Maldini Is Determined
Gerrard's Liverpool Have No Fear
Liverpool FC captain Steven Gerrard insists his side have nothing to fear from AC Milan as they look to win the UEFA Champions League for the second time in three seasons.
Liverpool recovered from 3-0 down against Milan in 2005 to win the final on penalties, and as Rafael Benítez's side prepare to take on the Rossoneri again in Athens, Gerrard says confidence is high they can bring the trophy back to Merseyside for a sixth time. "I've watched Milan a lot this season and they are different from 2005, but they are still strong," said Gerrard, who has been offered a new contract by Liverpool.
"They showed against Manchester United [FC] that they are a fantastic team and deserve a lot of respect and that's what we'll give them on the night, but we won't fear them. We're a good team ourselves and we're confident we can do the job. What's important to us is that we prepare right and that the Liverpool team that's been in Europe all season turns up in Athens. If that good team turns up then Milan are in for a really difficult game and we're confident we can lift that cup." Read more.
Maldini Determined To Have Final Say
AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini will do "everything possible" to be fit for the UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool FC in Athens in eight days' time.
The 38-year-old defender has been struggling with a persistent knee injury throughout the season and opted to postpone surgery in order to help the Rossoneri in the latter stages of the campaign. "After the league game against [Calcio] Catania on Sunday my knee swelled up but it was expected," said Maldini, who played for 65 minutes of the 1-1 draw. "I have to have a personalised training programme this week but I know I can be fit for the game against Liverpool. However, I will only play if I'm 100 per cent fit. Otherwise I will have no problems giving up my place to somebody else."
Milan have been crowned European champions on six occasions and Maldini played in four of those finals in 1989, 1990, 1994 and 2003. "I always believed we could reach the final this season," continued the veteran of 23 seasons at San Siro. "Now we have the chance to write another great page in our history. 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." ~from uefa.com
Liverpool FC captain Steven Gerrard insists his side have nothing to fear from AC Milan as they look to win the UEFA Champions League for the second time in three seasons.
Liverpool recovered from 3-0 down against Milan in 2005 to win the final on penalties, and as Rafael Benítez's side prepare to take on the Rossoneri again in Athens, Gerrard says confidence is high they can bring the trophy back to Merseyside for a sixth time. "I've watched Milan a lot this season and they are different from 2005, but they are still strong," said Gerrard, who has been offered a new contract by Liverpool.
"They showed against Manchester United [FC] that they are a fantastic team and deserve a lot of respect and that's what we'll give them on the night, but we won't fear them. We're a good team ourselves and we're confident we can do the job. What's important to us is that we prepare right and that the Liverpool team that's been in Europe all season turns up in Athens. If that good team turns up then Milan are in for a really difficult game and we're confident we can lift that cup." Read more.
Maldini Determined To Have Final Say
AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini will do "everything possible" to be fit for the UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool FC in Athens in eight days' time.
The 38-year-old defender has been struggling with a persistent knee injury throughout the season and opted to postpone surgery in order to help the Rossoneri in the latter stages of the campaign. "After the league game against [Calcio] Catania on Sunday my knee swelled up but it was expected," said Maldini, who played for 65 minutes of the 1-1 draw. "I have to have a personalised training programme this week but I know I can be fit for the game against Liverpool. However, I will only play if I'm 100 per cent fit. Otherwise I will have no problems giving up my place to somebody else."
Milan have been crowned European champions on six occasions and Maldini played in four of those finals in 1989, 1990, 1994 and 2003. "I always believed we could reach the final this season," continued the veteran of 23 seasons at San Siro. "Now we have the chance to write another great page in our history. 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." ~from uefa.com