Sports / Soccer |
Ancelotti says Milan deserves to be in final(Ticker)Updated: 2007-05-23 08:35 AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti believes his team fully deserves to be in the Champions League final despite having their reputation tarnished by the match-fixing scandal. The Rossoneri began the Serie A season with an eight-point deduction, but were allowed to enter pre-qualifying in the European tournament and have now made it all the way to the title game against Liverpool in Athens, Greece. Moreover, the Rossoneri have secured their place in the competition next season with a strong finish in the domestic league. "We have deserved this final," Ancelotti said. "Perhaps more than any other team considering the punishment we were handed. If we win this competition we will fully merit the trophy.'' Milan also has struggled with injuries this campaign but Ancelotti will have all his players available for Wednesday's contest. "It has been the most difficult season since I've been at AC Milan," Ancelotti. "But the positive thing is that there has been a great harmony within the team and the club. "We have tried to resolve our problems and I can say that they have been resolved. Considering what we have gone through this season we are very strong going into the final." Ancelotti remains optimistic his team will not be haunted by their last meeting with Liverpool two years ago in Istanbul. Rafael Benitez's team were triumphant in a penalty shoot-out having battled back from a 3-0 half-time deficit. "This is a new adventure for us and we hope this time it goes our way," Ancelotti said. "That game back then was played and won by Liverpool, this is a different story." Unlike that encounter in Turkey, Ancelotti will not have the likes of former AC Milan strikers Hernan Crespo or Andriy Shevchenko to terrorise Liverpool's defence. "Perhaps on the cards we are inferior to the team that played two years ago," the Rossoneri coach said. "But from a psychological point of view, we are stronger." Milan will be hoping for the same outcome they have already secured against British opposition this season, beating Celtic and Manchester United on their way to the final although Ancelotti believes this is of little significance. "Liverpool have a Latin mentality when they play, especially in defence," he said. "Our past games don't give us much of an indication with respect to the final. "We want to win, it's not going to be easy and we will do everything in our power to get there. The important thing will be to impose our quality and I think Liverpool will try to do the same. Ancelotti confirmed he will not man-mark Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. "Gerrard has a lot of quality," he said. "He is charismatic but you cannot just focus on one player. "Our rival is Liverpool not Gerrard." |
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