Wednesday the eyes of the world descend on the Olympic Stadium in Athens for the 2007 UEFA Champions League final between five-time winners Liverpool and six-time winners AC Milan. (ESPN 2, 2 p.m. EDT)
We've already done some big previews for the game already, mostly focusing on the history of the aaaaaaaaaaaamazing 2005 Final from Istanbul. If this is the first game of the competition you've decided to watch, hopefully this improves your time in front of the television.
* We've looked at the players on the field from 2005. [Revenge is a dish...]
* We looked at what the 2005 final meant to me personally. Sorry to indulge. [A Brief History of Time]
For a couple opening thoughts, expect this to be a defensive dominated game.
Both sides should play it close to the vest, with a lot of cat-and-mouse tactics. The best thing to could happen -- from a viewing standpoint -- is for an early game to open things up, otherwise I fear this could be a long, long day of 0-0. With so much at stake -- this is both team's only chance at 2006/07 silverware -- conservatism might rule the day, the antithesis of the American sporting ethos.
Since here in the States I've actually seen ESPN promo the game, they might get a few casual viewers. As amazing as the 2005 final was, this game might not attract all the converts that glorious day did. And if some how the 2007 version surpasses the 2005 version in amazingness, then well, expect heads to explode.
For a lack of creativity, let's break this one down in typical American fashion:
Road to Final -- Liverpool: Beat Maccabi Haifa 3-2 in third qualifying round; Finished first in Group C; Beat holds Barcelona 2-2 (away goal); Beat PSV Eindhoven 4-0; Beat Chelsea in penalty kicks.
AC Milan: Beat Crvena Zvezda 3-1 in third qualifying round; Finished first in Group G; Beat Celtic 1-0 a.e.t; Beat Bayern Munich 4-2; Beat Manchester United 5-3; Edge: Even. (If you're unsure what this crap means, brush up on it here. And the LA Times offers some insight, too.)
Liverpool strikers vs. AC Milan backs-- Liverpool boss Rafa Benetiz has some good choices at his disposal -- Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt, Craig Bellamy and Robbie Fowler -- at his disposal, but no great choices. Lining up against the class of Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini (if healthy) or Kakha Kaladze whichever pair gets on the pitch will need their whole bag of tricks working. Liverpool might only employ a single striker, which should dull its offensive gusto.
It's hard to imagine any of these guys can create enough space for themselves without proper service. Bellamy and Kuyt might be able to catch the Milan defense on a wrong foot and catch a long pass from midfield and make something happen. Crouch might be able to get his big, dumb head on a corner or set play. Advantage: Milan, slight.
AC Milan strikers vs. Liverpool backs -- Throughout the latter stages of the Champions League AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti has used one striker, with Kaká in an advanced role behind the forward. Neither Filippo Inzaghi or Alberto Gilardino are out-and-out terrorizers, but both are savvy enough, living on that offside line and could catch either Jamie Carragher or Daniel 'Arm Tat' Agger off guard.
The Milan forward(s) might not do anything all game, but might that one split second of genius necessary for the Rossoneri, otherwise the Liverpool duo should control the box...aside from Kaká's rampaging runs. And if you're a Liverpool fan tell me you haven't had nightmares of the Brasilian snaking into the penalty box and being chopped down by a hackneyed tackle from a man in a Red Shirt. Advantage: Liverpool, but methinks Milan might notch a sneaky goal from Inzaghi, a poacher's poacher.
Pepe Reina vs. Dida -- One's going bald, the other shaves lines in his hair like it was 1991. What does that mean? Both are prone to the occasional blunder, but can also step up with the yuge save. Reina is an accomplished penalty kick stopper, Dida, well, isn't. Advantage: 52 percent to Reina; 47 percent to Dida; 1 percent to luck.
Liverpool flanks vs. AC Milan flanks -- No, this isn't a military campaign from the Civil War. By flank (steak) we're taking outside players from both teams. For Liverpool that's probably Steve Finnan and John Arne Riise from the backline. AC Milan, likely Massimo Oddo or Cafu and maybe Maldini if he's healthy. Finnan is probably one of my favorite non-household name players, the Republic of Ireland man can run all day. Riise is, in a way, Cherry Darlin' from 'Planet Terror' as in they both have canons for legs. For Milan, Oddo is pretty solid and the ex-Lazio man can create damage if given the space. Cafu is Brasilian. And old. But do you doubt him? Advantage: Liverpool.
