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A group of Liverpool FC supporters camped out in Syntagma square in central Athens had already decided on their hero. "Carraghercules" read one banner in praise of the defender who has played such a powerful role in guiding Liverpool to the verge of a sixth European Champion Clubs' Cup triumph.
LegendFor Liverpool's opponents in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League final, Athens is already a place of legend. It was here in 1994 that Dejan Savićević inspired an AC Milan team including the evergreen Paolo Maldini to their fifth European crown. Thirteen years on, the Rossoneri are chasing their seventh, one they came so close to landing in Istanbul two years ago. Talk of the psychological impact of Liverpool's dramatic victory in 2005 has dominated the build-up to this rematch, yet Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti insists it will have no bearing, saying: "That game is history. This will be different."
'Amazing'Opposite number Rafael Benítez concurred: "The 2005 final was amazing, the best in the history of the competition. I don't think we'll see a game like that; if we do, I'll need a doctor. It's a difficult game for both teams and I don't think we'll see a lot of goals." The Spaniard made a similar prediction in Istanbul and could not have been more wrong. In an epic contest, Liverpool recovered from 3-0 down at half-time to prevail on penalties. Seven of the Milan side and six from the Liverpool team that started two seasons ago are likely to be involved again from kick-off. The clubs know each other well, but neither coach will be tailoring his style to suit the opposition, even in Benítez's case when it comes to stopping the tournament's leading scorer. "We know Kaká is a very good player, but our system is not to mark him individually. We mark zonally and try to control the play, the ball and the space."
Zenden doubtBoudewijn Zenden is Benítez's main injury concern, though the Dutch international trained at the OACA Spyro Louis Stadium on Tuesday and should be fit. Harry Kewell is another option while up front Benítez may deploy talisman Steven Gerrard in behind Dirk Kuyt. For Milan, Maldini is expected to battle through the pain of a knee problem to make his record-equalling eighth final appearance and in attack Ancelotti will choose between Filippo Inzaghi, who trained alongside Kaká and Clarence Seedorf on Tuesday, and Alberto Gilardino.
'Confident'Both coaches appeared calm as they faced the press for the last time before kick-off. At last the talk is over; it will simply come down to who performs best on the night. Benítez urged Liverpool to continue in the same vein that brought victories against FC Barcelona and Chelsea FC en route to the final. "We're here because we've been doing the right things. We can be confident and calm. We've done the job, now we must try to enjoy it. If you do the right things and win then perfect, but don't leave the pitch with regrets." For Ancelotti, the match represents the end of a long journey that began in testing circumstances. When Milan lost here to AEK Athens FC in the group stage an eleventh final appearance seemed unlikely, but they proved any doubters wrong. "What has emerged is great harmony with the team and with the club," Ancelotti said. "That's the main reason we reached the final. We've just faced problems and solved them. That gives us strength and motivation. We're very strong at the moment."
LegendFor Liverpool's opponents in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League final, Athens is already a place of legend. It was here in 1994 that Dejan Savićević inspired an AC Milan team including the evergreen Paolo Maldini to their fifth European crown. Thirteen years on, the Rossoneri are chasing their seventh, one they came so close to landing in Istanbul two years ago. Talk of the psychological impact of Liverpool's dramatic victory in 2005 has dominated the build-up to this rematch, yet Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti insists it will have no bearing, saying: "That game is history. This will be different."
'Amazing'Opposite number Rafael Benítez concurred: "The 2005 final was amazing, the best in the history of the competition. I don't think we'll see a game like that; if we do, I'll need a doctor. It's a difficult game for both teams and I don't think we'll see a lot of goals." The Spaniard made a similar prediction in Istanbul and could not have been more wrong. In an epic contest, Liverpool recovered from 3-0 down at half-time to prevail on penalties. Seven of the Milan side and six from the Liverpool team that started two seasons ago are likely to be involved again from kick-off. The clubs know each other well, but neither coach will be tailoring his style to suit the opposition, even in Benítez's case when it comes to stopping the tournament's leading scorer. "We know Kaká is a very good player, but our system is not to mark him individually. We mark zonally and try to control the play, the ball and the space."
Zenden doubtBoudewijn Zenden is Benítez's main injury concern, though the Dutch international trained at the OACA Spyro Louis Stadium on Tuesday and should be fit. Harry Kewell is another option while up front Benítez may deploy talisman Steven Gerrard in behind Dirk Kuyt. For Milan, Maldini is expected to battle through the pain of a knee problem to make his record-equalling eighth final appearance and in attack Ancelotti will choose between Filippo Inzaghi, who trained alongside Kaká and Clarence Seedorf on Tuesday, and Alberto Gilardino.
'Confident'Both coaches appeared calm as they faced the press for the last time before kick-off. At last the talk is over; it will simply come down to who performs best on the night. Benítez urged Liverpool to continue in the same vein that brought victories against FC Barcelona and Chelsea FC en route to the final. "We're here because we've been doing the right things. We can be confident and calm. We've done the job, now we must try to enjoy it. If you do the right things and win then perfect, but don't leave the pitch with regrets." For Ancelotti, the match represents the end of a long journey that began in testing circumstances. When Milan lost here to AEK Athens FC in the group stage an eleventh final appearance seemed unlikely, but they proved any doubters wrong. "What has emerged is great harmony with the team and with the club," Ancelotti said. "That's the main reason we reached the final. We've just faced problems and solved them. That gives us strength and motivation. We're very strong at the moment."
Probable teams
Milan: Dida; Massimo Oddo, Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini, Marek Jankulovski; Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini; Kaká, Clarence Seedorf; Filippo Inzaghi.
Liverpool: Pepe Reina; Steve Finnan, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, John Arne Riise; Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso, Boudewijn Zenden/Harry Kewell; Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt.
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