Wednesday, April 19 2006 16:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Milan: AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti insisted his team were still capable of reaching the Champions League final, despite their demoralising 1-0 home defeat to Barcelona on Tuesday (Apr 18, 2006).

Ludovic Giuly scored a precious away goal for Barca whose semi-final, first leg win makes them firm favourites to progress to the Paris final on May 17.

However, Ancelotti believes the tie is far from over, even though the six-time European champions have an almighty task ahead of them in the second leg at the Camp Nou a week on Wednesday.

"Its a bad result, but it doesnot mean we have no chance of reaching the final - anything could happen," he said. "Paradoxically, this result allows us to be free to attack, whereas I think Barca will hold back a bit.

Barcelona is very good at keeping possession

"Barcelona is very good at keeping possession, so it was tough to break through, but we created a good number of scoring opportunities and we can do so again at the Camp Nou."

Barcelona's victory leaves them well placed to reach the final, but their Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o refused to get carried away. "The important thing was to get the result and now we need to make sure we stay ahead," he said.

"A 1-0 result isn't an easy one to hang on to, but it is an advantage and we hope it will help us reach the final." Giuly pounced in the 57th minute, firing home from an acute angle after running onto Ronaldinho's superb through-ball.

"We could have played better, but I thought we did more than them and that gives us confidence for the return leg.