The 2006-2007 Champions League Final produced a thrilling show at Athens’ Olympic Stadium. Filippo Inzaghi and AC Milan came away with a 2-1 victory to earn their 7th European Championship on an evening where Filippo Inzaghi will be remembered forever.

Inzaghi Becomes Immortal
When I projected the starting lineups in the preview, I thought Alberto Gilardino would be starting over Filippo Inzaghi. However, when Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti submitted his lineup card, Gilardino was nowhere to be found. In the 44th minute, Kaka was taken down outside of the box to set up the free-kick specialist, Andrea Pirlo. Pirlo sent the ball right through the Liverpool wall but on the way by it clipped Inzaghi on his left forearm and deflected in. In my opinion, the ruling should have been a hand ball. But German referee Herbert Fendal saw no evidence. Milan’s second came in the 82nd minute when Inzaghi received a beautiful through ball from Kaka. Inzaghi dribbled through the box to Jose Reina’s left and placed it directly underneath the diving keeper for the goal. Read the rest of this entry »

AC Milan and Liverpool know each other all too well. The Italian and British squads faced off in the 2005 Final and tomorrow, they will do battle again in Athens. AC Milan have the second most Champions League titles with six, while Liverpool stand in third with five to their name.

Past Revisted
AC Milan are entering this match with heavy hearts. In the 2005 Final, Milan blew a 3-0 lead after halftime and eventually lost in penalty kicks. I am willing to bet that Milan will not repeat their horrendous choke. Milan will be focused and try to establish their game plan quickly. Liverpool earned their win in the last meeting with a miracle finish. They will have to play with the same intensity Wednesday night.

What to Watch: Milan’s Forwards
Anyone that follows soccer can tell you that AC Milan might have the best midfield assembled in the game today. However, the real question lies with how good Milan’s forwards are. Since losing Andriy Shevchenko last summer, AC Milan has only produced one forward who has scored more than three goals (Alberto Gilardino 12). This adds extensive pressure to the midfield but they’ve been up to the task all season long. Brazilian forward Ronaldo will not be able to help Milan in tomorrow’s final. He already appeared in this year’s competition with Real Madrid. I know Milan’s midfield is capable of controlling the game, but their forwards have to relieve them of some stress. Read the rest of this entry »

Chelsea 0 @ 1 Liverpool
Liverpool and Chelsea left us with one to remember today, as the two teams played their way into penalty kicks at Anfield. Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina saved two penalty kicks before Dirk Kuyt knocked home the winner in an exhausting encounter.

Liverpool Get Their Goal
It only took 22 minutes for Liverpool to silence the critics on their lack of scoring in the past week. A free-kick opportunity was called in Liverpool’s favor just outside the box on the left. Everyone at Anfield expected Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard to curl it up towards Peter Crouch, but the Englishman had other plans. Roaming freely outside the box, Dutch international defender Daniel Agger caught the eyes of Gerrard. After receiving the pass, Agger curled it home past Cech and the Chelsea defense.

To Extra-Time We Go
Liverpool and John Arne Riise succeeded in containing Drogba for must of the game. The Ivory Coast star managed to get off a few shots here and there, but nothing landed for him. With the score at 1-0, the 1-1 aggregate called for extra-time. The first overtime period displayed electrifying shots from both teams but no goals. Dirk Kuyt edged his way through the defense to put home a deflection but was ruled to be offside. When the second overtime period came, Liverpool and Chelsea played cautious. Neither team was willing to attack and leave themselves open for a counter attack. After 30 minutes of extra-time, the two squads’ fate would be determined by penalty kicks.

Reina Brings Back Dudek Memories
Nobody will ever forget the magic of Jerzy Dudek two yers ago in the final of the 2004 Champions League. But today, the Polish keeper wasn’t around for Liverpool. Instead, Spanish goalie Pepe Riena had a chance to to shine. Riena blocked Chelsea’s first attempt and later blocked their 4th attempt in the penalty kick stage. Even when Chelsea scored on their second attempt, Riena dived the correct way. Liverpool, on the other hand, made all the shots they took and sealed a trip to the finals in Athens.

