Not only do we have Frank Rijkaard returning to face the team with which he enjoyed his most glorious moments in the competition, but he does so against his midfield partner throughout that period, Carlo Ancelotti. The meeting also harks back to one of Barcelona's most harrowing moments in Europe, when their much admired 'dream team' was devastated 4-0 by Milan in the 1994 final.

But, of course, we don't have to go back that far in history for these sides' last meeting in the competition. With virtually the same squads, they met in the group stage last season, cancelling each other out as Milan won 1-0 at home before Barca responded 2-1 at Camp Nou.

The two side's standings have altered since then - Milan seemingly still in post-traumatic stress after Istanbul while Rijkaard's side have dazzled the continent - but injuries and form could well see them cancel each other out again.

Indeed, Barca's superior season has already taken its toll. They are stuttering as they seek to clinch La Primera Liga, while their free-scoring verve similarly abandoned them against Benfica. Furthermore, they enter this game potentially missing the spine of their team. With Deco suspended and Leo Messi still injured from the Chelsea tie, Rafael Marquez and Thiago Motta are also struggling to be fit. Milan, by contrast, have a full squad but, as the quarter-. nal against Lyon proved, not necessarily one that's on full form.

Of course, the tradition of this tie combined with the fact it's a Champions League semi-. nal should naturally revitalise both teams, but not enough for any decisive outcome on Tuesday. Led by Ronaldinho, Barca should have the response for anything a slightly sharper Milan come up with.

Verdict score draw

ARSENAL v VILLARREAL Wednesday, Highbury, 7.45 Live, RTE Two, 7.30 Yes, here's that word again - romance. Or at least romance insofar as a multi-million euro competition can conjure it. The Champions League is developing a knack for it however.

Following Porto's 'unfashionable' win in 2004 and Liverpool's miracle last year, we now have the promise of one of these European Cup final virgins competing in Paris.

And though no-one would suggest Arsenal are minnows, the manner in which they have got to this stage - the furthest they have reached in the competition - has enraptured Europe. A manager admirably resolute in his philosophy of producing impressionist football through youth, and all apparently in a season of transition.

Villarreal, by contrast, are very much minnows. Indeed, from a town of only 48,000 inhabitants, this is only their seventh season in La Primera Liga. And though it can't be said they have been parsimonious in their transformation, they have relied, like Sam Allardyce, on revitalising disaffected players such as Diego Forlan, Jose Mari and, above all, Juan Roman Riquelme.

Sticking with the script, this game should be suitably attractive to watch. Indeed, both side's differing attitudes to attacking football should make it an engaging encounter, Arsenal's swift and smooth counterattacking against Villarreal's patient build-up.

For all that though, the truth is that Villarreal are fortunate to still be here. They have been inconsistent in the league and, had they met the Inter side of two months ago, would be out of this competition.

While both are relatively injury free - Arsene Wenger has had to make do without Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole for the majority of the campaign - they have a high-profile suspension each. Villarreal are without first-choice Uruguayan goalkeeper Sebastian Viera while Arsenal are missing Jose Antonio Reyes. That's where the balance between the teams ends though.

Arsenal have acquired a determination in this competition so expect a performance similar to their first leg against Juventus with the same outcome. The romance for the Spanish side ends here.

Verdict home win