Saw this at a football forum, thought it would make a good start to the threadUEFA Champions League: 2004-5
__________ vs. __________
AC Milan _____________________ Liverpool FC
Atatürk Olimpiyat Stadium, Istanbul - TÜRKIYE
Capacity: 80,000 (sold-out)
Wednesday (May 25, 2005)
Kick-off -> 19:45 (UK Time): Sky Sports 1 / ITV 1 / ITV 2
PREVIEW
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The greatest club competition commenced on September 14 & 15 [2004] when Matchday 1 kicked off around Europe with the continent's best 32 clubs beginning their "Conquest for Paradise". The world was privileged to watch the greatest names playing today showing what they are made of. It was one of the hardest UCL campaigns to choose a winner because the difference between the quality of teams at the top was bare minimum. The toughest UCL competition in European History has come down to ONE game. It is THE game!
UEFA celebrates the "50th" final in the premier club competition on May 25, 2005. That warm evening will be the NIGHT OF ALL NIGHTS to crown the new European Champions of this season's magnificent competition.
It will be the FIRST time in ECC/UCL history that the clubs competing this prestigious final game will have "10" European Cups between them [Milan: 6 & Liverpool: 4]. It has never happened before.
It will be the first time that the two great football clubs that are AC Milan [Italia] and Liverpool FC [England] face-off in a European encounter! Milan and Liverpool have played 21 continental finals between them and a combined total of 504 European games and astonishingly have never crossed paths. All this changes on the last Wednesday of Magnificent May. The Devil comes face to face with the Liverbird on the night of all nights when there will be a sea of red (as both clubs have red as their club colours) in the 80,000 seater Atatürk Olimpiyat Stadium in Istanbul. A fitting finale to a grand competition that has been viewed by over a billion people since it started in September 2004. Two giants of European football face-off for the first time in their illustious history to have a shot at becoming the European Champions in the cultural city that is Istanbul.
It is also the first instance that Turkey will be hosting a major European Final and what a final to host. Istanbul prepares for the biggest night of football and the fluidity of this event will go a long way in giving Turkey good points towards their Euro bid in the upcoming future.
AC Milan have the 'Home Status' for this fixture while Liverpool FC have the 'Away Status' for this final. Liverpool put in a request that they be allowed to wear their traditional RED kits that have been synonymous with each of their 4 European Cup victories. Milan who normally wear their traditional Rossonero (Red Black) jerseys gladly accepted Liverpool's proposal as the Rossoneri have won 5 of their 6 European Cups wearing their all WHITE away kits. It will be ironic that the home side is wearing their away kits while the away side is wearing their home kits but I guess it was meant to be.
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---> M I L A N <---
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PROFILE
Full Name: Associazione Calcio Milan
Country: Italia
City: Milano
Formed: 1899
Stadium: Stadio San Siro
Capacity: 85,700
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ECC Cup / UCL Pedigree
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The European Champions' Cup began in 1955-56. The competition was renamed to the UEFA Champions League after a changed format in 1992-93.
Finals: 10 (1958, 1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2005*)
Victories: 6 (1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003)
1962-63 - Milan vs. Benfica -> 2-1
1968-69 - Milan vs. Ajax -> 4-1
1988-89 - Steaua Bucharest vs. Milan -> 0-4
1989-90 - Milan vs. Benfica -> 1-0
1993-94 - Milan vs. Barcelona -> 4-0
2002-03 - Juventus vs. Milan -> 0-0 - (2-3 on Penalties a.e.t.**)
Losses: 3 (1958, 1993, 1995)
1957-58 - Real Madrid vs. Milan -> 3-2
1992-93 - Marseille vs. Milan -> 1-0
1994-95 - Ajax vs. Milan -> 1-0
* 2004-5 final this season.
