UCL Final - Milan vs. Liverpool... Athens, May 23rd

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...ia/may23m.html

Andriy Shevchenko’s agent may say he has no intention of returning to Milan, but a more important figure says otherwise – wife Kristen Pazik.

The American model was widely believed to be the reason why he moved to Chelsea last summer, as she wanted to be in an English-speaking city to raise their children.


“We feel at home in Italy and I think Andriy would build a great partnership with Ronaldo, who is one of my favourite players,” she told ‘Chi’ magazine.


“My husband is my other half and it is important for me that he is happy. He has to play where it is best for him.


“In my country they say home is where the heart is – and Italy is a home for us, far more so than London.”


One of the reasons given for Shevchenko’s failure to settle at Stamford Bridge has been his trouble with the different language and culture after seven years in Milan.


The Ukrainian hitman has flown out to Athens for tonight’s Final as a guest of his former club, cheering them on as they meet Liverpool.


“I will be following the game with the desire for revenge after that defeat two years ago I still cannot explain,” said Mr Shevchenko.


“I still support Milan for my teammates, the club, the President and for myself. I think that Milan need to avenge all of us who played in Istanbul.”

Well, they did drop Carlo, so I guess anything's possible

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

How's he managed that?

to much celebrating!!!!

Ancelotti said he may leave: http://www.milanmania.com/forums/sho...946#post433946

Carlo Ancelotti believes it was in Milan’s destiny to win the Champions League at the end of “what could have been my last season.”

The Rossoneri outplayed Liverpool and lost in Istanbul, but despite a less crushing display came out 2-1 winners this time around.

“The quality of our football was certainly much better two years ago, but this is football. Our opponents were tough and very tight, so it was difficult for us to play,” said the Coach.

“This trophy was in our destiny considering everything that happened to us in Istanbul and this season. We didn’t so much deserve it for what we did tonight as all we had to go through to get here.”

They were originally excluded from the competition due to the Calciopoli trial, but won an appeal to go through the preliminary round with just two weeks to prepare.

“The greatest satisfaction is having won the Champions League in what could have been my last season here,” confessed Ancelotti, who has often been under fire.

“Up until November it wasn’t looking good for me, but we turned things around. I have a special feeling with this club and only here could I have achieved so much in five years.

“In the moments of difficulty we always had great synchronicity between the club, Coach and players. The real difference came in the mid-season training camp in Malta during the Winter break. For a long time we were without injured players like Pippo Inzaghi, Kakha Kaladze, Paolo Maldini, Serginho and Alessandro Nesta.

“We have a special feeling with this competition and also saw it as our best chance of winning some silverware this season.”

Milan were forced to start Serie A with an eight-point penalty, but in recent months have stepped up a few gears and finished in the top four.

Inzaghi was the hero in Athens after bagging a brace, taking his career tally to 42 goals in 69 Champions League appearances.

“In Istanbul Inzaghi was not even on the bench, as he had an injury. I think he was not at 100 per cent today either, but he feels and experiences these games more than anyone else. I lost count of how many times he needed the toilet before kick-off!”

The opener was a lucky deflection off Andrea Pirlo’s free kick, while he sprung the offside trap for the second.

“Liverpool do not attack very much and try to take advantage of deadball situations. When Peter Crouch came on they started to put the ball long, but Inzaghi’s goal opened the game up,” added Ancelotti.

“Inzaghi has scored many goals that can be considered fortunate, but the truth is he always brings something to them. His frenetic approach, his sense of positioning and eye for goal mean he always finds himself in the right place.”

By the way, where is that soothsayer Alan Hansen?

We are the champions:

Originally Posted by Kopite

Be serious, you had two shots in 90 minutes. Enjoy your victory but please don't pretend you were the better team.

And when you won in 2005 you were the better team? Please. Anyway we deserved this to right the wrongs of 2005. FORZA MILAN PER SEMPRE!!

Well done lads.

Originally Posted by Giorgos

Ancelotti said he may leave: http://www.milanmania.com/forums/sho...946#post433946

Carlo Ancelotti believes it was in Milan’s destiny to win the Champions League at the end of “what could have been my last season.”

The Rossoneri outplayed Liverpool and lost in Istanbul, but despite a less crushing display came out 2-1 winners this time around.

“The quality of our football was certainly much better two years ago, but this is football. Our opponents were tough and very tight, so it was difficult for us to play,” said the Coach.

...........................................

The opener was a lucky deflection off Andrea Pirlo’s free kick, while he sprung the offside trap for the second.

“Liverpool do not attack very much and try to take advantage of deadball situations. When Peter Crouch came on they started to put the ball long, but Inzaghi’s goal opened the game up,” added Ancelotti.

“Inzaghi has scored many goals that can be considered fortunate, but the truth is he always brings something to them. His frenetic approach, his sense of positioning and eye for goal mean he always finds himself in the right place.”

what he said in Italian is that the satisfaction of winning the CL is even bigger in a season as difficult as this one, which could have been his last.

I think what he meant is that there was a chance his contract wouldn't have been prolonged and he would have had to leave if the season hadn't changed for the better after January (with Milan in midtable in serie A and out of the CL).
not necessarily that he is considering leaving now.

FORZAAAAAAAAA MILAAAAN ! Finally we got our revenge over the reds after Istanbul !!!
It was not really an entertaining game, but i think that's quite normal for a final. Especially because both teams had in their mind what happened two years earlier.
Milan had difficulties with the pressing of Liverpool in 1st half (Pirlo for example lost the ball quite often) but it was sure that L'pool couldn't hold that pace for more than an hour. And when Pippo scored a lucky goal (or was it on purpose, it could be, because it's Pippo u know ) it was Liverpool's turn to attack. And they can't attack, we saw that in 2nd half. Only Gerrard got one chance, but that's it. Milan never really had problems in 2nd half, although my heart was shaking again after Kuyt's goal.
But anyway, incredibile !!! And Pippo proved again that he's not really a good football player, but a very gifted goal scorer !

wow

Liverpool are strong bones and Rafa plays as an italian team of the 80's
but he got not creativity ahead: they are better than 2 years ago
but this is Inzaghi's justice


yes, now Maldini got 8 finals and Milan 7 Cups with big ears


it's only scaramanzia

GRANDE MILAN

classy words from a classy player
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=310839

i cant sleep im on a massive high!!! so dead proud of Milan tonight!

one of the weaker Milan sides of the last few years won it, sounds like a intro to a film!

Lets all in enjoy tonight and enjoy a summer which we dont have to stress about qualifying!

I cant wait to hear Morattis words tomorrow.. might be something like Liverpool were robbed or something...

Thank you my beloved team. i have justice for 2005 and i dont care how we played. i rembember how we played in 2005 and how football sucks so this is

RETRIBUTION

The best in Europe we are!

Liverpool did well, their both flanks were so alive, gave us difficicult time..
But then, there was Pippo! The dying minutes were too much to watch for our hearts, so relieved when the referee blew the whistle.

We have taken the revenge, yes, for me, it is also about the revenge. Now we can really leave Istanbul behind.

Paolo lifts the cup with big ears to the sky, our holy grail.

Forza Milan!