AC Milan against Liverpool

GOAL: AC MILAN 2-1 LIVERPOOL

The Milan fans are in raptures. They may be outnumbered but they're making themsleves heard in Athens.

Crouch crashes a fierce strike goalward forcing Dida to make a fingertip save. It was straight at him and straight-forward for the Brazilian.

Milan are now within touching distance of securing the sweetest of revenge. But let's not rule out Liverpool just yet.

If anyone's deserved a goal for Milan it's FILIPPO INZAGHI. Kaka thread a beautiful pass through to him and the Italian rounded Reina, kept his cool and slotted home Milan's second.

GOAL: AC MILAN 2-0 LIVERPOOL

Let-off for Liverpool as Inzaghi completely misjudges Ambosini's cross. It fell to his feet but he wasn't expecting it and the ball falls to safety.

The response from Ancelotti? A defensive switch with Kaladze on for Jankulovski.

Here comes the change. It's Mascherano who makes way and Crouch comes on to bolster the front line with him and Kuyt leading the attack.

Milan corner but don't let that fool you into thinking Milan can threaten. They send a meagre two men into the box and the vast amounts of red shirts mop up with ease.

But it's Liverpool who look to change things as Peter Crouch gets ready to make an entrance.

I'm no coach but Milan need to make a change to freshen things up. They're not throwing too many numbers forward and look turgid and far from sharp.

Milan waste a rare chance going forward. Kaka selfishly fails to pick out Inzaghi who had made a promising run down the left channel and Liverpool clear.

Milan seem content to let Liverpool come at them and and try their luck. Gerrard hits one from range and it whistles past Dida's right post.

Not a good tempo to the game I'm afraid. I must say that I'm hugely disappointed with Milan so far. They haven't done anywhere near enough to win the game despite their 1-0 lead.

Riise cracks one from the left edge of the box but drills his effort well wide of Dida's goal.

Milan are ragged and have a brittle edge about them tonight. It's up to Liverpool now to punish them and take advantage of such a below-par performance.

Italian teams are known for closing out games and shutting up shop. But they're giving the ball away, failing to clear their lines and giving Liverpool every incentive to get back into this game.

Milan in truth, loko like a shambles out there. They've given the ball away far too many times and are hanging on in there.

Gerrard should have scored. Poor miss from the Liverpool skipper and Milan's lead remains intact. He took advantage of sloppy defending from Nesta but couldn't direct his side-foot shot past Dida.

From the free-kick Pirlo guides his set-piece up and over the wall but not enough to test Reina.

Jamie Carragher becomes the second Liverpool booking in as many minutes after pulling back Pirlo who had streaked beyond the centre-back.

A change for Liverpool and the ineffective Zenden comes off and Harry Kewell comes on.

As I speak, he crunches into Pirlo and earns himself a yellow card. Typical!

Another supurbly timed challenge by Mascherano on Kaka. He's got him in his pocket tonight and pulled off some crucial challenges.

Liverpool survive a rare Milan break thanks to the linesman's flag. He wrongly adjudges Kaka to be offside when he was clearly on. Poor.

Jankulovski is harshly brandished a yellow card. He just clipped Pennant but it was enough to make the referee reach into his back pocket.

Milan are certainly there to be beaten. They are far from their best and you feel that Liverpool are more than capable of getting back into this game.

Liverpool are on the front foot again and are forcing the issue as you would expect. But Milan haven't yet come out of the blocks.

Milan give the ball away again! They can't have learnt too much from the first half where they were constantly giving the ball away.

Agger rises well but can't get any purchase on it and it drops harmlessly wide.

Superb tackle from Nesta on Gerrard give Liverpool an early corner.

Play resumes.

Here we go then. The players are back out and there are no changes at the break.

A short break for me and we'll be back to give you the second half live as it happens.

AC Milan have a fortunate lead at the break. Liverpool have done all the pressing and have been on the front foot throughout. Milan's first decent chance ends with a goal and the Italian side leave the field buzzing.

HALF-TIME: AC MILAN 1-0 LIVERPOOL

Milan have done hardly anything of note this half butthat won't bother the Italians. They will head into the break 1-0 up after FILIPPO INZAGHI gives them a priceless lead. Andrea Pirlo's free-kick from 20 yards beat the wall and deflected off the striker and into the net. Reina was already diving the wrong way and had no chance of keeping it out.

