Reds want legendary repeat in Athens

ATHENS: On Merseyside they like to remember it as the 'Miracle of Istanbul'. In Milan they would just like to forget all about it.

If the 2005 Champions League final is ever recalled in the red and black heartlands of Lombardy, it is with the kind of shivery discomfort usually associated with the aftermath of a particularly unpleasant dream.

But it is inevitable that the legacy of two years ago, when Liverpool overturned a 3-0 half-time deficit to AC Milan before clinching their fifth European Cup on penalties, will loom large here tonight when the two sides cross swords once more with club football's biggest prize at stake.

Having gracefully swatted Manchester United to one side with majestic performances in both legs of their semifinal, Milan should, in theory, walk out into the Olympic Stadium gleefully contemplating the near inevitability of revenge against opponents who - they will hardly need reminding - finished the Premiership campaign 21 points adrift of the new English champions.

Soccer is rarely that simple however and the doubts planted in Milan's psyche by that Steven Gerrard-fuelled fightback two years ago will ensure form counts for little.

"The two teams are balanced," acknowledged Carlo Ancelotti, the Milan coach, before stressing how different the backdrop to this year's final has been for his club compared with two years ago.

Having been docked eight points at the start of the season for their involvement in Italy's match-fixing scandal, Milan were never in with a shout in their domestic title race and have consequently been able to concentrate most of their energy on their European campaign.

"Two years ago we were a bit tired but we are in better shape coming into this year's final," Ancelotti said. "In 2005 we expected to reach the final, or at least come close to it. This year, getting to the final is an extraordinary achievement given all the problems we have had."

Although there were some last-minute doubts about whether Paolo Maldini's left knee would be able to withstand 90 minutes or more, Ancelotti is confident that the wealth of experience in his side will ensure flashbacks to 2005 should not prove too disabling.

Experience counts

"In a game like this, experience counts," he said. "The way in which players handle the pressure, especially on the eve of the match is very important. But we have plenty of players who are used to this kind of pressure, players who have won in Europe and who have won the World Cup."

While Ancelotti has been seeking to minimize the significance of the past, his counterpart Rafael Benitez has sought to harness the folk memory of that night in Istanbul to inspire his side to another night of glory.

"If we win, people might still be talking about it in a hundred years," the Spaniard claimed this week. "Six weeks ago it might have been us who were the favorites but now AC Milan have beaten Manchester United and maybe people think they are favourites.

"We still approach the game in the same way. They have a good team, we have a good team - but I still have my notes from Istanbul not as a souvenir but because I will use them again for sure."

Benitez added: "If they are harder to beat it will be because their players have more experience of winning European competitions and experience of winning the World Cup.

"They will use their experience in this game but it is also the same situation for us. We have more experience now than two years ago too. From my point of view, the two teams are in a similar situation."

If everyone is fit, Milan's first XI virtually picks itself with Ancelotti's only real selection issue being whether he opts for the finishing prowess of Filippo Inzaghi or the greater youthful vigour of Alberto Gilardino in a forward partnership with Kaka, the Brazilian who has been the tournament's outstanding performer this season with 10 goals.

Formation rotation

Benitez's fondness for constantly adapting his formations to suit their opponents make Liverpool's starting line-up less easy to predict. But he seems certain to deploy two holding midfielders as insurance against Kaka's ability to wreak havoc in the spaces between the back four and midfield.

Javier Mascherano will take one of those with the second slot a straight choice between the drive of Momo Sissoko and the superior passing ability of Xabi Alonso.

Up front, Dirk Kuyt has established himself as an automatic choice but the Dutchman could be paired with either Peter Crouch or Craig Bellamy, or deployed as a lone striker with Steven Gerrard given license to roam in the spaces behind him.

But with an injury to Bolo Zenden meaning the injury-prone Harry Kewell - who went off early in the match two years ago - is likely to start on the left flank, it would seem likely that Gerrard will be restricted to a right-sided role while Bellamy is asked to use his pace to stretch the Milan back four.

It was a tactic that worked superbly well when Liverpool won in Barcelona earlier in the campaign.

AFP

(China Daily 05/23/2007 page23)

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