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Vol 13 Issue 6 June 2007 (No 142) WELCOME

After the horrors of Istanbul two years ago, Milan got revenge over Liverpool and their hands on the European Cup again with victory in Athens

Inter have to concentrate on just two domestic fronts now after their unsavoury exit from the Champions League

Revenge is sweet. Especially when it comes in Europe’s most prestigious club competition. After congratulating Inter last month, it’s their great city rivals who get the plaudits this time. Milan messed up in Turkey two years ago. A horrendous six minutes cost them the Champions Cup. This time, against the same opposition, they were the Athens Avengers. We held back publication of this issue in the hope of reporting on a Rossoneri success. We’re so glad we did. A season that began with the joy of an Italian World Cup win only to be marred by the disgrace of the Calciopoli verdicts now ends with Milan’s seventh European Cup victory – just two behind the mighty Real Madrid. As Rino Gattuso – victorious in both Germany and Greece – put it so succinctly: “Italian football in crisis? Some crisis.” After the boredom of the third and fourth place play-off just four days earlier between Man Utd and Chelsea – in what was otherwise known as the FA Cup Final – this was slightly better fare against Liverpool. Strangely though, Carlo Ancelotti’s side played nowhere near as well as they had two years ago. But a couple of typically predatory goals from one of Milan’s many creaking old bones were enough to change those tears into unconfined joy. It was the Merseysiders’ turn this time to discover that the side who has most of the play doesn’t always win. Inzaghi’s strikes meant Steven Gerrard’s brave Reds were well and truly SuperPippoed. And although there was another heart-stopping finale, who would begrudge Paolo Maldini again holding aloft the famous old trophy like his Dad Cesare had done with the same club 44 years before? It’s lovely reporting on success and we devote nine pages to Milan’s triumph. Indeed, most of this issue is about the glory boys. We continue the Inter celebrations, congratulate Roma on snatching the

Coppa Italia and welcome back Juventus to the top table. What a feast in store next season when Serie A resumes normal service. Inside there’s plenty for fans of each of these clubs to wallow in. And some of the world’s top names, including Pavel Nedved, Paolo Maldini, Javier Zanetti and Luis Figo, tell us the inside story on their team’s achievements. Top bosses join us too with Carlo Ancelotti reflecting on Milan’s triumph, Roberto Mancini explaining where he wants to go with Inter and Didier Deschamps answering his critics inside the Juventus camp. There are exclusive interviews too with Livorno’s controversial Cristiano Lucarelli and little Antonio Di Natale, the only man so far to have broken into the Azzurri’s post-World Cup team. And which stars will you be voting for as Player of the Season? No doubt events of the past few weeks will colour your judgement. But some terrific names on our eight-man shortlist. One who would have made that list several times over in the past 15 years is Angelo Peruzzi. As he hangs up his gloves, we say farewell to the former Azzurri goalkeeper. Believe it or not, we’ve got room too for all our usual features. And with stunning pictures, great stories, revealing interviews, endless stats and outspoken comment from experts who know the Italian scene it’s an issue we’re particularly proud of. Enjoy it all. And we look forward to your company again next month when we round up the Serie A season with a club-by-club review that contains every conceivable detail about your very own team. And don’t forget, for minute-by-minute updates visit our terrific website at www.channel4. com/sport/football_italia which has loads more information including special reports from our own magazine experts. Forza John D Taylor Editor