** After extra-time
Milan has one of the richest traditions and pedigree in world football. This will be a landmark 10th final for Milan on the primary European front. It can be seen from the list above that Milan has amassed 17 goals and conceded 6 goals in the nine finals played so far. Teams can have frozen feet or simply not play in their normal fashion on the Night of all Nights. Milan, it is safe to say has maintained a good standing, scoring almost two goals per final and conceding less than a goal per final.
There are three types of Milan sides that come out to finals:
1. A dominant Milan that disposes off the opposition with ease (4-0 wins etc).
2. A Milan side that wins narrowly (as is the case with over 75% of UEFA finals)
3. A Milan side that loses narrowly and doesn't score a goal on the night (1-0 losses etc).
Upto this point, these are the three scenarios that present themselves looking back at Milan's history in this competition's finals. It should be noted that Milan is the last side in this competition to win back-to-back finals (1989 and 1990). It was an Arrigo Sacchi coached Milan side that had current Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, Frank Rijkaard, Van Basten, Gullit, Tassotti & Donadoni all of whom are in coaching/management positions today!
The Milan side of 1994 is also the only side in European History to win a UCL title after losing it the previous season. It hasn't been done before. Milan of '93 also holds the record for least goals conceded in a competition i.e. 2
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---> L I V E R P O O L <---
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PROFILE
Full Name: Liverpool Football Club
Country: England
City: Liverpool
Formed: 1892
Stadium: Anfield
Capacity: 45,352
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ECC Cup / UCL Pedigree
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The European Champions' Cup began in 1955-56. The competition was renamed to the UEFA Champions League after a changed format in 1992-93.
Finals: 6 (1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 1985, 2005*)
Victories: 4 (1977, 1978, 1981, 1984)
1976-77 - Liverpool vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach -> 3-1
1977-78 - Liverpool vs. Club Brugge -> 1-0
1980-81 - Liverpool vs. Real Madrid -> 1-0
1983-84 - Liverpool vs. Roma -> 1-1 (4-2 on Penalties a.e.t.**)
Losses: 1 (1985)
1984-85 - Juventus vs. Liverpool -> 1-0
* 2004-5 final this season.
** After extra-time
Liverpool are also a part of the Elite 5 (Real, Milan, Bayern, Ajax, Liverpool) successful clubs in Europe. Their tradition is rich and history is plenty over the decades. This will be a record 6th final for Liverpool. Just like Milan in Italy, Liverpool in England lead from the front and are the first English club to reach a 6th final. It can be seen from the above figures that Liverpool has scored 6 goals and conceded 3 in five final appearances. That comes to about just over a goal per final and less than a goal per final.
On the whole, doing a comparison of both Milan and Liverpool, the figures suggest that Milan has a slight advantage in the goals scored department while the defences of both sides historically seem to be on par with each other. Another interesting thing to note is that Milan also won 4 European Cups in the first five final appearances. The only difference being that Milan lost the first final and then went on to win the next 4. Liverpool on the other hand started off with 4 wins followed by a loss.
The same three points of Milan can be applied to Liverpool as well with the difference being that Liverpool's scoring rate is slightly lower compared to Milan (3-1 as opposed to 4-1 or 4-0).
The "Home" & "Away" Status
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There have been 49 finals played at this highest of levels in European Competition. Milan and Liverpool will face-off in the 50th final on the last Wednesday of May 2005. The final venue is usually chosen more than a year in advance depending on the bids received by local confederations of Europe. The final usually tends to be a neutral venue but it can become a home venue as the Estadio Camp Nou did in 1989 when 90,000 Milan fans travelled to Spain for the final! It can also be a natural home as the Stadio Olimpico was for AS Roma in the 1984 final. UEFA chooses the stadia according to the bids received and use rotation of leagues as a stipulation as well.
Since the venue is decided in advance, UEFA has to make draws for the HOME side and AWAY side in the final for the purpose of appointing dressing rooms, VIP boxes, team writing (Home vs. Away) in the promotion and game etc. This status shouldn't count that much so to speak but it is quite surprising to see the information that I am about to provide. Of the 49 finals played so far, only 8 finals have been won by the team that has the AWAY status. As I said it doesn't count that much but facts are facts. Below is the list of the finals that were won by the "AWAY" status sides.
