Benitez: We Lost To A Good Team

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez praised Milan after two goals from Pippo Inzaghi saw them win the Champions League with a 2-1 win over the Reds.


Benitez was angry that the entire three minutes stoppage time at the end of the game were not played, but said: "It's not a reason, we lost against a good team with top-class players.

"The first half we played really well but conceded a goal, a deflection, through bad luck.

"Then we were pushing and pushing and you leave a space and they have quality and it was the difference.

"We were trying to keep the ball and press high but you need to take your chances."

Gerrard admits: Difficult To Take

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admitted he was finding defeat to Milan hard to take after his side were beaten 2-1 in Athens.

Gerrard was celebrating two years ago when Liverpool won the final, and told Sky Sports: "It's the complete opposite. It's difficult to take but that's football.

"You've got to take it on the chin, move on and try to pick yourself up but at the moment it's heartbreaking.

"I thought we started well, we were in control just how we like to be but when you do that you've got to score. They got the first goal, with a bit of luck, but it was a big lift for them.

"We gave everything but it wasn't to be tonight."

Milan Get Their Revenge

AC Milan have avenged their defeat in the Champions League final two years ago by defeating their victors that night Liverpool 2-1 in Athens thanks to a brace from Filippo Inzaghi.

Two years ago Milan outclassed their opponents to an embarrassing extent in a one-sided first half, but in contrast Liverpool were the better team in the opening 45 minutes evening although trailed at the break.

The goal came in the final minute of the first half in fortunate circumstances as Andrea Pirlo's free-kick deflected off the shoulder of Inzaghi and past the wrong-footed Jose Reina.

In the second half Liverpool hoped for a repeat of the 2005 heroics that saw them comeback from the death, but despite plenty of possession they could not find the killer ball and as they got desperate Inzaghi struck again by rounding Reina after a clever through ball from Kaka.

Liverpool responded well as they attempted mission impossible for a second time, but they did nonetheless have time to pull a goal back through Dirk Kuyt. The three minutes of stoppage time passed by without a scare for Milan, who are crowned champions of Europe for an amazing seventh time.

Rafael Benitez's side will look back on the first half when they failed to capitalise on their dominance before the break, even though they failed to muster many clear cut chances. However, they did offer plenty of attacking threat as Jermaine Pennant caused Milan's left-back Marek Jankulovski all sorts of problems, while Steven Gerrard looked capable of producing a moment of magic that has become his trademark.

Gerrard was playing in a free-role behind Kuyt as a lone striker and it was telling that at times Liverpool didn't have enough bodies in Milan's box.

It proved costly as Milan struck just before the break with what was the first time they threatened Reina's goal in the first half. Pirlo's 45th minute free-kick was not going to threaten the Spanish goalkeeper, but it struck the side of Inzaghi's body and the striker, who had not previously had a look all match, got his name on the scoresheet.

Benitez elected not to make any changes at the break as he probably felt the chance would come and it arguably did when Gerrard forced his way through, but his sidefooted shot was predictable and gathered by Dida with Kuyt lurking.

Liverpool then survived a spell when their defence fell apart as confusion from Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher threatened to gift Milan a second goal, but the Premiership outfit were lucky that the linesman flagged for offside for Inzaghi even though it was Kaka that race on to the ball and the Brazilian was definately onside.

Liverpool introduced Harry Kewell and Peter Crouch, but Milan's ageing defence stood firm despite injuries to Nesta and nervous moments from legendary Paulo Maldini.

With ten minutes left on the clock Kaka slotted the ball through the defence when many felt he was about to shoot and Inzaghi calmly rounded Reina before slotting the ball into the net and sparked celebrations that suggested Milan felt they had won the trophy.

There was still time for drama as Liverpool won a number of corners and in the 89th minute Kuyt headed into the net, although the Dutchman appeared to be offside as he did so. However, it did not matter as the final seconds ticked away before the German official blew time on the 2007 Champions League final.

While many feel AC Milan should not be in the Champions League this season, and for a time they were not, but their cast of veteran superstars have another medal to hang around their decorated necks.

Tavano Will Return To Valencia

Italian striker Francesco Tavano will return to Valencia after a 6-month stint at AS Roma.

Former Empoli forward Francesco Tavano moved to AS Roma on a loan-deal from Valencia and, despite the positive expectations, has failed to shine, hindered once again, by lack of opportunities.

AS Roma will not spend 10 million euros and take over the ownership of the player, who is now packing his bags and preparing to return to Spain.

However, Tavano seems unlikely to continue serving Valencia, and several Italian clubs such as Palermo, Udinese and Livorno, have shown interest in signing Tavano.

They have already contacted the player’s agent with a view towards beginning transfer negotiations with Valencia.

There is a particularly strong demand from Palermo for netting a new forward, as Di Michele is about to receive a harsh ban for his involvement in football betting. The Rosaneri consider Tavano as a perfect replacement.

Of course, the struggle for power at the Mestalla will play a part, with Carboni keen to keep him; Flores not so much!

Juve Agree Iaquinta Deal

Juventus have reached an agreement to sign Vincenzo Iaquinta from Udinese, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The paper claims that the player will sign a five-year contract and that the deal will cost Juve £5.7 million, plus the co-ownership of Michele Paolucci, currently on loan at Ascoli.

Iaquinta’s contract at Udinese expires in 2010, but he nonetheless looks to be leaving The Friuli.