Liverpool midfield vs. AC Milan midfield -- All things considered, the only definite to start in the Liverpool midfield is the captain, Steven Gerrard and probably Javier Mascherano. Other options include Riise, Kewell, Xabi Alonso and Jermaine Pennant. On the other side, the Milanista quartet of Kaká , Genaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf oozes class. All four of the Milan players are capable on both halves of the field.
It would seem Liverpool's objective will be to fan the ball out to the wings -- Riise, Steve Finnan, etc. Meanwhile, Milan will probably try to string together a lot of 1-touch stuff in the middle of the pitch. Advantage: Milan, by a bit.
Rafa Benetiz vs. Carlo Ancelotti -- Naturally both are accomplished and have each guided their respective teams to the Champions League crown already. The chess match between the two men figures to be the game's biggest subplot, as in will either manager loosen the reigns and allow for an open, attacking game. Benetiz seems to have more to gain winning to the rematch since in 2005, a good bulk of the players wearing Liverpool shirts in Istanbul had been brought in by Gerard Houllier. There's no doubt the Spaniard wants to win a title with a team he built. Will that little bit of self doubt force his hand and have Liverpool come out of its shell? Advantage: Stalemate.
X-factors
* The Greek Police, whom have threatened to strike during the final. The last thing this name needs is a blight like crowd violence, but considering a riot at a volleyball game caused Greece to shutdown its entire sports system, well, I'm not optimistic. And jeez, now the Police have decided to use Paintball guns. Yeah, that'll end well.
* History. How much will the sting of blowing a 3-0 lead push the Milanistas come Wednesday? By the same token, even if they trail, can you count Liverpool out?
Final talking points:
1. Is all this talk of Harry Kewell playing actual fact? In 2005 he disappeared quicker than Oceanic Flight 815. Yes, he's been Oceania player of the year a few times, but that's like saying you're the best basketball player in Canada.
2. Say what you will about American presidents, but we'd never elect a man to run the country that stole a college mascot and turned him into a media darling like Silvio Berlusconi did with Gabibbo. (Berlusconi is the chairman of AC Milan and an Italian media mogul.)
3. Will a win on Wednesday convince Andriy Shevchenko to return to the warm, corrupt bosom of Italian calcio?
4. Will the powers that be at ESPN drop a random broadcaster into the booth with Derek Rae and Tommy Smyth like they did in 2006 with Marcelo Balboa. (The thing about this is...)
5. 'You'll Never Walk Alone' ... just in fact how much power does it carry? (Watch this version at your own risk. You can't unwatch it.)
6. Will Kaka score? He leads the competition with 10 goals. (Should he do something amazing and they dare to show it on ESPN, I can't wait for the anchors muff his name reading off the prompters.) Also of note Inzaghi has netted 37 times in Europe since 1998.
7. Is Milan really all that good? By the same token, is Liverpool?
8. Is it right to call it the 'Champions League Final', when neither team is champion of their particular league this season and Milan had points docked for its role in that whole Serie A match-fixing scandal? (Personally, I have no problem with it.)
9. What, if any impact, will Liverpool's new American co-owners George Gillett and Tom 'Rich Texan' Hicks have? Probably nothing, but worth mentioning.
10. Colours. No, not the Donovan song. For what it's worth Liverpool wears its classic red, Milan dons white.
(That just about covers it all, right? When you start talking colors, that's it!)
Final guess: If this somehow gets to penalty kicks, pencil Liverpool's name on the big trophy with the ears. That said, Milan did lay a critical beatdown on Manchester United, which was a much better team in the English Premier League. With Gerrard on the field, you can never count Liverpool out, but the King of the Scousers hasn't been as inspirational this season as he has in the past -- though his moment could come. Kaká is the tournament's best player and there's no reason to think that won't continue in Athens. Liverpool has had its moments this season, but something seems to be missing. Milan gains some atonement for 2005. My guess: Liverpool 0, AC Milan 2
We've already done some big previews for the game already, mostly focusing on the history of the aaaaaaaaaaaamazing 2005 Final from Istanbul. If this is the first game of the competition you've decided to watch, hopefully this improves your time in front of the television.