1986-87 - FC Bayern München vs. FC Porto -> 1-2
1988-89 - Steaua Bucharest vs. AC Milan -> 0-4
1991-92 - Sampdoria vs. FC Barcelona -> 0-1
1995-96 - AFC Ajax vs. Juventus FC -> 1-1 (2-4 on Penalties a.e.t)
1997-98 - Juventus vs. Real Madrid CF -> 0-1
2001-02 - Bayer Leverkusen vs. Real Madrid CF -> 1-2
2002-03 - Juventus FC vs. AC Milan -> 0-0 (2-3 on Penalties a.e.t)
2003-04 - AS Monaco vs. FC Porto -> 0-3
All other ECC/UCL finals have been won by the side with the HOME STATUS. 1/5 of the finals in European history have been won by the side with the away status and this ratio has reduced to slightly less than 1/3 since the start of the UCL. Interestingly the last three finals have all been won by the side with the AWAY status.
Probable Starting Line-Up(s)
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---> Milan <---
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Formation: 4-4-2 diamond (4-1-2-1-2)
___________________Dida_____________________
__Cafu_______Stam_______Nesta_______Maldini__
___________________Pirlo_____________________
_______Gattuso_______________Seedorf_________
___________________Kaka_____________________
___________Crespo_________Sheva_____________
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--- Ancelotti [M I L A N] ---
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1. The Milan starting line-up picks itself. The main question would be whether the on-loan Hernan Jorge Crespo starts or should the recuperated Filippo Inzaghi start? Crespo has had a good enough season for Mourinho to want him back at Chelsea and raising his price tag. He had a small slump and was relegated to the bench but his services this year have been good for Milan. His strength in the air would be an added bonus to win headers over Hyypia and Carragher who are both very good at defensive heading. Inzaghi is yet to get into his stride but being more pro-active on the pitch can cause trouble to the defences. Inzaghi should be played against Palermo on Friday to determine whether he would be the adequate player over Crespo who has already scored a few in this competition.
2. Seedorf and Pirlo have been holding the midfield together. Milan's recent lack of form has also coincided with the lacking play of both. The upcoming break should refresh them and get them ready for the big night as they are all-important figures for Milan's possession style football.
3. Milan will use that right wing for Cafu's forays into the opposition half. Get off to a good start and stamp authority on the game. An authoritative start is required to signal intent and ruffle feathers of the Liverbird.
4. Sort out the defence that on paper can be the best but in reality is not upto par in the last month and leaves a lot to be desired. Nesta and Stam have been giving sub-par performances which is the reason behind this. Their experience and class is there and they have to get it right. This short break should help in that regard.
5. Take shots on goal and ensure the team is using one-touch passing in the final third. Simple triangles to be used with the ball on the ground. Playing long balls or aerial balls into Liverpool's half won't work as they will defend those balls all day long with ease.
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---> Liverpool <---
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Formation: 4-2-3-1
_____________________Dudek___________________
__Finnan____Carragher________Hyypia_____Traore__
_____________Alonso________Hamann____________
_______Garcia________Gerrard______Riise_________
_____________________Cisse___________________
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--- Benitez [L I V E R P O O L] ---
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1. Liverpool's side pretty much picks itself as well as most of them are regular starters. Didier Hamann's performance in the absence of the talismanic Alonso in the 2nd leg should warrant him a starting spot to relegate Igor Biscan to the bench. Djibril Cisse's incredible recovery from a horrific broken leg to return this season was amazing. He scored a brace vs. Aston Villa in the final league game to top off a miraculous recovery that threatened his career. He should get the nod ahead of Milan Baros whose form has gone downhill of late. Benitez mentioned that with Cisse's return he might opt for a two striker formation but that in all likelihood won't happen. Benitez prefers a 5 man midfield and that is what he will play unless he is forced to put two strikers on the field.
