Posted on 5/15/2007 6:34:02 PM

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL ODDS – AC MILAN LOOKING FOR EQUALIZER

By Marc Reichertz

On May 23rd, British side Liverpool will take to the pitch at Olympic Stadium in Athens to battle Italian powerhouse AC Milan in the most highly anticipated Champions League Final rematch in history. Since its inception in 1955, the most successful European soccer clubs have perennially challenged to hoist the European Champion Clubs’ Cup – the most prestigious trophy in the sport after the Holy Grail – the World Cup.

The level of anticipation and suspense can’t get any higher heading into this contest, as these two star-studded casts prepare to meet again for the first time since their unforgettable clash in the 2005 Champions League Final. Up 3-0 at halftime, AC Milan stunningly surrendered three goals in seven minutes to a pressing Liverpool squad leading to an unbelievable comeback victory in extra time thanks to the heroics of goaltender Jerzy Dudek.

 

The taste of defeat still lingers, as evidenced by Milan defender Cafu’s painful memory of the loss: "It was like taking a shower in cold water, or as if a piano had fallen on to your head. I was destroyed, but it is part of this great game called football." Captain Paolo Maldini added “The Istanbul defeat in 2005 still hurts, but I'm sure Liverpool know they will never win a match like that again. Compared to our last two finals in Manchester and Istanbul, we are in much better shape.” With a lineup that boasts Kakà (the tournament’s leading scorer, with ten goals), Gattuso, Pirlo, Gilardino and Nesta, many believe Liverpool (PK +135) will be simply overmatched and outclassed in this final.

Yet Liverpool Captain Steven Gerrard confidently insists, "We're everybody's nightmare, as we never know when we're beaten. It's a great attitude to have. It doesn't matter whatever team we face. We haven't done well domestically but we are some side in Europe."

We’ll have to wait until match time to measure the outcome, but fortitude and a diehard attitude will be certain requirements for Gerrard and Liverpool if they want to beat the Rossoneri.

The Reds will rely on lanky striker Peter Crouch (who leads the club with six tournament goals) to get his head or foot on a Gerrard cross, while the position Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez decides to start his midfield star is still a guessing game. The Merseyside club would also welcome a boot from Socceroos star Harry Kewell who is finally close to full strength and contributed with a clutch performance against Charlton in their league finale. Also key will be getting another magical performance from keeper Pepe Reina, who was brilliant in beating Chelsea in the semi-final and guiding Liverpool to the Final.

 

AC Milan’s prosperous club is blessed with one of the strongest midfields in football with Gennaro Gatusso supplying grit, Clarence Seedorf distributing the ball and Kaka demonstrating other worldly skills, trickery and a deadly strike. Add the heart and soul of the club in Andrea Pirlo and it’s obvious why this team is favored (PK -155) by experts such as Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who predicts a clear winner: "I'd bet for sure that Milan will win the Champions League. I'm absolutely certain of it.” He has firsthand experience, his club just having been eliminated by AC Milan.

AC Milan manager Carlos Ancelotti is one of the few people to have lifted the European Champion Clubs' Cup as both a player and a coach and he will want to rewrite history, or at least place an asterisk on the club’s 2005 loss to Liverpool with a dominant performance in their eleventh trip to the final.

Gennaro Gatusso has already guaranteed a victory, but the feisty and resilient Red Shirts still have their say on May 23rd in what should prove to be an unbelievable Champions League Final rematch.

Champions League Final, On May 23rd at Olympic Stadium in Athens. To all you soccer betting fans BetUS sportsbook brings you Champions League Final betting odds for the final game held between Italian power house AC Milan vs. Liverpool FC. Bet On soccer now!