LIFE in the Jones household will be fraught for the next few days.

For not only are soccer-mad mother and daughter Dawn and Kerry on opposing sides for the forthcoming European Champions League Final, they are also struggling to get tickets for the big game at Old Trafford.

Dawn, from Atherton, has been a keen AC Milan fan for the past 13 years, after watching Italia 90 on television.

"I just love Italian football," she said. "I don't watch any English football, only if they are playing an Italian team."

The Newsquest -- publishers of the Journal -- van driver now spends her holidays flying out to Italy to watch her favourite team.

"A lot of people say I'm sad but it's all I enjoy doing," she said.

And her enthusiasm has proved infectious. Daughter Kerry aged 20, a student at Bolton Institute, also supports Italian football -- but she backs Juventus. The two teams will be facing each other in the final on May 28.

Dawn, aged 46, is worried that she might not be able to get tickets for the match on her home soil.

"I've contacted AC Milan and was put on hold for half an hour," she said. The language barrier has proved difficult and tickets are on offer over the internet for a staggering £2,500 a pair.

"I might have to fly out to Milan to get tickets," she added.

But Dawn is prepared for the expense to see her favourite Paulo Maldini.

"He's just a brilliant defender," she said. "I always claim that he's the best in the world."