Barcelona's Dutch coach Frank Rijkaard says AC Milan start Tuesday's Champions League semi-final, first-leg match as favourites but that will count for little when battle commences.

"If you have to say now, looking at the history, Milan are favourites. Over the years they have shown they are very hard to beat," the former Milan player told a news conference before training on Monday.

"But being favourites means nothing, you need to go out and prove it on the pitch. It will be a great game and we'll see who wins."

The Barcelona coach said his side were not focusing on securing an 'away goal' but wanted to play their own game.

"We will not think about that -- if we score one and Milan score 10 it doesn't count for much. What counts is imposing ourselves on the game," said the Dutchman.

"It will be great to play a side like Milan -- I expect a great match with both sides trying to impose their own game and score goals."

Rijkaard and Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti were team mates and played together in Milan's European Cup triumphs in 1989 and 1990.

"I respect Ancelotti very much but we are both working for our own roles and objectives and tomorrow we won't think about anything else," said Rijkaard.