Post by PureOldGold on May 21, 2007 20:31:55 GMT -1
AC Milan v Liverpool
Champions League final
Date: Wednesday, 23 May
Kick-off: 1945 BST
Venue: Olympic Stadium, Athens
Watch (in UK): ITV1 and Sky Sports One
Listen: BBC Radio Five Live
Updates: BBC Sport website and mobile
AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti must decide between Filippo Inzaghi and Alberto Gilardino to play up front in the Champions League final in Athens.
Milan will give Paolo Maldini (knee) a late fitness test to see whether he can play in his eighth final.
Liverpool winger Boudewijn Zenden is a doubt with an ankle problem, so Harry Kewell could play wide on the left.
Xabi Alonso's inclusion could depend on whether Steven Gerrard plays on the right or in central midfield.
Liverpool's first-choice keeper Jose Reina and back-up Jerzy Dudek have both been passed fit.
Bolo can bring character, experience and tactical knowledge to the team
Reina injured a shoulder at Fulham and was left out of the final home league game against Charlton as a precaution.
But the Spaniard trained normally last week in La Manga and is available - as has Dudek who has been suffering with a groin problem.
Manager Rafael Benitez will make no decision on Zenden until further checks on the injury.
Benitez said: "It will be difficult to say Boudewijn will be fit for the final now, but I won't say 'no' yet.
"He is strong and determined and it may recover quickly. I still hope he will be OK.
"It will be a big disappointment for him and for us if it's not possible. He can bring character, experience and tactical knowledge to the team."
Liverpool go into the game definitely without injured duo Luis Garcia and Fabio Aurelio, while Benitez is also hopeful Mohamed Sissoko will be available.
Milan fielded virtually a second-string side in their 3-2 defeat to Udinese at the San Siro on Saturday.
606: DEBATE
Are you an AC Milan fan going to Athens?
And while veteran defender Maldini, 38, has been bothered by a knee injury, he is still hopeful of starting his eighth European Cup final.
Coach Ancelotti said: "I've already decided on my team except I have to wait and see for Maldini and decide on the striker - Inzaghi scores more goals than Gilardino but his support work is better.
"We will have to play our own game in the knowledge it will be difficult to play the ball around against a team that gives very little space."
German official Herbert Fandel will referee Wednesday's game in the Olympic Stadium.
Fandel, 43, has been in charge of three of Liverpool's Champions League matches - the last being the 1-0 defeat by Barcelona at Anfield in March - and he has handled five Milan matches in the European Cup.
Carsten Kadach and Volker Wezel are assistant referees, with Florian Meyer the fourth official.
Champions League final
Date: Wednesday, 23 May
Kick-off: 1945 BST
Venue: Olympic Stadium, Athens
Watch (in UK): ITV1 and Sky Sports One
Listen: BBC Radio Five Live
Updates: BBC Sport website and mobile
AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti must decide between Filippo Inzaghi and Alberto Gilardino to play up front in the Champions League final in Athens.
Milan will give Paolo Maldini (knee) a late fitness test to see whether he can play in his eighth final.
Liverpool winger Boudewijn Zenden is a doubt with an ankle problem, so Harry Kewell could play wide on the left.
Xabi Alonso's inclusion could depend on whether Steven Gerrard plays on the right or in central midfield.
Liverpool's first-choice keeper Jose Reina and back-up Jerzy Dudek have both been passed fit.
Bolo can bring character, experience and tactical knowledge to the team
Reina injured a shoulder at Fulham and was left out of the final home league game against Charlton as a precaution.
But the Spaniard trained normally last week in La Manga and is available - as has Dudek who has been suffering with a groin problem.
Manager Rafael Benitez will make no decision on Zenden until further checks on the injury.
Benitez said: "It will be difficult to say Boudewijn will be fit for the final now, but I won't say 'no' yet.
"He is strong and determined and it may recover quickly. I still hope he will be OK.
"It will be a big disappointment for him and for us if it's not possible. He can bring character, experience and tactical knowledge to the team."
Liverpool go into the game definitely without injured duo Luis Garcia and Fabio Aurelio, while Benitez is also hopeful Mohamed Sissoko will be available.
Milan fielded virtually a second-string side in their 3-2 defeat to Udinese at the San Siro on Saturday.
606: DEBATE
Are you an AC Milan fan going to Athens?
And while veteran defender Maldini, 38, has been bothered by a knee injury, he is still hopeful of starting his eighth European Cup final.
Coach Ancelotti said: "I've already decided on my team except I have to wait and see for Maldini and decide on the striker - Inzaghi scores more goals than Gilardino but his support work is better.
"We will have to play our own game in the knowledge it will be difficult to play the ball around against a team that gives very little space."
German official Herbert Fandel will referee Wednesday's game in the Olympic Stadium.
Fandel, 43, has been in charge of three of Liverpool's Champions League matches - the last being the 1-0 defeat by Barcelona at Anfield in March - and he has handled five Milan matches in the European Cup.
Carsten Kadach and Volker Wezel are assistant referees, with Florian Meyer the fourth official.
