‘Inzaghi double flaws Liverpool Athens hopes’
Liverpool 1 – 2 AC Milan – 23rd May 2007
Two goals from Pippo Inzaghi helped AC Milan gain revenge for their dramatic 2005 Champions League Final defeat against Liverpool and helped the Italian club claim their seventh European Cup.
Despite large scale domination throughout the game Liverpool were crushed by a double whammy from the top scoring Italian in European Competition of all time, and that despite a late goal from Dirk Kuyt which was the least they deserved.
Milan’s victory was much consolation for a disappointing season which saw them stripped of their Championship last August, deducted points for their part in the Italian match fixing scandal and saw their city rivals Inter claim the domestic title.
Billed a rematch of the 2005 final in Istanbul, the game was a very different one and for the first half Liverpool dominated. Pennant had a well struck shot saved by Dida and Alonso hit an effort just wide of the Brazilians goal as Milan failed to deal with Liverpool’s system allowing Steven Gerrard to play in a more advanced role than usual.
Brazilian star Kaka showed some neat touches but was mainly on the periphery as Milan’s best efforts came from a Pirlo free kick. Kaka did have one shot in the early encounters but his effort was easily saved by Reina.
Heading comfortably towards half time Liverpool paid a price for their recklessness. Alonso and Carragher combined to give away a needless free kick on the edge of the area. Pirlo’s free kick went straight through the wall and was heading to the goalkeeper before inadvertently being directed by Inzaghi, a touch which gave Reina no chance.
In the second period of the game Liverpool came out with attacking intent but failed to exert the same domination which they had done in the first half of the game and struggled to create any real chances. Wingers Kewell and Pennant looked bubbly but with only Kuyt in the box Benitez sent on Crouch to begin winning to aerial balls but wise to their game plan Milan cut out the supply to the wide men and began to dominate.
Liverpool’s way back into the game was gifted to them by Gatusso whose sloppy pass let in Gerrard. The Liverpool skipper’s golden touch evaded him however as his shot was hit weakly and was easily saved. As the Reds pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Kaka began to dominate and it was some trademark brilliance from him which allowed Inzaghi to effectively win the game with a smart finish.
A beautifully timed ball from the Brazilian superstar gave the Italian hit man time and space in which he was able to manoeuvre round Reina and slot the ball into empty net queuing mass celebrations from the Milan dugout.
With nothing to lose and Milan happy to sit back Liverpool were afforded a way back into the game when some penalty area ping-pong allowed Kuyt to head into the back of the net to give his team some hope.
Moments later a 25 yard shot from Peter Crouch was tipped over the bar by Dida but this year there wasn’t to be a last hurrah for Liverpool as they saw their hopes fade after three minutes of added on time, leaving skipper Paulo Maldini to pick up his fifth European Cup medal.
Milan’s victory was much consolation for a disappointing season which saw them stripped of their Championship last August, deducted points for their part in the Italian match fixing scandal and saw their city rivals Inter claim the domestic title.
Billed a rematch of the 2005 final in Istanbul, the game was a very different one and for the first half Liverpool dominated. Pennant had a well struck shot saved by Dida and Alonso hit an effort just wide of the Brazilians goal as Milan failed to deal with Liverpool’s system allowing Steven Gerrard to play in a more advanced role than usual.
Brazilian star Kaka showed some neat touches but was mainly on the periphery as Milan’s best efforts came from a Pirlo free kick. Kaka did have one shot in the early encounters but his effort was easily saved by Reina.
Heading comfortably towards half time Liverpool paid a price for their recklessness. Alonso and Carragher combined to give away a needless free kick on the edge of the area. Pirlo’s free kick went straight through the wall and was heading to the goalkeeper before inadvertently being directed by Inzaghi, a touch which gave Reina no chance.
In the second period of the game Liverpool came out with attacking intent but failed to exert the same domination which they had done in the first half of the game and struggled to create any real chances. Wingers Kewell and Pennant looked bubbly but with only Kuyt in the box Benitez sent on Crouch to begin winning to aerial balls but wise to their game plan Milan cut out the supply to the wide men and began to dominate.
Liverpool’s way back into the game was gifted to them by Gatusso whose sloppy pass let in Gerrard. The Liverpool skipper’s golden touch evaded him however as his shot was hit weakly and was easily saved. As the Reds pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Kaka began to dominate and it was some trademark brilliance from him which allowed Inzaghi to effectively win the game with a smart finish.
A beautifully timed ball from the Brazilian superstar gave the Italian hit man time and space in which he was able to manoeuvre round Reina and slot the ball into empty net queuing mass celebrations from the Milan dugout.
With nothing to lose and Milan happy to sit back Liverpool were afforded a way back into the game when some penalty area ping-pong allowed Kuyt to head into the back of the net to give his team some hope.
Moments later a 25 yard shot from Peter Crouch was tipped over the bar by Dida but this year there wasn’t to be a last hurrah for Liverpool as they saw their hopes fade after three minutes of added on time, leaving skipper Paulo Maldini to pick up his fifth European Cup medal.