2. Benitez will prefer to have an electric start to the game similar to the one against Juventus in Anfield. He will prefer to capitalize on a lead and then try to dictate the game and hit on the counter. Liverpool won't come out to defend. He will also want a balance in the attacking as Liverpool have been hurt when attacking in the EPL so he would want a balance although this is a different competition where league form/tactics don't count.
3. Milan's creative play starts from Pirlo. Benitez will try to neutralize him from the game and use Gerrard's offensive surge to keep Pirlo busy. Garcia cutting in from the left will also be used. Riise will be used to keep Cafu pushed back or caught out of position. Ancelotti usually instructs Cafu to be careful in the first 20 mins and pick his runs intelligently.
4. Hamann will be used to keep Kaka in check and stop his runs from midfield. Kaka is one of the fastest players with the ball at his feet while Alonso will be used to stop the Stealth Bomber.
5. Benitez' team is good at set-pieces and long range shooting so he will instruct his team to lay the ball for long range shooting. Milan's defence has been lacking in concentration and can give space to shoot.
What's On Offer?
a) Milan has already become the first side to reach an unprecedented 5 UCL finals. Milan captain Paolo Maldini is on the brink of appearing in his RECORD 7th ECC/UCL final. According my knowledge, no football player has appeared in 7 ECC/UCL finals ever. It is an unbelievable feat. Maldini is set to make history!
b) If his side go on to win the UCL, then Maldini alongwith teammate Alessandro Costacurta would win 5 ECC/UCL titles! Seedorf who has won previously with Ajax, Real and Milan is vying for his 4th winner's medal.
c) It doesn't stop at that. Maldini celebrates 20 years of playing for Milan. T W E N T Y years! Phenomenal for a true gentleman and professional of the beautiful game! Liverpool last lost a European final when a 16 year old Maldini was making his debut for Milan.
d) Carlo Ancelotti is vying for his second UCL trophy as coach. He would join a select club if he was to achieve this.
e) Rafael Benitez is aiming to become the 3rd coach to win two different European trophies in succession. Paisley did it with Liverpool. Mourinho did it with Porto and now Benitez who won the UEFA Cup with Valencia last season is aiming to make history by becoming the first coach to win two different European trophies with two different clubs in successive years!
f) Milan has not lost a final in Home Status and Liverpool has not won a final in Away Status.
g) The teams that have eliminated Manchester United in the knock-out since 1999 have gone on to win the UCL. The only instance when a team didn't go on to win was in 2002 when Leverkusen lost in the final. The difference at that time was that Leverkusen met Utd. in the semi and not prior to that.
h) Liverpool out of the big 5 are the only club to not wear the European Star. A team gets to wear it if they win 5 or more European Cups and/or win 3 European Cups in succession. Real, Milan, Ajax and Bayern wear it as they satisfy the criteria. Liverpool will get to wear it if they were to win this final.
The Stadium
Turkey is preparing for the biggest football event of the year. The Atatürk Olimpiyat Stadium will be hosting not only a European Final but the "50th" European Final! The stadium is named after their founder and leader Mustafa "Atatürk" Kamal. Atatürk means Father of Turkey/Turks if my history serves me correctly. The stadium is an all-seater with 80,000 capacity. Right now it looks something like this:
In ten days time it will packed to the rafters with the most ambient atmosphere created by the most passionate sets of fans in European football. The downside is that the stadium has an Olympic track around it. That will be covered with astroturf to give it a more 'greener' feel but it is still a disadvantage. The design of the stadium is not symmetrical and not to my liking. The grand-stand where the VIPs will be seated is beautiful and looks really good. 20,000 seats allocated to Milan and Liverpool each while 15,000 for UEFA officials and guests and the rest for neutrals. You can expect 20,000+ supporters of Milan and Liverpool in the stadium come matchday.
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just what i need before a trip like this!
