Published on: Friday, May 25, 2007 |
ATHENS: AC Milan were crowned European champions for the seventh time after they edged Liverpool 2-1 in the Champions League final here on Wednesday, taking their revenge for their heartbreaking defeat to the Merseysiders in the 2005 final.
Filippo Inzaghi scored both Milan goals - the first coming off his shoulder after he was struck by Andrea Pirlo's free-kick just before half time - before he netted a second in the 82nd minute after being put through superbly by Kaka.
Dirk Kuyt pulled one back for Liverpool a minute from time with a close range header, but Milan held on to lift the trophy.
For Milan it was pretty much a miraculous victory having originally been expelled from this year's tournament and docked eight points from their domestic championship for their involvement in Italy's match-fixing scandal.
However, they were allowed back into the Champions League and Wednesday saw them culminate one of the more extravagant comebacks since Lazarus was raised from the dead.
Two years ago in Istanbul Milan stormed into a 3-0 half-time lead only to allow Liverpool to draw level within a six-minute second half spell, before losing to the Premiership side on penalties.
But this time there was less drama and no Liverpool heroics as Milan atoned themselves for the worst night in their history.
However, for Milan's hardman midfielder Gennaro Gattuso it was revenge personified
"The defeat in Istanbul will stay with me for the rest of my life," said Gattuso, who briefly had a spell with Scottish giants Rangers.
"But today it's Liverpool who are crying, just like we did two years ago," added the non-compromising World Cup winning midfielder. Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez admitted the best team had won.
"I am not happy with the time added on but congratulations to AC Milan," said the Spaniard.
"We created some chances in the first-half. I think we played better than we did in Istanbul (2005) with the wingers being used more but the deflection on the first goal changed everything.
"Of course we can come back and make another final, after all that is two (finals) in three years."
For Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, who had a great chance to level with 30 minutes remaining but saw Dida smother it, the better team had won.
"I'll have to go back and see the video but to my mind the better side won," said the England international.
"We controlled the game in the first-half but let it drift away in the second.
"They (AC Milan) are a top side and we have to take stock and come back again which we will do again next year."
AC Milan midfield counterpart Clarence Seedorf, who was more muted than in his previous Champions League appearances this season, admitted that it had not been the greatest of finals.
"I am so proud to be part of this team. We worked so hard as it has been a very difficult year," said the Dutch international.
"We made it happen because we have such a great spirit in this team but it was not a great final. We were lucky and took our chances."
The Olympic Stadium in Athens, which was modernised in 2002 for the Olympic Games two years later, has proved a lucky venue for Milan as they also won the 1994 Champions League final here, beating Barcelona 4-0.
Milan captain Paolo Maldini, whose season has been plagued by a left knee injury was passed fit to play, enabling him to equal former Real Madrid midfielder Francisco Gento's record of eight European Cup final appearances.
Inzaghi was preferred to Alberto Gilardino to play as a lone striker for the Serie A side. Behind him to offer support were attacking midfielders Kaka, the competition's leading scorer with 10 goals, and Dutchman Clarence Seedorf.
