of football," he said. Brazil's first-choice goalkeeper Dida and winger Serginho will start for Milan while their national team captain and veteran right-back Marcus Cafu is still out of action, as he hasn't fully recovered from injury.
