An estimated worldwide audience of 150 million television viewers will watch the showcase event of European club soccer to see if the Italian giants, the overwhelming favourites, can end the Cinderella ride of the storied English club.
Liverpool finished a disappointing fifth place in the English Premiership this past season, but defied the odds and shocked critics by upsetting German club Bayern Leverkusen, Italian champions Juventus and English titlists Chelsea in the Champions League en route to the final.
Nobody gave them much of a chance of progressing this far, and even fewer think they have a hope against the mighty Italians on Wednesday. But Liverpool has been stingy (only three goals against in its last six Champions League game) and possesses an effective counter-attack led by Czech forward Milan Baros.
AC Milan will look to Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko to lead them to victory over Liverpool on Wednesday. (AP File Photo)
The trio of captain Steven Gerrard and Spaniards Luis Garcia and Xabi Alonso run things in midfield, and it will up to them to control the tempo of the game and feed Baros up front.
"Experience is always important and they have a lot of players with more experience than us. But we are really hungry and we want to win. We can balance their experience with the hunger we have," Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez told reporters.
"I have a lot of confidence in the team, maybe Milan are favourites – they have a lot of good players – but we have confidence and we can win," added the Spaniard.
Owned by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Milan comes into the final following a rough couple of weeks.
A late-season slump, including a 1-0 loss at home to Juventus, cost the club the Serie A – Italian first division – title.
Like Liverpool, Milan boasts a rock-solid defence (five shutouts in its last six Champions League games). Team captain Paolo Maldini, Cafu, Alessandro Nesta and Jaap Stam comprise what many consider the best back-line in soccer today.
Milan has more world-class players than Liverpool at every position, including Brazilian goalkeeper Dida, midfield wizards Kaka and Andrea Pirlo, and Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko, the reigning European player of the year.
Milan, known as the Rossoneri – the red and blacks (their team colours), also has a deeper bench and much more experience.
Maldini has won four European titles in six final appearances for Milan. Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf has won three Champions League crowns with three teams (Milan, Real Madrid and Ajax of Amsterdam), and the majority of players who were a member of Milan's 2003 Champions League winning side are still with the club.
"I think Liverpool is going to play the only game it has, that is based a strong defence and this is the same game Milan wants to do," said Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti. "But Milan can play building from defence.
"I think Steven Gerrard is one of the best midfielders in the world right now. He has great quality and dynamism. But I don't think he can decide the match by himself, just like there is no one on the Milan side that can decide the game by himself. But we have several individuals who can give an impulse to the game."
One such player is midfield workhorse Gennaro Gattuso. A hard-tackling dynamo, it'll be up to the 27-year-old to prevent Liverpool from holding onto possession in the middle of the field.
Both teams have plenty of pedigree in the Champions League, which changed its name (from the European Champions Cup) and format in 1993.
Milan has won six Champions Cup/Champions League trophies (1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994 and 2003) and trails only Spanish club Real Madrid (nine titles) on the all-time list.
Two years ago, Milan defeated Juventus in a penalty shootout in the final from Old Trafford Stadium (home of Manchester United).
Liverpool won the European Champions Cup in 1977, 1978, 1981 and 1984, more than any other English club.
with files from Associated Press
