GREECE: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Rafael Benitez predicts a low-scoring final while Carlo Ancelotti says Milan deserve to be European champions

Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez warned fans not to expect another six-goal thriller when his side face AC Milan in the Champions League final for the second time in three seasons on Wednesday (May 23). Two years ago Milan raced into a 3-0 half-time lead before Liverpool fought back to draw 3-3 then win the Champions League 3-2 on penalties in Istanbul. In his last news conference on Tuesday (May 22) before his side meet Milan again, Benitez said: "The final, the last final, two years ago was the best final in the history of the competition. I don't think we will see a game like this. "If you say to me 'do you want to see this kind of game?', if the final score is the same, yes. But if it is not I think I will need a doctor and I prefer to think about.... it will be a tough game, difficult for both sides. I don't think we will see a lot of goals." Benitez said all his squad were fit and only midfielders Boudewijn Zenden and Momo Sissoko were slightly doubtful although he expected both to be fully fit by Wednesday. Australian forward Harry Kewell, who missed most of the season because of injury but appeared in the last two league matches as a substitute, was also fit. Norwegian John-Arne Riise, one of nine men still in the Liverpool squad who started against Milan two years ago, said: "We know Milan have good players who can finish the game off so it's not only about Kaka. But we have to do our best to stop him as well." Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti believes that a points deduction which nearly ruled AC Milan out of the Champions League has made them all the more determined to beat Liverpool. Milan were punished last year for their part in a Serie A match-rigging scandal and UEFA came close to refusing them permission to play in the qualifiers. The six-times European champions were eventually given reluctant clearance to play by the ruling body. Ancelotti told a news conference on Tuesday: "Milan reached the final deservedly, perhaps more than other teams because this year we were affected in the Italian league with a points deduction, as you know, and last summer we didn't have the time to prepare ourselves properly. If we are lucky enough to win this competition I think we truly deserve it." Milan captain Paolo Maldini will be playing in a record-equalling eighth European Cup final if he appears as expected on Wednesday. Asked if a defeat would be black mark against his career, the 38-year-old defender replied: "Obviously there has been a lot of ups and downs over 23 years. The result of the final will not change my career. It has been a high profile career."

ITN Source | May 23, 2007

Tags:. .score. .forward. .tough. .affected. .injury