GOAL: AC MILAN 1-0 LIVERPOOL

Liverpool certainly enjoying more possession in advanced areas. They're keeping the ball far better too. When Milan break they are being stifled by the Reds midfield.

Gattuso becomes the first to have his name taken by the referee. He lunged in on Xabi Alonso and caught him after the ball had gone and can have no complaints.

Mascherano is having his way with Kaka at the moment. The Brazilian is struggling to break the shackles of his Argentine marker so far.

Milan just cannot keep the ball. Pirlo, Kaka and Gattuso all guilty of giving up the ball. They're contributing to their own downfall, although Liverpool are pressuring them all over the pitch.

Great chance for Kuyt after a bursting run into the box from Gerrard. It fell to Kuyt who hit it first time, but Nesta dives at his feet to make a crucial break.

Mis-placed passes, sloppy control, overhit crosses. I'm afraid that's what weve got at the moment. Not a great deal to shout about and this game desperately needs a spark.

Riise cracks one from 30 yards. he drills through it but can't keep it down and it fizzes over.

Milan on the back foot somewhat but the quality of passing and crossing isn't what you would hope for in a final.

Oddo is making decent progress down the right also, but the delivery from his side is only giving Reina catching practice.

Fizzing drive from Xabi Alonso arcs away from Dida's right post and narrowly wide. It was a good move from Liverpool that stretched Milan and the Reds are starting to get on top now.

Exquisite piece of individual skill by Kaka lifts the Milan support momentarily before a series of sloppy passing hands possession straight back to Liverpool.

Pennant finds Gerrard on the edge of the box and slashes a half-volley high and wide. No real danger but good running from Gerrard.

A few scrappy fouls disrupting play at the moment. Agger body checks Kaka and luckily escapes a booking.

But other than Jankulovski's forays down the flank, Milan have struggled to impose any authority on the game.

Jankulovski has been by far Milan's best outlet so far. He's made good inrodes down his left flank and delivered some dangerous crosses. Inzaghi though has yet to get on the end of one.

Kaka at last gets on the ball and it's his first real involvement in the game. He fires a bouncing shot from 25 yards that makes Reina dive to his left and make a comfortable save. It was speculative but well worth hitting.

Pretty even so far. Decent start for Liverpool with that half chance for Pennant. Not much coming from Milan at the moment. Kaka and Seedorf have hardly seen the ball as of yet.

Inzaghi almost catches out the Liverpool back line after beating the offside trap. He can't quite bring down Pirlo's scoopred through ball and it runs through to Reina.

Pennant gets into a good position again down the right but plays a shocking cut back to his skipper Gerrard who can do nothing with the chipped pass.

Samashing save from Dida and that's the first chance of the game. It was Jankulovski's mistake that gave Pennant his chance on the edge of the box and he cut it across goal forcing Dida to dive low to his right and pull off the save.

It's been a tame start no doubt about it. Both teams still felling each other out and not too many risks being taken so far.

Seedorf gets into a fine position but just fails to control Jankulovski's fierce cross. He was unmarked and the delivery should have been better from the full-back.

Two dangerous cross from either side are whipped into the Liverpool box and cleared by Carragher who throws himself in the line of the ball.

The stadium is built for athletics anf famously held the 2004 Olympics. Their will need to be some athletic performances from all concerned tonight.

Electric atmosphere inside the stadium and weather pretty much perfect for football. No rain, not too hot and clear as you like.

Milan are in white, by the way, meaning Liverpool are in their favoured all red strip.

Nice start for Liverpool. Gerrard immediately gets involved and almost finds the onrushing Pennant on the right. He can't quite get there and it goes behind for a goal-kick.

Here we go then! Liverpool get us under way to a huge roar.

Let me tell you about the support tonight. The Merseyside contingent far outnumber those from Italy. The majority of the stadium is red and singing loud and proud.

And out they come. They emerge and walk past the famous trophy on to the pitch. The spectacle of the opening ceremony ceases and we're ready for the main event.

The players are in the tunnel and preparing for the grand entrance to this spectacular arena. Gattuso struts around geeing up his players, while others are calmly composing themselves.

The pitch is now awash with dancers, drummers, acrobats, you name it. Great colour and and wonderful fanfare to get us all in the mood. So far the Greeks have done a pretty good job.

