Milan shine among final four

Scoring spree
Milan went one better than the three goals they managed against Olympique Lyonnais in midweek as they won 4-1 against AC Chievo Verona. Kaká set up their first goal for Alessandro Nesta, then scored a second-half hat-trick as the hosts came from behind to gain a handsome victory. The Rossoneri thereby reclaimed second place in Serie A, closing the gap on Juventus to seven points.

Barça held
FC Barcelona, who visit the San Siro for next Tuesday's semi-final first leg, had to work much harder for their point away to Real Racing Club Santander. The Spanish title-holders were trailing before Samuel Eto'o struck on 33 minutes to secure a 2-2 draw. Henrik Larsson earlier put Barça in front in the 18th minute, but Racing responded with two goals in four minutes from Antoñito and Óscar Serrano before Eto'o's equaliser. Barcelona top the table by eleven points with six matches remaining.

Puyol ban
However, the Blaugrana had captain Carles Puyol sent off late on for two yellow cards, and he will miss Friday's league game against fellow UEFA Champions League semi-finalists Villarreal CF, who were also held to a draw. RC Deportivo La Coruña scored first through Sergio González after 71 minutes at El Madrigal, but Villarreal striker Guillermo Franco made it 1-1 to keep both teams in contention for UEFA Cup places.

Arsenal suffer
After shutting out Juventus to reach the last four of the continental competition, Arsenal FC had the disappointment of losing 2-0 at Manchester United FC. Second-half goals from Wayne Rooney and Ji-Sung Park further damaged Arsenal's prospects of finishing in one of the UEFA Champions League qualifying spots. With Arsenal in sixth position behind Tottenham Hotspur FC and Blackburn Rovers FC, there is a growing feeling the Gunners will have to win the UEFA Champions League to gain entry to the tournament.