Football Corner

Tonight's match between AC Milan and Barcelona is sure to be one of the best games in the Champions League this season. The two European giants will battle it out for a place in the Final where they will face either Villarreal or Arsenal in Paris next month. Italian giants AC have been hit by the news that striker Fillipo Inzaghi will miss the first leg in the San Siro tonight through a virus and Barcelona will have to make do without Swedish striker Henrik Larsson who misses out with a thigh injury. Barca will also be without Deco who is suspended for the game tonight.

Barca boss Frank Rijkaard believes the semi final could prove a seminal moment in the club's recent history. "This game is our big opportunity to consolidate ourselves as one of the top clubs," he said. "We're a young team that still has a lot of hunger for victories, but it's time to show it at the top level. "Milan is a team with a lot of experience, a great system of play and a very strong defence. It will be very interesting to see how we react against an opponent of this nature."

AC Milan chairman Adriano Galliani has dismissed claims that his side's push for the Serie A title will distract them from the match. Milan host Barcelona just days after moving to within five points of Juventus in Italy's premier league. But Galliani said: "We have only the Champions League in mind and we are focusing exclusively on Barcelona." Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi added: "I think it will be fun. Not just for Milan fans, but for all the fans in Europe and the world that will follow this game."

Key battles tonight for me are the likes of Barca captain Puyol against Ukrainian hit-man Andre Shevchenko and Samuel Eto'o against Italian dfender Alessandro Nesta. I can see AC winning the first leg 2-1 but overall I see Spanish giants Barcelona going through on aggregate and going on to win the trophy. You can watch the game on ITV 1 tonight! Enjoy the match!

Sunderland have finally been put out of their misery after they have finally been guarenteed relagation after a fighting performance at Old Trafford were they drew 0-0 with title chasers Man United. Sunderland have been all but down pretty much since the start of the season but they didn't go down without a fight having a few good chances against the Red Devils. Sunderland needed a win tonight but they could only manage a draw.

The Black Cats keeper Kelvin Davis was in magnificent form tonight and basically put an end to United's slim hopes of clinching the title of Chelsea. Sunderland's caretaker manager was full of praise for his side: "The way they played was magnificent, we didn't come to make up the numbers, we came to have a go. "Every player was superb and there were opportunities for us to have won. "We have to build on that, we've got five massive games and we need to build for the future. The main thing now is to prepare right for Monday against Newcastle."

Man United boss Alex Ferguson remained adimint after the game that United still had a chance of winning the league! DREAM ON ALEX!!!!

Manchester United have signed the biggest sponsership deal in the UK today after they signed a deal with American Insurance company AIG (American Insurance Group). The deal is worth £56.5m over four years, the club said. United have had to find a new shirt logo sponsor after current sponsor Vodafone decided to end its £9m-a-year agreement from the end of this season.

The deal is seen as key to United as they look to bolster their squad to help them challenge for domestic and European honours. Off and on the pitch, United have undergone a slight dip in form during the past couple of years. Earlier this year, a survey said that Real Madrid had overtaken Manchester United to become the world's richest football club in terms of income.

I have to say that this is a very good step forward for Man United because the money could help their transfer budget in the summer. Although I am not a United fan I am hoping that this will make United challenge for the league alot more next year with Chelsea because although they have had a good end to the season their star wasn't great. I also would like to say that the logo looks nice on the jersey!

Reading have today been crowned champions of the Championship after a impresive 5-0 win over Derby County. The Royals were last week guarenteed promotion last week and clinched the title this week. They have had a very impresive season this year but few could predict such a comprehensive victory in the Championship after they lost their first game of the season at home to Plymouth 2-1 way back in August.

They have had all of their strikers in top form this season and have also had a very solid back line. The manager Steve Coppell deserves great credit for bringing what seemingly was a Championship mid-table side to become Champions is a great achievement. I would like to congragulate all of the staff and fans involved with Reading Football club and wish them the best of look in the Premiership next season.

If you would like to read the report of today's game between Reading and Derby then just click here!