Changes: 2007 Champions League Final

Revision as of 12:57, 9 July 2011

Liverpool reached the final of the 2007 UEFA Champions League where they played AC Milan, in a repeat of the 2005 final. Hosted at the Olympic Stadium, Athens, AC Milan gained revenge for their 2005 defeat by prevailing 2-1.

The Match

The first half saw both sides have numerous attempts to take the lead, however it was Milan how finally broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time. Xabi Alonso fouled Kaka and Andrea Pirlo took a shot at goal. The shot deflected off of Filippo Inzaghi, wrong-footing 'keeper Pepe Reina and putting Milan 1-0 up. Replay footage however showed that the ball struck Inzaghi on the arm, which was missed by the match officials. Milan's first goal shared similarities with their first goal from the 2005 final. In both finals, Milan took the lead via an Andrea Pirlo free kick that was awarded for a foul on playmaker Kaka.

In the second half, Liverpool had some chances to draw level however in the 82nd minute, after Liverpool replaced the defensive Javier Mascherano for striker Peter Crouch, Kaka was afforded the space to bear down on the Liverpool goal. He put Inzaghi through on goal who slotted past Reina to put Milan 2-0 up and on their way to the championship. Dirk Kuyt pulled a goal back in the 89th minute with a header from a corner, however Milan saw the game through and held on to win 2-1.

Details

23 May 2007	Liverpool	1-2	AC Milan	Olympic Stadium, Athens
	Kuyt (89)		Inzaghi (45, 82)	Olympic Stadium, Athens

Team

Starting 11:

Substitutes:

Notes

Despite suffering defeat, Liverpool had a total of 12 shots with 4 on target during the game, compared with Milan's 5 shots with 3 on target.

Liverpool played 6 players who also took part in the 2005 final: Finnan, Carragher, Riise, Alonso, Gerrard and Kewell, who was a 59th minute substitute for Boudewijn Zenden.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[File:Cl 2007.jpg|right]]
 [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] reached the final of the 2007 UEFA Champions League where they played AC Milan, in a repeat of the [[2005 Champions League Final|2005 final]]. Hosted at the Olympic Stadium, Athens, AC Milan gained revenge for their 2005 defeat by prevailing 2-1.
+==The Match==
 The first half saw both sides have numerous attempts to take the lead, however it was Milan how finally broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time. [[Xabi Alonso]] fouled Kaka and Andrea Pirlo took a shot at goal. The shot deflected off of Filippo Inzaghi, wrong-footing 'keeper [[Pepe Reina]] and putting Milan 1-0 up. Replay footage however showed that the ball struck Inzaghi on the arm, which was missed by the match officials. Milan's first goal shared similarities with their first goal from the 2005 final. In both finals, Milan took the lead via an Andrea Pirlo free kick that was awarded for a foul on playmaker Kaka.