Tomorrow morning (Queensland time) is the final of the UEFA Champions League for season 2006/2007. The showdown in Athens will be between AC Milan & Liverpool. It's a repeat of the 2004/2005 final in Istanbul which was won so dramatically by Liverpool who came from 3 goals down at half-time to draw 3-3 & clinch the trophy on penalty-shootout.
So, how will the final pan out this time round? Differently, in my opinion. AC Milan are a better side than Liverpool, & their form in the Champions League semi-final destruction of Manchester United will have encouraged their fans to believe that their side can secure revenge for what happened in Istanbul 2 years ago. Based considerably on that semi-final form, AC Milan start the final as favourites. People may talk of revenge, but it will be dangerous if Milan get too obsessed with it. I'm sure their coach Carlo Ancelotti will be wise enough to play down talk of revenge.
Key players in midfield for Milan would be Brazil's Kaka (perhaps the best footballer in the world currently), Dutchman Seedorf & Italy's Pirlo & Gattuso. In fact, midfield is definitely Milan's greatest strength. They combine very well in this department, & when on song, Milan's football is free-flowing & sparkling - witness the semi-final matches against Manchester United where Milan's midfield featured prominently. In attack, Milan would look to forward Inzaghi for goals. Then they also have old stalwart Maldini in defense, playing what could be his last game for the club, as well as Italy's star centre-back Nesta & the Georgian, Kaladze. The Czech, Jankulovski, is a useful full-back, too. Brazil's keeper Dida will start in goal.
As for Liverpool, they will be keen to prove that their success in Istanbul was no accident. As always, they will look firstly to England midfielder Steven Gerrard for inspiration. He will be accomoanied in midfield by either Argentina's Mascherano or Spain's Xabi Alonso - it's likely either but not both will play alongside Gerrard. In attack, Liverpool could choose from beanpole Crouch, Holland's Kuyt or Bellamy the Welshman. Their defense will be marshalled by Carragher. In goals, they have the Spanish shot-stopper, Reina, who has such a fantastic record of penalty saves. So if the final were to go all the way to penalty shoot-out, then Liverpool will definitely fancy their chances. After all, that's how they won the cup in Istanbul 2 years ago, & that they beat London giants Chelsea in this year's semi-final.
Milan will certainly use memories of Istanbul as extra motivation to get it right this time in the final. And I think they might succeed. Milan will win either 2-0 or 2-1. And don't be surprised if the final goes into extra-time, either. The final could be a very close affair, but I think in the end, AC Milan will be winners, albeit pushed very hard by their opponents.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment