Milan facing must-win tie with old rivals

In so many seasons Juventus v Milan would be a match that influenced the destiny of the scudetto. Not this year. The Serie A title is between Internazionale and Roma, who are four points apart. Juve are 14 points off the pace, Milan 20. The only issue at stake tonight is the Champions League qualifying places for, separating the two in the fourth and final place, are Fiorentina.

Milan are desperate to qualify. Failure will spell the end for Carlo Ancelotti. Their prospects of defeating Claudio Ranieri's team, and maybe stealing closer to Fiorentina who travel to Inter tomorrow, are, however, hampered by the absence, through suspension and injury, of defenders Alessandro Nesta, Kakha Kaladze, Massimo Oddo and Marek Jankulovski. For Juve Pavel Nedved and Cristiano Zanetti are ruled out.

In Spain some good news, at last, for Frank Rijkaard. Lionel Messi returns to the Barcelona squad for today's match with Recreativo Huelva. Messi, who tore a thigh muscle in March, should now be fit for the Champions League semi-final against Manchester United. Barça also need his help domestically. Having won once in six they trail Real Madrid by seven points, and are equal on points with third-placed Villarreal. Today Barça will be without Thierry Henry, Bojan Krkic and Andres Iniesta through injury.