* We've looked at the players on the field from 2005. [Revenge is a dish...]
* We looked at what the 2005 final meant to me personally. Sorry to indulge. [A Brief History of Time]
For a couple opening thoughts, expect this to be a defensive dominated game.
Both sides should play it close to the vest, with a lot of cat-and-mouse tactics. The best thing to could happen -- from a viewing standpoint -- is for an early game to open things up, otherwise I fear this could be a long, long day of 0-0. With so much at stake -- this is both team's only chance at 2006/07 silverware -- conservatism might rule the day, the antithesis of the American sporting ethos.
Since here in the States I've actually seen ESPN promo the game, they might get a few casual viewers. As amazing as the 2005 final was, this game might not attract all the converts that glorious day did. And if some how the 2007 version surpasses the 2005 version in amazingness, then well, expect heads to explode.
For a lack of creativity, let's break this one down in typical American fashion:
Road to Final -- Liverpool: Beat Maccabi Haifa 3-2 in third qualifying round; Finished first in Group C; Beat holds Barcelona 2-2 (away goal); Beat PSV Eindhoven 4-0; Beat Chelsea in penalty kicks.
AC Milan: Beat Crvena Zvezda 3-1 in third qualifying round; Finished first in Group G; Beat Celtic 1-0 a.e.t; Beat Bayern Munich 4-2; Beat Manchester United 5-3; Edge: Even. (If you're unsure what this crap means, brush up on it here. And the LA Times offers some insight, too.)
Liverpool strikers vs. AC Milan backs-- Liverpool boss Rafa Benetiz has some good choices at his disposal -- Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt, Craig Bellamy and Robbie Fowler -- at his disposal, but no great choices. Lining up against the class of Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini (if healthy) or Kakha Kaladze whichever pair gets on the pitch will need their whole bag of tricks working. Liverpool might only employ a single striker, which should dull its offensive gusto.
It's hard to imagine any of these guys can create enough space for themselves without proper service. Bellamy and Kuyt might be able to catch the Milan defense on a wrong foot and catch a long pass from midfield and make something happen. Crouch might be able to get his big, dumb head on a corner or set play. Advantage: Milan, slight.
AC Milan strikers vs. Liverpool backs -- Throughout the latter stages of the Champions League AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti has used one striker, with Kaká in an advanced role behind the forward. Neither Filippo Inzaghi or Alberto Gilardino are out-and-out terrorizers, but both are savvy enough, living on that offside line and could catch either Jamie Carragher or Daniel 'Arm Tat' Agger off guard.
The Milan forward(s) might not do anything all game, but might that one split second of genius necessary for the Rossoneri, otherwise the Liverpool duo should control the box...aside from Kaká's rampaging runs. And if you're a Liverpool fan tell me you haven't had nightmares of the Brasilian snaking into the penalty box and being chopped down by a hackneyed tackle from a man in a Red Shirt. Advantage: Liverpool, but methinks Milan might notch a sneaky goal from Inzaghi, a poacher's poacher.
Pepe Reina vs. Dida -- One's going bald, the other shaves lines in his hair like it was 1991. What does that mean? Both are prone to the occasional blunder, but can also step up with the yuge save. Reina is an accomplished penalty kick stopper, Dida, well, isn't. Advantage: 52 percent to Reina; 47 percent to Dida; 1 percent to luck.
Liverpool flanks vs. AC Milan flanks -- No, this isn't a military campaign from the Civil War. By flank (steak) we're taking outside players from both teams. For Liverpool that's probably Steve Finnan and John Arne Riise from the backline. AC Milan, likely Massimo Oddo or Cafu and maybe Maldini if he's healthy. Finnan is probably one of my favorite non-household name players, the Republic of Ireland man can run all day. Riise is, in a way, Cherry Darlin' from 'Planet Terror' as in they both have canons for legs. For Milan, Oddo is pretty solid and the ex-Lazio man can create damage if given the space. Cafu is Brasilian. And old. But do you doubt him? Advantage: Liverpool.
Liverpool midfield vs. AC Milan midfield -- All things considered, the only definite to start in the Liverpool midfield is the captain, Steven Gerrard and probably Javier Mascherano. Other options include Riise, Kewell, Xabi Alonso and Jermaine Pennant. On the other side, the Milanista quartet of Kaká , Genaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf oozes class. All four of the Milan players are capable on both halves of the field.
