MILAN GRIND OUT REVENGE; ITALIAN STYLE.

The OACA Spyro Louis Stadium in Athens hosted the second European Final of 2007. The ultimate game of the season, a showcase of the best of European Soccer.

An eagerly anticipated rematch of the 2005 UEFA Champions League final, this time 300 miles (or so) further east. Pundits hoped for a rematch. Fast, exciting, attacking football is de-rigueur.

Liverpool FC v AC Milan, a beautiful stadium packed with fans from Italy, England and Greece and the 1984 European Championship Winner and recently elected UEFA President, Michel Platini the guest of honour. The festivities only marred by genuine ticket holders being turned away due to a lack of seats. Trouble and riot police ensued. A sad but familiar blot on the soccer landscape in Europe.

Milan played in their less than familiar white away strip and Liverpool in their traditional red.

Raphael Benitez opted for an unusual 4 4 1 1 formation leaving his top European goal scorer; Peter Crouch; on the bench. Eyebrows in the UK were raised when the Dutchman, Zenden, got a place in the staring eleven. Reports suggest he hasn't quite recovered from an ankle injury. Gerrard makes a fifth midfielder-cum-second striker behind the hard-working Dutchman, Kuyt.

Milan's formation was the more the more familiar 4 4 2 with Pippo Inzaghi partnering Kaka up front. Gattuso at the heart of the midfield and Pirlo providing the spark. Despite his critics Dida retained his spot. Pretty typical formation and personnel for the former Milan player; now coach; Carlo Ancelotti.

Liverpool began much the brighter. Pennant seemingly having free-reign down the right flank; constantly having the beating of Jankulovska; every significant Liverpool move involved Pennant in the first half. Poor delivery into the box or poor final touch constantly let him down despite his pace and mazy runs.

Milan had little attacking effort in the first half but efforts from Kaka; the gifted Brazilian; and Inzaghi kept the Liverpool defenders honest. A yellow card for Gattuso, Italy's Snarling Dog; did little to hamper his enthusiasm for the game or the tough challenges he is well known for.

For close to 45 minutes Liverpool dominated the play, constantly looking to attack; only hampered by Pennant's lack of a final ball, no target man and Zenden's obvious lack of a cutting edge. Dida remained resolute between the sticks when Liverpool did break Milan down.

A clumsy challenge from Alonso on Kaka, late the first half. A free-kick on the edge of the box; just left-of-centre; let Milan have their chance. The kick skirted the wall and was looking to be wide and safe when the ever-dangerous Inzaghi, glanced the ball past Reina into the net. Calls came for handball but neither the referee nor linesman had a clear view. Inzaghi will know. Instant replay was inconclusive. Liverpool 0 Milan 1.

The second half saw an increasingly desperate Liverpool throw more into the attack only to be beaten away by the staunch Milan defense; they closed ranks and repelled Liverpool in typical Italian style. Pennant was ineffective on the right and Zenden's replacement; Kewell; equally so on the left.

Benitez didn't see fit to bring on Peter Crouch until late in the second half, hardly enough time for the tall striker to make an impression. He immediately provided Liverpool with a different attacking option and trouble for the tiring Italian defenders.

Liverpool's pushing forward left gaps at the back allowing Inzaghi, 33, to beat the offside trap from a beautiful pass by Kaka. Coolly slotting the ball into the far corner past the floundering Reina. Effectively the game was over from that point, notwithstanding the just rewards for Kuyt's constant running and battling for the ball. Too little too late. Benitez harassed the fourth official for the time added on to the game's end but he has no- one but himself to blame. He allowed pace, power and the aerial threat to languish on the bench whilst he fielded an injured winger in a mostly ineffective formation.

German referee, Herbert Fandel, acquitted himself well. The game flowed nicely and he was firm when necessary. His positioning for the first Milan goal was terrible.

This was neither the attacking, high action of the UEFA Cup final, nor the too cautious sparring of the FA Cup Final. It was a close fought tactical battle with both teams trying to play to their strengths. Liverpool had the best of possession and chances but failed to capitalize on their early dominance. Milan weathered the Liverpool pressure and finished superbly. The English representative fell short and now Milan sit just two victories behind Real Madrid amongst the best ever European teams.

Liverpool:-

Reina

Finnan-(Arbeloa 88)

Carragher

Agger

Riise

Pennant

Alonso

Mascherano-(Crouch 78)

Zenden-(Kewell 59)

Gerrard

Kuyt

Subs Not Used:-

Dudek

Hyypia

Gonzalez

Bellamy

Booked:-

Mascherano

Carragher

Goals:-

Kuyt 89

AC Milan:-

Dida

Oddo

Nesta

Maldini

Jankulovski-(Kaladze 79)

Gattuso

Pirlo

Ambrosini

Seedorf-(Favalli 90)

Kaka, Inzaghi-(Gilardino 88)

Subs Not Used:-

Kalac

Cafu

Serginho

Brocchi

Booked:-

Gattuso

Jankulovski

Goals:-

Inzaghi 45, 82.

Att:-

74,000

Referee:-

Herbert Fandel (Germany).