Europe awaits its blockbuster.

The mere prospect of Barcelona against Inter Milan in the semi-final of the champions league should be enough to sate any rabid connoisseur of the game but the sheer abundance of little duels, duels with bite and a history that form the sub-plot to this game give it the air of a blockbuster. How about one brother marking another? Gabi Milito, the durable Barca centre-half must deal with Inter's main poacher Diego. What about Zlatan Ibrahamovic going back to his old stomping ground? Or Samuel Eto'o back at his, eager to prove to Pep Guardiola that he was wrong in discarding him. Even Maxwell, Barca's quiet left-back is playing against his former club. These clubs have even met this year twice in the group stages. A bore draw in Italy was followed by a comfortable Barca victory. That, though is no form guide. The Inter of today are a different more believing beast. One that will not be afraid of Barca. All these sub-plots though, merely form the crust to the meaty center. The meeting of the special one and Jose Mourinho.

In six meetings against teams managed by Mourinho, Lionel Messi has failed to score. There are mitigating circumstances for this. Messi was a teenager when he faced Jose's Chelsea. He was also the reason Aisner Del Horno was sent off in one of those encounters. In his meetings with Inter this season Messi wore the look of an prized endurance runner keeping it cool for the opening laps and the salient point about records of course is that they are meant to be broken. Remember before Rome? Messi had gone eleven without scoring against English teams and couldn't score a header apparently. Mourinho will have a plan and it will have to be a clever one. Inter have no-one in the Cole or Evra mould to shadow Messi but they do have some grizzled South Americans who know all about him.

Of course Barca are more than Messi and Inter pose some serious threats themselves. Wesley Snejider's performance at Stanford Bridge was arguably the finest in this season's champions league bar the flea's against Arsenal. Milito, Pandev and Eto'o form a quick, intelligent triumvirate up front. Lucio has been the outstanding defender in the competition and in Julio Ceaser they have a goalkeeper of genuine class. Mourinho may follow the blueprint marked out by Espanol on Saturday. Press Barca, make Xavi work for his passes and try to choke any space around Messi. Barca only have a plan A. It just happens to be one of the finest ever seen. It will be interesting to see if Guardiola opts for Bojan or Ibrahamovic. The Swede is just back from injury and his more physical approach would suit Lucio who sometimes struggles against quicker more nimble attackers.

Like so many classic movies the setting is superb, the journey-for bus-bound Barca at least-is arduous. Brothers and comrade's will do battle while a general will try and stop the seemingly unstoppable. The Catalans to prevail but with a bloodied nose.