It would seem Liverpool's objective will be to fan the ball out to the wings -- Riise, Steve Finnan, etc. Meanwhile, Milan will probably try to string together a lot of 1-touch stuff in the middle of the pitch. Advantage: Milan, by a bit.
Rafa Benetiz vs. Carlo Ancelotti -- Naturally both are accomplished and have each guided their respective teams to the Champions League crown already. The chess match between the two men figures to be the game's biggest subplot, as in will either manager loosen the reigns and allow for an open, attacking game. Benetiz seems to have more to gain winning to the rematch since in 2005, a good bulk of the players wearing Liverpool shirts in Istanbul had been brought in by Gerard Houllier. There's no doubt the Spaniard wants to win a title with a team he built. Will that little bit of self doubt force his hand and have Liverpool come out of its shell? Advantage: Stalemate.
X-factors
* The Greek Police, whom have threatened to strike during the final. The last thing this name needs is a blight like crowd violence, but considering a riot at a volleyball game caused Greece to shutdown its entire sports system, well, I'm not optimistic. And jeez, now the Police have decided to use Paintball guns. Yeah, that'll end well.
* History. How much will the sting of blowing a 3-0 lead push the Milanistas come Wednesday? By the same token, even if they trail, can you count Liverpool out?
Final talking points:
1. Is all this talk of Harry Kewell playing actual fact? In 2005 he disappeared quicker than Oceanic Flight 815. Yes, he's been Oceania player of the year a few times, but that's like saying you're the best basketball player in Canada.
2. Say what you will about American presidents, but we'd never elect a man to run the country that stole a college mascot and turned him into a media darling like Silvio Berlusconi did with Gabibbo. (Berlusconi is the chairman of AC Milan and an Italian media mogul.)
3. Will a win on Wednesday convince Andriy Shevchenko to return to the warm, corrupt bosom of Italian calcio?
4. Will the powers that be at ESPN drop a random broadcaster into the booth with Derek Rae and Tommy Smyth like they did in 2006 with Marcelo Balboa. (The thing about this is...)
5. 'You'll Never Walk Alone' ... just in fact how much power does it carry? (Watch this version at your own risk. You can't unwatch it.)
6. Will Kaka score? He leads the competition with 10 goals. (Should he do something amazing and they dare to show it on ESPN, I can't wait for the anchors muff his name reading off the prompters.) Also of note Inzaghi has netted 37 times in Europe since 1998.
7. Is Milan really all that good? By the same token, is Liverpool?
8. Is it right to call it the 'Champions League Final', when neither team is champion of their particular league this season and Milan had points docked for its role in that whole Serie A match-fixing scandal? (Personally, I have no problem with it.)
9. What, if any impact, will Liverpool's new American co-owners George Gillett and Tom 'Rich Texan' Hicks have? Probably nothing, but worth mentioning.
10. Colours. No, not the Donovan song. For what it's worth Liverpool wears its classic red, Milan dons white.
(That just about covers it all, right? When you start talking colors, that's it!)
Final guess: If this somehow gets to penalty kicks, pencil Liverpool's name on the big trophy with the ears. That said, Milan did lay a critical beatdown on Manchester United, which was a much better team in the English Premier League. With Gerrard on the field, you can never count Liverpool out, but the King of the Scousers hasn't been as inspirational this season as he has in the past -- though his moment could come. Kaká is the tournament's best player and there's no reason to think that won't continue in Athens. Liverpool has had its moments this season, but something seems to be missing. Milan gains some atonement for 2005. My guess: Liverpool 0, AC Milan 2
Labels: champions league, Soccer
err... the previous manager of Liverpool before Rafa was Gerard Houllier, not Ranieri
So, Harry Kewell=Steve Nash?
Thanks for catching that mistake. My bad.
Dida is actually known as a penalty stopper. He had saved a few against Juve in '03 and also saved the penalty against alonso in the '05 final.
Bah, soccer? I deride your blogging abilites.
I will study the rest of your post soon. But first I must attempt to wrap my mind around that whole "warm, corrupt bosom" thing.
Kewell = Nash? Nah. Kewell = The kid from Third Rock from the Sun.
You were close on the scoreline - 4 minutes out.
Now, thats what I call a real post!