Champions League final!!!!

[Rhye]

Now then, we've reached the final.

I'll be happy with both the teams as winners: I like Liverpool, and I'm also happy that there's an italian team in the final, though my hatred for Berlusconi.
I admit I enjoied seeing hateful Hiddink and those damn Koreans knocked out in the semifinal. Just a bit of revenge of stolen Italy-S.Korea in WC2002.

However, remember that the poll is about who do you think it's going to win, not your favourite team. Vote by the 25th.

 

[Cilpot]

Liverpool will win. It's a shame they will not be attending next years CL with a victory from this year, though.

 

[WickedSmurf]

Milan by 90´.

 

[Shabbaman]

I admit I enjoied seeing hateful Hiddink and those damn Koreans knocked out in the semifinal. Just a bit of revenge of stolen Italy-S.Korea in WC2002.

Pah, you're biased.

Anyway, I think Milan will win. Simply because they're italian. Besides, I think it's a miracle that Liverpool got this far, and the odds at another miracle seem pretty slim.

1-0 by Shevchenko in the 122nd minute

 

[privatehudson]

I think Liverpool could win it, but it all depends on which Liverpool side we see out there. If they play like they have been playing on their travels for most of this season then they haven't got a hope in hell frankly.

 

[classical_hero]

Milan by 90´.

That I what I think will happen also.

 

[Ville]

I hope Liverpool wins.

 

[MCdread]

I've seen 4 games and a half of Liverpool this season: 3 against Chelsea (in the CL and the League Cup final), the 2nd leg against Juventus and the 2nd half of the 1st leg. This means that so far, I haven't seen Liverpool attacking, I can't even tell if, in need, they can attack, but they surely know how to defend. It can be said that in these games their defending wasn't very tested because they didn't face teams that insist on the wings (no Duff and unfit Robben for Chelsea), but if necessary, they can have two full backs at the same time in the same wing (eg, Riise and Traoré on the left). What I'm saying is that if Liverpool scores first, I see Milan having a hard time levelling the game. Another point is that Milan seems to be going downhill in form in the latest weeks. A couple of months ago I would say that no matter what, Milan was vastly better and huge favourite, but at this point, in a 1 game decision, I don't think that holds anymore. I still think that Milan is slightly favourite, but not by much, because Benítez is as astute as Ancelotti and Liverpool's work ethic is impressive.

 

[privatehudson]

Liverpool have lost something like 14 games this season and only scored twice in them. Twelve of those were away from home and they're... not at Anfield in the final

 

[phoenix_night]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/4530239.stm

Liverpool to wear red in Istanbul
Liverpool will wear their traditional red home kit for the Champions League final against AC Milan on 25 May.

Milan were due to wear their usual red and black stripes after being drawn as the 'home' team.

But the two clubs have agreed that the Italians will play in white - which they wore while beating Juventus to claim the Champions League in 2003.

Liverpool's four previous European Cup victories have come while wearing red against teams playing in white.

I'll vote for Liverpool, but really it's just because I want them to win. Go Liverpool!

 

[privatehudson]

I don't

 

[naervod]

I really hope Liverpool wins. I'm not going to even try and make a prediction because Liverpool have been so erratic this season, and they could either run over Milan or get run over by Milan.

 

[privatehudson]

I don't hope they win because if they do, they'll kick up a stink and complain to UEFA until they're allowed to compete in next years competition. Given that this can only happen by throwing out another club I think that's grossly unfair. Another club shouldn't be punished for Liverpool's inability to perform in the league this season.

So to avoid that I'd rather see Milan win.

 

[JJP]

Milan. Because they are Italian.

 

[Volum]

I almost more and more hopeing that Liverpool win because i would like to see the UEFA and F.A trying to figure out what to do. Specially the F.A who apparantley had changed the rules this season, but very few new about it.

 

[privatehudson]

The FA won't even bother, they've made their decision already on the matter. UEFA will probably end up throwing out either Everton (which I garuntee you will cause a truckload of problems) or some team from the continent either at random or from a smaller country, or leave Liverpool out. I'm not sure anyone can really ever justify to that club that may be removed why they're punished for Liverpool's poor league form.

I'm not sure the FA changed the rules either, the supposed "ruling" from last season which suggested that in the same situation, the 4th placed team are placed in the UEFA cup was not a ruling at all. The FA later said it was a publication of one interpretation of the guidlines from UEFA, not their policy.

 

[Inter4]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/4530239.stm



I'll vote for Liverpool, but really it's just because I want them to win. Go Liverpool!

Somthing that article doesn't say: Milan have won most of their Champions Cups wearing white, they even insisted in playing in white against Juventus in 2003

 

[phoenix_night]

Somthing that article doesn't say: Milan have won most of their Champions Cups wearing white, they even insisted in playing in white against Juventus in 2003

Read the article and you'll see they've done the same thing this year.

 

[CruddyLeper]

Well, my heart says Liverpool. My head says that's going to be a very tough game for them.

If they DO win and yet don't make it to CL next season, that could actually be a good thing for them. Fewer games to play, much less travelling, fitter players, would all give them a better chance at the Premiership. Less Cup money, but on the other hand they'd be paying less appearance fees as well.

 

[naervod]

I was thinking and agreeing with the fact that Liverpool should be punished for their poor league form (though 5th place isn't too poor), but then I thought of the converse of that. Liverpool have had excellent CL form, so if Liverpool do win, and aren't allowed to play, why should they be punished despite their excellent European form. Even if Liverpool manages 5th behind 4 other very good teams, surely the fact that they have beaten Juve, Chelsea, and possibly Milan would earn them a place in next year's Champion's League.

However, I also would feel strongly if Everton were denied a European place as they have played well too. One interesting possibility I just thought of was that this season, the Kazakh association did not give a license to their club to participate in European competion. I'm not sure exactly how things were rearranged after that, but I'm thinking, could Liverpool if they win get an extra place if an incident like this occurs? You might have to move some teams down qualifying rounds, but you would not deny them the opportunity to participate, plus, they would probably win the match they played in if they were moved down a qualifying round. I don't know if it would work, but it could be worth a shot.