I don't know about you but I'm well up for this! I may be an Englishman but I'm as neutral on this game as the next man. This is the rematch Milan have been hoping for since that night in Istanbul and the chance for Liverpool to claim their sixth European Cup.

No surprises but plenty of alarms in the Milan line-up. Fillippo Inzaghi is preferred up front in place of Alberto Gilardino in an otherwise expected starting XI.

The teams are in and Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez adopts a slightly different formation with Steven Gerrard taking up a role just behind the lone striker Dirk Kuyt. Elsewhere, Boudewijn Zenden starts on the left wing and Jermaine Pennant down the right.

The players are currently being put through their paces out on the pitch in their warm-up routines. The stadium is beginning to fill up and kick-off is 30 minutes away.

Hello and welcome to Soccernet's live commentary of the 2007 UEFA Champions League final. I have the pleasure of taking you through what I hope will be a classic finale to this magnificent competition.

Not a good tempo to the game I'm afraid. I must say that I'm hugely disappointed with Milan so far. They haven't done anywhere near enough to win the game despite their 1-0 lead.

Riise cracks one from the left edge of the box but drills his effort well wide of Dida's goal.

Milan are ragged and have a brittle edge about them tonight. It's up to Liverpool now to punish them and take advantage of such a below-par performance.

Italian teams are known for closing out games and shutting up shop. But they're giving the ball away, failing to clear their lines and giving Liverpool every incentive to get back into this game.

Milan in truth, loko like a shambles out there. They've given the ball away far too many times and are hanging on in there.

Gerrard should have scored. Poor miss from the Liverpool skipper and Milan's lead remains intact. He took advantage of sloppy defending from Nesta but couldn't direct his side-foot shot past Dida.

From the free-kick Pirlo guides his set-piece up and over the wall but not enough to test Reina.

Jamie Carragher becomes the second Liverpool booking in as many minutes after pulling back Pirlo who had streaked beyond the centre-back.

A change for Liverpool and the ineffective Zenden comes off and Harry Kewell comes on.

As I speak, he crunches into Pirlo and earns himself a yellow card. Typical!

Another supurbly timed challenge by Mascherano on Kaka. He's got him in his pocket tonight and pulled off some crucial challenges.

Liverpool survive a rare Milan break thanks to the linesman's flag. He wrongly adjudges Kaka to be offside when he was clearly on. Poor.

Jankulovski is harshly brandished a yellow card. He just clipped Pennant but it was enough to make the referee reach into his back pocket.

Milan are certainly there to be beaten. They are far from their best and you feel that Liverpool are more than capable of getting back into this game.

Liverpool are on the front foot again and are forcing the issue as you would expect. But Milan haven't yet come out of the blocks.

Milan give the ball away again! They can't have learnt too much from the first half where they were constantly giving the ball away.

Agger rises well but can't get any purchase on it and it drops harmlessly wide.

Superb tackle from Nesta on Gerrard give Liverpool an early corner.

Play resumes.

Here we go then. The players are back out and there are no changes at the break.

A short break for me and we'll be back to give you the second half live as it happens.

AC Milan have a fortunate lead at the break. Liverpool have done all the pressing and have been on the front foot throughout. Milan's first decent chance ends with a goal and the Italian side leave the field buzzing.

HALF-TIME: AC MILAN 1-0 LIVERPOOL

Milan have done hardly anything of note this half butthat won't bother the Italians. They will head into the break 1-0 up after FILIPPO INZAGHI gives them a priceless lead. Andrea Pirlo's free-kick from 20 yards beat the wall and deflected off the striker and into the net. Reina was already diving the wrong way and had no chance of keeping it out.

GOAL: AC MILAN 1-0 LIVERPOOL

Liverpool certainly enjoying more possession in advanced areas. They're keeping the ball far better too. When Milan break they are being stifled by the Reds midfield.

Gattuso becomes the first to have his name taken by the referee. He lunged in on Xabi Alonso and caught him after the ball had gone and can have no complaints.

Mascherano is having his way with Kaka at the moment. The Brazilian is struggling to break the shackles of his Argentine marker so far.

Milan just cannot keep the ball. Pirlo, Kaka and Gattuso all guilty of giving up the ball. They're contributing to their own downfall, although Liverpool are pressuring them all over the pitch.

Great chance for Kuyt after a bursting run into the box from Gerrard. It fell to Kuyt who hit it first time, but Nesta dives at his feet to make a crucial break.

