Indeed, that Liverpool even remain in contention going into this game owes to the vagaries of the mind . . . or rather the fear of an away goal that played on Jose Mourinho's. So focused and overpowering were his team in the first half on Wednesday that the tie should have been settled by its end. And so meagre was Liverpool's response once Chelsea cautiously closed up that, for Rafa Benitez's side to have any chance in the second leg, they are relying on another mental intangible . . . the rousing effect of the Anfield crowd.

Of course, Chelsea have far too much resolve to be affected by that. They withstood a similar wall of sound at the Mestalla in the quarter-finals and it's not like they haven't been here before.

Even if it does provide the verve that was so lacking in Liverpool's first-leg attacks, their outlets of Craig Bellamy, Dirk Kuyt and Peter Crouch are so onedimensional that it's hard to see them beating Petr Cech on one occasion, let alone the two they need. It may not be too pretty to watch but then, that's going to be one thing far from Chelsea's minds.

Verdict Scoreless draw.

Chelsea go through

AC MILAN v MANCHESTER UNITED (agg 2-3) Wednesday, San Siro, 7.45 Live, RTE Two, 7.00 Whereas Tuesday's semi-final concerns the mind, this is all about the body. Or rather, how the Milan players were let down by their endurance and conditioning last week. Not for the first time in the last month, never mind the last two or three seasons, Milan physically wilted in the closing stages of a big European game. And though that only allowed Manchester United a sliver of an advantage going to the San Siro, it will give them massive reassurance in the closing stages of the second leg . . .regardless of the situation.

And it's a reassurance they'll probably need. Despite the imminent return of Rio Ferdinand, with their defence in such disarray and Kaka in such eminent form, they're unlikely to keep the clean sheet that would see them through. Further concern comes from Carlo Ancelotti's probable exclusion of the underwhelming Alberto Gilardino for Pippo Inzaghi, who has such a fine record against Alex Ferguson's side.

But then, United don't have the mentality, nor the personnel, to cagily play for the draw they require. With Wayne Rooney having re-found his spark in the Champions League, and . . .

judging by the Italian media reaction . . . the Milan defence seemingly living in fear of him and his capable supporting cast in Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, United should have the force, and stamina, to match any Milan strike with a vital away goal.

Verdict Draw. Manchester United go through