Sports news > Football news > AC Milan v Liverpool, the Sequel: It's Kaka v Mascherano and Gattuso v Gerrard

AC Milan v Liverpool, the Sequel: It's Kaka v Mascherano and Gattuso v Gerrard

Rafa's Reds staged the finest European comeback of all time to beat the Italians two years ago, but who will carry off the trophy this time?

by Ejaz Khan on 22 May 2007

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As the Champions League Final inches closer, we prepare for pandemonium as Liverpool take on AC Milan for the second time in three years. Liverpool's amazing comeback to win it from three goals down is still fresh in the memory.

Revenge is the only thought on the minds of the Milan players, and they’ll be hoping it will be sweet. Their midfield dynamo, Gennaro Gattuso, said a short while after last year's Istanbul final: “It is better to lose
3-0 without touching the ball, than to lose the way we did.” The bitterness of that defeat still lingers on and Kaka, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, Gattuso and the rest will be eager to erase the memories of that fateful night.

Rafa Benitez has his work cut out, and one crucial decision will be whether or not to start with Harry Kewell, who limped off in the Champions League in 2005 and later in the FA Cup in 2006. Liverpool are worn thin in the left flank department, with Mark Gonzalez not able to take on defenders but bursting with pace, and Bolo Zenden eager to take on defenders but too slow to make an impact. Kewell will fit in perfectly, but his fitness seems to be his worst obstacle.

Dirk Kuyt most probably will start alongside Craig Bellamy, who has blown hot and cold all season. Peter Crouch will feature at some stage, his height sure to pose problems for the Milan back line. Liverpool will be without Champions League talisman Luis Garcia, and he will be sorely missed. His trickery and ability to change a game with one moment of brilliance was a key element in the Reds' rampage through Europe two years ago.

Another headache for Rafa will be whether to assign Momo Sissoko or Javier Mascherano to cut Kaka out of the game. Sissoko can win a lot more balls for Liverpool, but his passing lets the team and himself down most times, and there’s little or zero margin for error in the Champions League Final. Mascherano is a better bet to start as he provides good defensive cover as well as a full range of passes that will no doubt put him up the pecking order.

Comments (16)

by Sonny on May 23, 2007

Liverpool will have the edge over AC Milan if they can keep Kaka quiet, and stop the flow of passes from midfield. I think Liverpool will win this, either in normal time, extra-time, or maybe penalties again! Go Reds!

by anh_reskiv on May 23, 2007

never give up el milano. milan is great slow but certain not like l,pool that just like fighter. i just remind to you all that football have art like milan does not with just power but use the brain to play.... okay!!!! milan never give up better than last year at 2005 this is different with 2 years ago liverpool not on fire i hopeful milan be a champion at this years. not just now, but forever

by Samuel on May 23, 2007

AC Milan is full of artist, they are in athens to perform their act in a butiful way, so that this world will remember how they beat man.utd at San siro nad how thy butifully reveange Liverpool at athnes. I am a fun of AC milan, i appreciate pirlo pass, Kaka fast move, Gatusos warior behavior and Nesta quality of reading attacker move. so i expect Ac milan will beat Liverpool 3 to 1

by julianno on May 23, 2007

it will be really tight and the game will be decided by 1 goal being the difference either 2-1 or 1-0 as a liveerpool fan there is no secre who will be the champs of europe.. headlined they have done it again 2nd most champs league winners or european cup as it use to be on parr with milan 2nd to midrid....

by Ron Hannon on May 23, 2007

by Mad Red on May 23, 2007

AC Milan are going to suffer from constipation because Rafa's plan is to stop the Kaka !

by Shane Robinson on May 23, 2007

Bellamy to start with Kuyt? No idea who your sources are but I have seen no indications that Bellamy will start. Crouch maybe but not Bells

by Dalek on May 23, 2007

Gerrard the dying swan master was not touched by Gattusso to earn the equalising pen two years in Istanbull ago see ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-oBiqmopkM Gerrard a cheat? An unashemed scouse liar maybe the footballers not the theatrical agents will win this one - forza Milan suspend the cheats who ruin games!!

by Pretzel on May 23, 2007

Quite right no wonder he would play Gattusso week in week out he could con the ref in every game - get a grip Steven and stop diving and see if we can win this one fairly - come on you reds!!!

by MBOOWA STUART on May 24, 2007

Better late than never. We acheived playing in the finals, but other clubs didn't Thats enough success. PLEASE ALSO UPDATE ME CONTINOUSLY ABOUT MY TEAM

by MBOOWA STUART on May 24, 2007

Better late than never. We acheived playing in the finals, but other clubs didn't Thats enough success. PLEASE ALSO UPDATE ME CONTINOUSLY ABOUT MY TEAM

by MBOOWA STUART on May 24, 2007

Better late than never. We acheived playing in the finals, but other clubs didn't Thats enough success. PLEASE ALSO UPDATE ME CONTINOUSLY ABOUT MY TEAM

by Cherie on May 24, 2007

Oh please . . .

by mohsen on May 29, 2007

by qlirim on July 06, 2007

kaka vs c.ronaldo vs messi vs ronaldinho

by qlirim on July 06, 2007

kaka vs c.ronaldo vs messi vs ronaldinho

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Ejaz Khan

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