Liverpool and Italian giants AC Milan come face to face in Athens tommorrow in a repeat of the epic Champions League final two years ago.

Again, AC Milan are the favourite to win after outclassing Manchester United in what seems to be the perfect game for them. Both Kaka and Seedorf were outstanding while Gattuso was awesome in schackling Cristiano Ronaldo at the San Siro.

Meanwhile, Liverpool went through a difficult game against Chelsea where they were also tagged as underdog but managed to sneak an important goal at Anfield after holding the Blues at Stamford Bridge.

The man to watch is not Kaka, Gerrard nor Seedorf, but the Reds manager, Rafa Benitez. The tactician has so far enjoyed great success in continental competition with both Liverpool and Valencia, so he is unlikely to stray far from his tried and tested formula.

With Milan strong in midfield and relied heavily on Kaka, Benitez will see that Javier Mascherano to man mark him. Which we expect, a rigid defensive lines with Liverpool set to flood the midfield area.

The pressure will be on Milan to set another classy performance, and they will attack to get an early goal. And this is where Liverpool are at their best, defense, and they are also strong on counter attack and have Steven Gerrard, who controls a strong midfield alongside Xabi Alonso.

Liverpool’s lack of genuinely world class striker could cost them against defenders as wily as Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini, and not for the first time, the Reds primary goal threat will come from the on-rushing midfielders.

Expect a tense and tactical battle in Athens, but one thing for sure, if Liverpool can do another ‘Istanbul’ this time, Benitez will surely be ‘the special one’.

AC Milan, Champions League Final, Liverpool, Rafa Benitez

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