Barcelona are in pole position to qualify for the Champions League final after a second-half strike from Ludovic Giuly gave them a 1-0 victory at the San Siro.

Milan are playing in their third Champions League semi-final in four years and twice went close to opening the scoring through Alberto Gilardino.

But Barca claimed a crucial away goal - and eventually a first-leg advantage - after Ronaldinho prised open the Milan defence in the 57th minute for Giuly, the only Barca player to have played in a Champions League final - with Monaco in 2004.