Juve boss Didier Deschamps has apparently accepted the transfer of the player who has scored 14 Serie A goals this season.

The Bianconeri have already sealed the transfers of Zdenek Grygera (Ajax), Hasan Salihamidzic (Bayern Munich) and Domenico Criscito (Genoa).

The club has also been linked with Mohamed Sissoko of Liverpool and AS Roma’s Philippe Mexes.

Ronaldo On Hair Style, Diet And Inter

On Inter president Morratti’s dismay regarding his transfer to AC Milan, Ronaldo said: "Life is made up of choices. Inter chose to sell me and they can’t complain about me having joined AC Milan."

Ronaldo then carried on discussing his favourite club, his looks, diet and also released a comment on the calciopoli scandal from last year.

"Flamengo are my favourite team because they wear black and red striped jerseys," he said.

"Milan president Berlusconi advised me to grow my hair. He’s a TV magnate and he knows a lot about aesthetics. Maybe in the future I’d change my haircut."

On his diet, he said: "When I came here I promised to reduce my daily pasta consumption.

"Once when I was having dinner at Berlusconi’s house, Galliani persuaded me to say no to a third pasta dish."

Finally, on the Calciopoli, he believes that Inter have been hard done by in the past: "I think Calciopoli was useful to rub the dirt from football.

"The absence of Juventus this year has been felt, however it was pretty obvious that years ago Inter were mistreated."

Robben Plans Chelsea Stay

Chelsea winger Arjen Robben has responded to reports linking him to Bayern Munich by stating his intention to remain at the club.


The Dutchman’s season has been spoiled by injury, while there are also reports that his relationship with manager Jose Mourinho has been strained.

Rumours on Sunday suggested that Bayern could use the money from selling Owen Hargreaves to Manchester United in a bid to sign Robben.

But Robben told The Sun: "I was very happy with the manager's comments that he values me and it proves I just want to do my best for the team.

"You work your socks off to make a contribution and, when he says good things, it's nice to be here.

"I've always said I wanted to stay, so we will see. I will be here next season, that's for sure.

"I know for myself what I can do, but I need to get into my rhythm.

"I've got a big break now - six-and-a-half weeks off - so I'll come back fresh. I want to show again what I did in my first season.

"It feels magnificent to win the FA Cup. Mourinho gave me a big hug at the end. It feels very good."

Watch Out For Crouch, Warns Kaka

The Brazilian midfielder believes that the English striker will be Liverpool's main threat on Wednesday night, as the Rossoneri try to avenge the 2005 final.

Kaka commented optimistically with Milan Channel about the Champions League final in program on Wednesday night against Liverpool.

"The training went well, we have spoken about things which will be important for the match. Even today we saw that the team is in form.”

The most dangerous opponent for Kaka is Crouch.

"We are calm and serene: we know our strength and what we can do. Crouch is a dangerous player on the high balls, when he is in the penalty area, he is always an opportunist. We must be careful if he plays."

Kaka hailed in particular Coach Carlo Ancelotti for arriving this far.

"We have arrived in the final, we have the opportunity to win it: it's beautiful. Ancelotti is special, he knows how to manage the group, he knows how to manage the persons, this is very important in football.

"Milan is a team of many champions, many great players and must have such a good coach," concluded Kaka.

Zambrotta Close To Milan Move?

The Italian winger was seen in Milan on Wednesday where he stayed for an entire day, thus sparking the rumours that the Rossoneri are on the verge of signing him.

Gianluca Zambrotta's first year with Barcelona has been far from impressive, as the Italian world cup winning midfielder failed to show all the good things done over the years with the Azzurri and Juventus, and found it more difficult than expected to acclimate himself with the Catalan club.

The transfer speculation is that Zambrotta now wants to return to Italy at the end of the season and apparently Milan are on top of his list.

The former Juve player has made it no secret that he does not want to go back to the Bianconeri, where he is considered as a traitor there for abandoning ship soon after the Calciopoli scandal erupted.

Zambrotta also admitted in the past that his favourite team has always been Milan since he was a kid, so his day spent in Milan was a further confirmation that something is boiling.

For the time being both sides are not saying anything, but there were no denials, therefore the 30-year-old winger could soon make a return to the Italy.

New Nani Deal Increases Buy-Out Clause

Manchester United will have to rethink their plan to approach Sporting Lisbon about Nani and Atlético de Madrid have been priced out of the market after the player penned a new contract with the Portuguese club.

Weeks of speculation have surrounded the gifted 20-year-old with both the Red Devils and los Colchoneros said to be monitoring his situation as the end of the season approached.

Sporting have moved quickly to ensure that they do not lose out on their prodigy and have thrashed out a new deal that will see his basic salary and bonuses increase.

More importantly, however, is the fact the player, has seen his buy-out clause rise to €30m.

That figure has ensured that Atlético are no longer in the running and may deter Manchester United into making a concrete approach this summer.

The new deal signed by Nani is a six-year contract that will keep him at the club until 2013, unless one of the continent's most affluent club's matches his buy-out clause.

United were reported to be close to finalising a deal earlier this month for around €25m, but will have to raise their offer to clinch any deal.

Nani has made no secret that he would fancy teaming up again with Cristiano Ronaldo, who also came through the Sporting youth system.

Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to capture the left-winger as he views him as the successor to Ryan Giggs in the Red Devils' side.