Mis-placed passes, sloppy control, overhit crosses. I'm afraid that's what weve got at the moment. Not a great deal to shout about and this game desperately needs a spark.

Riise cracks one from 30 yards. he drills through it but can't keep it down and it fizzes over.

Milan on the back foot somewhat but the quality of passing and crossing isn't what you would hope for in a final.

Oddo is making decent progress down the right also, but the delivery from his side is only giving Reina catching practice.

Fizzing drive from Xabi Alonso arcs away from Dida's right post and narrowly wide. It was a good move from Liverpool that stretched Milan and the Reds are starting to get on top now.

Exquisite piece of individual skill by Kaka lifts the Milan support momentarily before a series of sloppy passing hands possession straight back to Liverpool.

Pennant finds Gerrard on the edge of the box and slashes a half-volley high and wide. No real danger but good running from Gerrard.

A few scrappy fouls disrupting play at the moment. Agger body checks Kaka and luckily escapes a booking.

But other than Jankulovski's forays down the flank, Milan have struggled to impose any authority on the game.

Jankulovski has been by far Milan's best outlet so far. He's made good inrodes down his left flank and delivered some dangerous crosses. Inzaghi though has yet to get on the end of one.

Kaka at last gets on the ball and it's his first real involvement in the game. He fires a bouncing shot from 25 yards that makes Reina dive to his left and make a comfortable save. It was speculative but well worth hitting.

Pretty even so far. Decent start for Liverpool with that half chance for Pennant. Not much coming from Milan at the moment. Kaka and Seedorf have hardly seen the ball as of yet.

Inzaghi almost catches out the Liverpool back line after beating the offside trap. He can't quite bring down Pirlo's scoopred through ball and it runs through to Reina.

Pennant gets into a good position again down the right but plays a shocking cut back to his skipper Gerrard who can do nothing with the chipped pass.

Samashing save from Dida and that's the first chance of the game. It was Jankulovski's mistake that gave Pennant his chance on the edge of the box and he cut it across goal forcing Dida to dive low to his right and pull off the save.

It's been a tame start no doubt about it. Both teams still felling each other out and not too many risks being taken so far.

Seedorf gets into a fine position but just fails to control Jankulovski's fierce cross. He was unmarked and the delivery should have been better from the full-back.

Two dangerous cross from either side are whipped into the Liverpool box and cleared by Carragher who throws himself in the line of the ball.

The stadium is built for athletics anf famously held the 2004 Olympics. Their will need to be some athletic performances from all concerned tonight.

Electric atmosphere inside the stadium and weather pretty much perfect for football. No rain, not too hot and clear as you like.

Milan are in white, by the way, meaning Liverpool are in their favoured all red strip.

Nice start for Liverpool. Gerrard immediately gets involved and almost finds the onrushing Pennant on the right. He can't quite get there and it goes behind for a goal-kick.

Here we go then! Liverpool get us under way to a huge roar.

Let me tell you about the support tonight. The Merseyside contingent far outnumber those from Italy. The majority of the stadium is red and singing loud and proud.

And out they come. They emerge and walk past the famous trophy on to the pitch. The spectacle of the opening ceremony ceases and we're ready for the main event.

The players are in the tunnel and preparing for the grand entrance to this spectacular arena. Gattuso struts around geeing up his players, while others are calmly composing themselves.

The pitch is now awash with dancers, drummers, acrobats, you name it. Great colour and and wonderful fanfare to get us all in the mood. So far the Greeks have done a pretty good job.

I don't know about you but I'm well up for this! I may be an Englishman but I'm as neutral on this game as the next man. This is the rematch Milan have been hoping for since that night in Istanbul and the chance for Liverpool to claim their sixth European Cup.

No surprises but plenty of alarms in the Milan line-up. Fillippo Inzaghi is preferred up front in place of Alberto Gilardino in an otherwise expected starting XI.

The teams are in and Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez adopts a slightly different formation with Steven Gerrard taking up a role just behind the lone striker Dirk Kuyt. Elsewhere, Boudewijn Zenden starts on the left wing and Jermaine Pennant down the right.

The players are currently being put through their paces out on the pitch in their warm-up routines. The stadium is beginning to fill up and kick-off is 30 minutes away.

Hello and welcome to Soccernet's live commentary of the 2007 UEFA Champions League final. I have the pleasure of taking you through what I hope will be a classic finale to this magnificent competition.