Greek Vacation
Liverpool will now be headed to Greece later this month to participate in their second Champions League final in 3 years. They staged a brilliant comeback from three goals down and a rematch could be waiting for them in Greece. Liverpool will have to go through Manchester United or possibly AC Milan again to get the title. Liverpool only have two more games in the Premiership, with the last of the two slated for May 13th. The English club will then have 10 days rest before taking the field for the final in Athens on May 23rd.

Going into today’s matchup against Liverpool, Chelsea is starting to feel a cool Athenian breeze that will await them if they make it to the final. Liverpool, on the other hand, have been in this position before, when these two teams squared off in the 2005 semifinal. Last week, Chelsea won the first leg 1-0 at home. But now the task of advancing to the championship match arrives with a challenge.

Chelsea Stamina
After blowing a lead against Bolton this past weekend, I am eager to see how Chelsea comes out from their 2-2 tie. Not only does Chelsea have to rebound physically, but mentally as well. Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, and Didier Drogba all came on as subs in last Saturday’s game. However Michael Essien and John Terry played the full ninety. Chelsea also has to shrug off the fact that they’re five points behind Manchester United. They cannot let that get in the way of a possible trip to the Champions League final.

Key Matchup: Liverpool Defense vs. Didier Drogba
It seems as if Didier Drogba has been in the right spot at the right time all season long. In order to advance, Liverpool must take Drogba out of the game entirely. From collecting passes to dishing them out, Drogba must be kept quiet. Liverpool must take away the center of attack that Drogba, the African Player of the Year, can bring. If they do so, counter-attacks for them will come easily, starting with the defense and John Arne Riise.

Outcome: Everyone knows that Liverpool must obtain a clean sheet in order to advance today. But all in all, Liverpool must explode offensively. They only managed one goal in two games last week so they’ll definitely need better attacking today. Gerrard, Riise, Kuyt, and Crouch will have to play near perfect for a victory at Anfield. Liverpool is clearly capable of heading to the final, they’ve responded to these situations all competition. That is why I seem them heading to Athens with a 2-0 win.

Liverpool 0 @ 1 Chelsea
For the second night in a row, a Champions League semifinal game was held in England. This time out, Chelsea got the best of Liverpool in the first leg of their matchup. The Blues are off to a good start in attempting to avenge their loss in the 2005 Champions League Semifinals. They controlled most of the match and were actually unlucky to only come away with a single goal. Several brilliant volleys by Frank Lampard were saved by Liverpool keeper Jose Reina.

Foul after Foul
I’m not really sure if Liverpool were told to go out on a personal vendetta against Chelsea, but it sure seemed like it on Wednesday night. Liverpool committed 19 fouls throughout the game with 5 players cautioned more than once. Despite the large amount of fouls only one yellow card was issued to Javier Mascherano.On the other hand, Chelsea committed just nine fouls and were fortunate enough to avoid any further yellow cards. This ensures that Didier Drogba will be able to play in next week’s second leg.

Joltin’ Joe
Chelsea was able to get their first and only goal of the evening in the 29th minute of the match. Joe Cole’s terrific run was rewarded when he was fed by Didier Drogba from the wing. It was brilliant playmaking by Drogba, who made an enormous impact all match. The back pass to Cole was set up by brilliant skill on the wing. The Chelsea counter was set up by defender Richardo Carvalho, who orchestrated the attack from midfield. The goal scored by Cole was his first since October 25th of last year. Read the rest of this entry »

It is going to be hard for Liverpool and Chelsea to live up to yesterday’s match between AC Milan and Manchester United. However, don’t be surprised if this England semifinal comes down to the final minutes at Stamford Bridge in London.

Chelsea and Liverpool got things started this year in the FA Community Shield match back in August, where Liverpool won 2-1. The next time the two faced each other was in a Premiership match in September. Chelsea came away with a 1-0 win. Liverpool came right back in January with a 2-0 win at Anfield. But today, the Premiership table takes a back seat to this European battle.

What to Watch for: I am eager to see how Joe Cole, Lassana Diarra, and Didier Drogba handle themselves in this one. Another booking for either of them will result in them being forced to miss the return leg next week at Anfield. Drogba will be effected the most because he has a tendency to lay up a lot when it comes to having a caution in the books already. With Drogba playing with a weary mind, midfielders Frank Lampard and Claude Makelele will have to step up, as will former AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko. Read the rest of this entry »