AC Milan won the UEFA Champions League final, beating Liverpool 2-1 inside the normal 90 minutes. Two goals by goal machine Inzaghi helped the Italian side secure victory, while Dutchman Kuyt's late goal for Liverpool proving too little, too late. The final will not be remembered as a classic, as some feel that both Milan & Liverpool could have offered more than what we saw in the final. But Milan supporters will not care - after all, they got the trophy, & are now kings of Europe.So, no repeat of the Istanbul heroics for Liverpool, who can feel a little hard done by as they were the better side in the first half. However, Liverpool went a goal down just before half-time ended, courtesy of Xabi Alonso needlessly conceding a free-kick just outside the box. Pirlo took the free-kick, which struck Inzaghi on his shoulder & went into the net. Inzaghi wouldn't have known much about what happened, but hey, a goal is a goal, & the goal-meister would be happy to claim it. So for all Liverpool's first-half efforts, they were lacking in the finishing department, & they trailed at half-time. You would have expected Liverpool to come out fighting in the second half. Try as they might, their second-half performance was a little subdued, perhaps a reflection of Milan (who had an ordinary first-half) slowly coming to grips with the match. Late late in the second-half, Inzaghi scored his & Milan's second goal to seal the Champions League trophy. Kaka ran at the Liverpool's retreating defence, which offered him perhaps a little more space than they ought to. Thus Kaka, who had until then shown only glimpses of his great talent, slipped a through pass for Inzaghi to take the ball wide of the keeper & slide it into the net. A masterful piece of opportunism, a perfect demonstration of being at the right place at the right time. Liverpool's forwards simply could not replicate Inzaghi's nose for goal, & that played a significant part in the final outcome.
Liverpool can look back at "what might have been". If Gerrard had taken his chance in the second-half when bursting through into Milan's penalty area with only the keeper to beat, then it would have been 1-1 & who knows what would have happened next. If only the coach had not taken off Mascherano who had done such a good job containing Kaka, then perhaps Kaka may not have that much space as he did get in setting up Milan's second goal. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps. From AC Milan's point of view, it was revenge for what happened in Istanbul in 2005 (they were winning 3-0 at half-time, then pegged back by Liverpool to 3-3 & then proceeded to lose on penalty shoot-out).
I guess Milan's extra quality made the difference in the end, although Liverpool can be proud of their efforts & were certainly not disgraced in any way to lose to such a quality side as Milan. It's pleasing to hear Liverpool coach & players graciously accepting that they were beaten by a better side, a top-class side. No whinging from anyone, no excuses offered whatsoever, but simply acceptance of defeat. Even in defeat, Liverpool managed to show that they do belong to the elite of European club football. As for Milan, they have perhaps been the best side in Europe this season, so perhaps it was fitting that they lift the trophy. The fact that they are able to secure victory without playing at their best is testament to their quality. It's a great way for some of their players who will probably bid farewell to the club, most notably long-serving loyal servant Maldini. As for Milan coach Ancelotti, what can I say - he's a great coach. I like him & I hope securing this trophy for Milan will go a long way towards silencing certain critics who do not believe in him & his ability to lead Milan.
Congratulations Milan, commiserations Liverpool.
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