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AC Milan win Champions League Final

Nigel TandyMay 24, 2007

No comeback victory for Liverpool this time

https://p.dw.com/p/AEOc
The Champions League trophy in AthensImage: dpa

AC Milan have won the 2007 Champions League after beating Liverpool by two goals to one, thanks to two goals by Filippo Inzaghi.

Usually sequels never live up to the original. But with so much at stake, and too much to lose Liverpool wanted to prove a point --- that they deserved to win two years ago in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

But AC Milan, who at the beginning of the season didn’t know if were going to be playing in Europe at all after being implicated in a match fixing scandal, were out for revenge against the English side.

Two years ago, Liverpool's victory was all about an incredible comeback and will go down as probably the greatest European Cup final of all-time.

But Wednesday’s match didn’t live up to those expectations....

Liverpool's main priority was to suffocate the game and stifle AC Milan's midfield and frustrate Kaka in particular as he is probably the best midfielder in the world.

Filippo Inzaghi goal gave AC Milan the lead on the stroke of half-time -- against the run of play – by deflecting a freekick from Andrea Pirlo.

The goal in the 45th minute was against the run of play after a confident Liverpool enjoyed most of the possession and created more chances with Steven Gerrard hungry for goal scoring opportunities.

Liverpool had the first shot on goal in the 10th minute but Jeramine Penant’s effort was saved by Dida.

Conceding the goal just before half time damaged Liverpool‘s spirit. The spark which they had showed in the first half was gone.

Fillipo Inzaghi put the issue beyount doubt when a pass from Kaka gave him acres of space in front of the Liverpool goal. Inzaghi then cooly rounded Reina to slide the goal into the Liverpool net.

Would there be a comeback for Liverpool this time around?

Never right off Liverpool as Milan will surely know. Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt pulled one back two minutes from time with a header which flashed past goalkeeper Dida.

But in the end it was Milan's fans celebrating loudest after seeing their 38-year-old captain Paulo Maldini lift the trophy.