Milan are the 2007 European Champions, signalling a great run since the takeover by Silvio Berlusconi. The Rossoneri weren't given a glimmer of hope at the beginning of the campaign, but they held strong through the toughest times in their history to bring glory to Italy.

Sure, people proclaim that they didn't deserve to be in the tournament due to the Calpiolli Scandal, but that’s beside the point. It’s no measure of their performance and resilience in the world’s biggest football club competition. Here it comes down to luck, dominance, class and experience - and Milan possessed the qualities that saw them through to lift the Big One.

A co-author on Sportingo predicted that Wednesday’s final would come down to a moment of brilliance; it came from Kaka, whose class produced a sublime pass for Filippo Inzaghi to round off what has been a tremendous season for the Italian giants. From the bottom of the bottom, with the various point penalties and lack of confidence in their footballing ability, they have proved critics wrong and climbed straight back to the top.

Liverpool did, however, play well and I must say dominated Milan for most of the game. But a solid defence, moments of brilliance and lady luck were more important than the aggressive, rushed play of the Reds. Milan maintained their calmness and in their bid to avenge their 2005 giveaway, they showed character in defeating the English giants to rewrite football history for themselves and in Europe.

I believe Javier Mascherano was the difference on Wednesday night, just as Gennaro Gattuso was the difference in the first leg of the semi-final against Manchester United. The Argentinian overshadowed the ever-brilliant Kaka until he was substituted as Liverpool moved into a more attack-minded approach. This led to freeing up Kaka, who took his freedom gracefully with that winning pass as he edges closer and closer to taking the European and World Footballer of the Year awards – as well as claiming his first UEFA Champions medal.

Although Milan failed to dominate, with the likes of Clarence Seedorf in mediocre form, they maintained their structure, emphasising that ultimately it all comes down to teamwork and resilience. Milan managed to make Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard a little less effective than in the 2005 Final, and while Jermaine Pennant provided the greater threat to the Rossoneri, even his good play was overshadowed somewhat by Milan’s structure, calmness and lack of panic when they were on the ball.