The Champions of Europe
Posted by V on May 23rd, 2007
The prestigious league had a familiar name etched on its cup and Italy had its second footballing achievement in as many years. AC Milan were by far the best team in the Champions League and were deserved winners of the UEFA Champions League. They outplayed favorites Manchester United in the semis after doing away with Bayern Munich in the Quarterfinals. In the lead up to their final against Liverpool, there was a lot of talk of *that* night in Istanbul and when Kuyt scored in the 90 th minute, it almost seemed like fate was against Senor Berlusconi’s team. But it was nothing more than a consolation goal as the match ended 2-1. This was after the most vilified man in the Milan dressing room put them two ahead after some fortitous and opportunistic finishing. Inzaghi was his usual self. Diving, time wasting, being called offside a million times but fortunately for Milan, also deadly in his finishing. He may have won over a few fans with that display. On the whole, Liverpool were the better(with a very small b) team. Milan lacked the fluency like they did against Man Utd but this was as Ancelotti envisioned. Few teams play with flair against Benitez. He is a master tactician and despite Valdano’s ramblings, he is still one of the best managers in the world.
I got the feeling that Gerrard got carried away with his prematch comments. He should have learnt from Totti’s example that it is very easy to talk a good game. No disrespect to him, He is still the best english talent in the world, a list that includes a certain Man Utd striker.
However, no one would complain that Milan didn’t deserve the CL. They were brilliant in their style and execution, not a trait normally associated with the Italians . It is a good sign that for the second season running we have had attacking teams (more measured in the case of Milan) win the Champions League and although this may be a pipe dream, I hope this continues for the coming seasons. Tactical football may be effective but for a spectator, it is mind numbingly dull.
The European season is nearly over. Spain will go on for a few more weeks before they go into hibernation (or is that aestivation?). After that we may have to live off the crumbs that fall of the transfer table.
If you liked that post, then try these...
Chelsea win the FA Cup!!! by Vi on May 19th, 2007
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Milan thump United and enter final. by Z on May 2nd, 2007
For the second time in three years we are going to have a Liverpool vs Milan final in the UEFA Champions league.
Liverpool through to Final by Z on May 1st, 2007
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May 23rd, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Liverpool missed an Inzaghi kind of striker who would put away atleast one of the few chances he would get.
AC Milan weren’t “by far” the best team in the Champions league. They started playing well only in the second leg of the quarters against Bayern. They lost to AEK Athens and Lille (this one at home) and took two matches to score a goal against Celtic.
Not too great a match though. But in a way reflective of the reason why Liverpool haven’t won the EPL, dominate the match but show nothing at the end. (happened against Man U, Blackburn and Fulham too among others)
May 23rd, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Yeah, i agree. may be the by far was a stretch. But they played well when it mattered and they were the most deserving club.and that performance against man utd was classic. As for the early part of the season, the losses came in the last two games which didn’t count for too much…
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:44 pm
they need a striker. and a lot more quality. now the knives will be out for Benitez. The fact that he has done zilch in the premiership will be highlighted over and over next three months. but Hicks has promised a lot of money!
Cant believe the season is over
Well almost. .
May 26th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Well, i thought mascherano had a blinder of a game, taking out Kaka completely out of equation. Coupled with a off day for Seedorf, Milan had little attacking threat till the first goal which was kind of lucky. The problem with pool was that Gerrard was invisible except the one shot he took, Pennant huffed and puffed without decent balls in, while Zenden was well … Zenden. Without any decent service, you can’t really blame Kuyt who again worked his socks off.
Well this has been the story of Liverpool over the season, if they play Crouch - they play “shit hanging from a stick” stlye - pumping long balls forward. If they play Kuyt, he doesnt get decent service from wings. Bellamy was one player Benitez hoped would bring some pace up front but his form has been patchy. Pool really need a striker and 2 wingers next season. You just need to see that they finished above Arsenal just on goal difference despite Arsenal missing both Henry / Van Persie for nearly half the season.
Now Milan. No team can be deserved winners of Champions League trophy who had reached there in the first place by cheating and bribing referees. Milan should never have been allowed to play in not only this yr’s champ league but also banned from participating in next 3-4 yrs CL’s. Anyway Milan played well only in Semi’s and the second leg at Munich. Before that, they were playing really bad, only carrying through on Kaka’s goal.
May 26th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Beckham’s B-A-C-K … yay!
We want a long biographical post for Beckham. Pliss Pliss…