The La Liga leaders will travel in two buses the 634 kilometres to Cannes on Sunday and stay overnight before covering the last 351 kilometres to Milan on Monday.

Pep Guardiola's side have been forced to change their plans by the cloud of volcanic ash which has been disrupting flights around Europe. Both Barcelona and Milan airports were closed on Sunday.

After Saturday's 0-0 draw at city rivals Espanyol, Guardiola had played down the significance of a possible road trip to northern Italy.

"It wouldn't be the best but there are teams from the lower leagues that travel 17 hours by bus," he said.

"A semi-final is enough to help anyone get over any tiredness."

Reuters