How AC Milan rated

Dida The Brazilian has his critics, but made a great save to thwart Jermaine Pennant in the tenth minute and denied Steven Gerrard when clean through during the second period 7

Massimo Oddo Looked more comfortable going forward than defending or chasing back, even if Boudewijn Zenden hardly provided the most challenging of opponents 5

Alessandro Nesta Erred only once, when he stumbled in the 62nd minute to give Gerrard a sight of goal, but otherwise solid, even if he benefited from Liverpool’s decision to play one striker 6

Expert View

Yesterday's scheduled miracle failed to take place

Simon Barnes

• More

• Post a comment

BACKGROUND

• Luck runs out for Liverpool

• Dreams lie in ruins for Liverpool

• No way back for Liverpool

• How the teams rated

• Flood of forged tickets deepens fans' trauma

Multimedia

• European Cup Final 2007

• AC Milan v Liverpool clockwatch

Related Links

• Italian press quick to rub salt into the wound

• Show clearly not for the benefit of Mr Kuyt

• Benitez turns attention to forward thinking

Paolo Maldini Thirty-eight going on 18. The legendary Italian equalled Paco Gento’s record of appearing in eight European Cup finals and scarcely put a foot wrong. Has there been a better defender? 7

Marek Jankulovski May have made light work of Cristiano Ronaldo in the semi-final, second leg against Manchester United, but he was given a torrid time by Pennant and was booked 4

Andrea Pirlo It all looks so easy when the Italian is on the ball. Sprayed passes with a nonchalance bordering on the arrogant and struck the free kick from which Filippo Inzaghi scored 7

Gennaro Gattuso Will have done little to change Gerrard’s belief that he is overrated, but then he was never really put to the test by Zenden. Retained composure after first-half booking 5

Massimo Ambrosini Went about his business with the minimum of fuss, as is his wont, even if he never really dominated the midfield. Efficient performance but nothing more 6

Clarence Seedorf The Dutchman did not scale the heights he did against United in the semi-final and spent most of his time tracking back to help to stem the threat posed by Pennant 5

Kaká Not at his blistering best but always a willing runner and won the free kick from which Inzaghi scored before setting up his strike partner’s second with a sublime pass 7

Filippo Inzaghi Regarded as one of the luckiest forwards alive and justified that billing when Pirlo’s free kick deflected in off his shoulder. No luck involved for his second, though 7

Substitutes

Kakha Kaladze (for Jankulovski, 79min); Alberto Gilardino (for Inzaghi, 88); Giuseppe Favalli (for Seedorf, 90). Not used Zeljko Kalac, Cafu, Serginho, Cristian Brocchi Booked Gattuso, Jankulovski

How Liverpool rated

José Manuel Reina Not even Reina could have done anything to prevent AC Milan’s opening goal, although the Spaniard will have been disappointed not to keep out Filippo Inzaghi’s second 6

Steve Finnan Jamie Carragher may be the rock in Liverpool’s defence, but Finnan is Mr Dependable. Did not put a foot wrong all night, even though he might have ventured forward a little more 6

Jamie Carragher Only once did Kaká and Inzaghi get the better of the England defender, who started as he meant to go on by making an heroic block in the opening stages 6

Daniel Agger Lucky to escape a booking in the first half after being caught horribly flatfooted by the nimble Kaká and was caught out by the Brazilian’s pass for Inzaghi’s second 5

John Arne Riise A few blistering, if wayward, drives aside, the Norwegian was not at his best, even if he did little wrong. Seemed somewhat frustrated at left back 5

Jermaine Pennant A surprise starter but, ultimately, an entirely justified one, Pennant looked as though he had been playing at this level for as long as Paolo Maldini 7

Javier Mascherano Never gave Kaká the time and space in which to weave his magic, but was never dominant. Unfortunate to be booked and made way as Liverpool chased an equaliser 6

Xabi Alonso Came close to giving Liverpool the lead but his shot from just outside the penalty area flew past a post. Will rue conceding the free kick from which Milan scored their first goal 6

Boudewijn Zenden If only he had proved as elusive as the Greek fan who invaded the pitch in the second half. The Dutchman looked out of his depth and must surely be sold this summer 4

Steven Gerrard Should have done better when clean through in the 62nd minute, but despite his best efforts, struggled to make the kind of impact he did in Istanbul two years ago 6

Dirk Kuyt Worked tirelessly up front and finally got the goal that his efforts deserved late on, even if he looked terribly isolated in attack for much of the match 6

Substitutes Harry Kewell (for Zenden, 59) 5; Peter Crouch (for Mascherano, 78); Álvaro Arbeloa (for Finnan, 88). Not used Jerzy Dudek, Sami Hyypia, Mark González, Craig Bellamy. Booked Mascherano, Carragher

Referee: Herbert Fandel (Germany): A sound performance 7

How the managers rated

Carlo Ancelotti
7/10

Tactics
The decision to start with Inzaghi rather than Gilardino paid off handsomely as the Italy striker popped up with two precious goals. Ancelotti has been haunted by Milan’s defeat in Istanbul two years ago, but with this selection the coach at least provided the platform for his players to avenge that loss.

Substitutions
Jankulovski was rightly removed after being given a run-around by Pennant, and Kaladze looked far more assured, but otherwise the Italian’s other tweaks were tactical as Milan ran down the clock, despite being given a late scare when Kuyt popped up to score at the death and ensure a nervy finish.

Rant watch
Calm and composed throughout, although what else should we expect from a man who is so used to this stage? Ancelotti merely reaffirmed his status as one of Europe’s great tacticians. Indeed, it takes a great coach to upstage BenÍtez in this competition, but then that is precisely what Ancelotti is.

Rafael BenÍtez
6/10

Tactics
The deployment of Pennant on the right worked a treat. Unfortunately, Zenden’s inclusion on the opposite side did not. BenÍtez’s decision to use one striker backfired to some extent because Kuyt was sometimes too isolated, despite Gerrard’s efforts to support him. An early goal would have helped.

Substitutions
Crouch’s introduction came too late, while Zenden’s substitution was a blessing. Kewell could do little better than the Dutchman, however, and BenÍtez was left to rue the decision to start with one forward. The decision to introduce Arbeloa at the death rather than Bellamy was strange.

Rant watch
The Spaniard became increasingly anxious and his hand movements more frenetic as the game went on. This is not a man used to losing in Europe’s premier club competition and the disappointment that was etched on his face at the final whistle spoke volumes. He knew that he had got it wrong.