CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

who say Italian football is in crisis! In one year we have won the World Cup and the Champions League. Some crisis, eh? That Istanbul defeat will remain with us for all our lives. This is another trophy. Today we are celebrating and Liverpool are crying, the same way we did in 2005.” Maldini hoisted the trophy aloft for the fifth time, but has no intention of making it his last trip up those steps. “It would be a good way to end my career, but I want to play the Intercontinental Cup in December, not to mention trying to win the Champions League again.” Had he not conquered Liverpool,

not to mention trying to win the Champions League again.” Had he not conquered Liverpool,

After missing out on the Final in 2005, Pippo Inzaghi more than made up for it with his match-winning brace

many believe it would have been the end of Ancelotti’s Milan career – including the Coach himself. “The greatest satisfaction is having won the Champions League in what could have been my last season here. “Up until November it wasn’t looking good for me, but we turned things around. I have a special feeling with this club and only here could I have achieved so much in five years. The quality of our play was certainly much better two years ago, but this is football. Our opponents were tough and very tight, so it was difficult for us to play.” Much like Italy’s World Cup triumph had to come on penalties and against their Euro 2000 victors France in order to exorcise those demons, it was somehow fitting that Milan beat Liverpool in a far more evenly matched tie than in 2005 and with a fortunate opener. “We played really well in the first half but conceded a goal through bad luck,” said Rafa Benitez. “We were pushing and left a space and they have the quality to make the difference. We were trying to keep the ball, but you need to take your chances. We lost against a good team with top-class players.” Big Fan Herbert Fandel officiated his first Champions League Final and Milan have won all six of their matches with him in charge. The others were a 2-0 UEFA Cup victory over Hapoel Tel Aviv on May 21, 2002, plus three Champions League ties over Club Brugge on November 4, 2003, against Shakhtar Donetsk on September 14, 2004 and beating Manchester United on March 8, 2005. The only previous goal conceded by the Rossoneri in a Fandel game was in the 4-1 win over Anderlecht on November 1, 2006. Liverpool had never previously scored when crossing paths with Fandel, notching up two defeats and a draw prior to Athens.

very tight, so it was difficult for us to play.” Much like Italy’s World Cup triumph had to come on penalties and against their Euro 2000 victors France in order to exorcise those demons, it was somehow fitting that Milan beat Liverpool in a far more evenly matched tie than in 2005 and with a fortunate opener. “We played really well in the first half but conceded a goal through bad luck,” said Rafa Benitez. “We were pushing and left a space and they have the quality to make the difference. We were trying to keep the ball, but you need to take your chances. We lost against a good team with top-class players.” Big Fan Herbert Fandel officiated his first Champions League Final and Milan have won all six of their matches with him in charge. The others were a 2-0 UEFA Cup victory over Hapoel Tel Aviv on May 21, 2002, plus three Champions League ties over Club Brugge on November 4, 2003, against Shakhtar Donetsk on September 14,

United on March 8, 2005. The only previous goal conceded by the Rossoneri in a Fandel game was in the 4-1 win over Anderlecht on November 1, 2006. Liverpool had never previously scored when crossing paths with Fandel, notching up two defeats and a draw prior to Athens.

Clarence Seedorf had a quiet game but left with another medal, while Silvio Berlusconi milked the celebrations with Pippo Inzaghi, Seedorf and Kaka

Five Star Paolo Maldini becomes only the fourth player ever to win the European Cup five times. As well as Athens, the captain has tasted glory in 1989, ‘90, ‘94 and 2003, all with Milan. He joins Real Madrid heroes Jose Zarraga and Alfredo Di Stefano and is just one behind Paco Gento. Like father Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina joined a select band of just three father and sons who have appeared in European Cup Finals. Miguel Sanchez and his son, also Miguel, achieved that feat for Real Madrid, Cesare and Paolo Maldini did so for Milan. The Rossoneri skipper was playing in his eighth Final to equal the record of Real Madrid winger Francisco Gento. Quote of the Day “Liverpool are going to win the Champions League Final – I am absolutely 100 per cent confident of that.” Alan Hansen denies reports he also said there were WMD in Iraq and that Scooch were going to win Eurovision. May Day The Champions League Final was played for the third time on May 23. The first was in 1990, when Arrigo Sacchi’s Milan saw off Benfica 1-0 in Vienna with Frank Rijkaard’s strike. The next was in 2001 at San Siro with Bayern Munich only beating Valencia on penalties. The Rossoneri have also played a European Cup-Winners Cup Final on May 23, 1968, lifting the trophy with a 2-0 victory over Hamburg. Golden Oldies Milan had the oldest starting XI in a Champions League Final with an average age of 31 years and 34 days. The three previous oldest teams had all lost. Hello again This is only the fifth time in European Cup history that clubs have met in the Final more than once. Milan feature heavily in this list, taking on Benfica in 1963 and 1990 as well as Ajax in 1969 and 1995. Juventus met Ajax in 1973 and 1996, while Real Madrid and Stade de Reims clashed in 1956 and 1959.

10 Calcio Italia June 2007