Barcelona's players worked hard to control their euphoria after securing a 1-0 first-leg win over AC Milan in their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.

"I can't see the top of the Eiffel Tower [Images] yet," captain Carles Puyol told reporters.

"I am well aware of the significance of such a win in the San Siro but we haven't won anything yet, and there are still another 90 minutes to go."

The victory brought to an end to Milan's 13-match unbeaten home run in Europe and moved Barcelona a step nearer next month's final in Paris.

The breakthrough came in the 57th minute when Frenchman Ludovic Giuly slammed a rising shot inside the near post, after racing on to a clever pass from Ronaldinho [Images].

After a difficult season, where he has often been forced to play second fiddle to Argentine youngster Lionel Messi [Images], Giuly said the goal is a big boost, not just for the team.

He said: "Ronaldinho's pass for the goal was fantastic. I am delighted because I hadn't scored for a while and it was a crucial goal for the team and for my confidence.

"The second half was ours. We managed to control the game quite comfortably and we were in better shape physically than our opponents."

Ronaldinho hit a post soon after Giuly's goal but the Spaniards failed to add to their score despite taking charge in the final minutes.

Milan created enough chances to have at least drawn the game and hit a post themselves early on.

Echoing the words of his team mates Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o remained cautious about next Wednesday's decider at the Nou Camp.

"We still have a lot of work to do," he said. "Nothing is ever settled in football. We had to be very patient today and we have to be prepared to do the same in the second leg."