mohammed farah
IB Veteran
- Messages
- 636
- Reaction score
- 88
Champions League final
Date: Wednesday, 23 May
Kick-off: 1945 BST
Venue: Olympic Stadium, Athens
Watch (in UK): ITV1 and Sky Sports One
Listen: BBC Radio Five Live
Liverpool's Boudewijn Zenden is set to be passed fit for the Champions League final against AC Milan.
The winger has been doubtful with an ankle injury, but should be available to start on the left side.
Reds boss Rafael Benitez said: "He looks like he will be OK, he has trained and I expect him to be fit."
Benitez is expected to play a five-man midfield with skipper Steven Gerrard likely to occupy a supporting role to lone striker Dirk Kuyt.
AC Milan fielded virtually a second-string side in their 3-2 defeat to Udinese at the San Siro on Saturday.
The Italians have been boosted by the return from a knee injury of veteran defender Paolo Maldini, who will play in his eighth final.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti's biggest task is between Filippo Inzaghi and Alberto Gilardino to play up front.
Ancelotti admitted he has already decided who will lead the line but was keeping his cards close to his chest.
"Inzaghi scores more goals, but Gilardino's support work is better," he said. "I've already decided on my team but I haven't told the players yet.
"Everyone deserves to play, not only the eleven who start the match. We will have to play our own game in the knowledge it will be difficult to play the ball around against a team that gives very little space.
"But I can say that the squad is in good shape. We have worked well, and we are ready for Wednedsay."
Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant looks likely to start the match on the right, just two years after he was in prison for motoring offences, while Harry Kewell is on standby if Zenden does not make it.
Momo Sissoko has been struggling with injury but even if he is passed fit he is likely to miss out on a midfield slot.
But Liverpool's first-choice keeper Jose Reina and back-up Jerzy Dudek have both shook off injuries.
Reina will join a select band of just three father and sons who have appeared in European Cup finals.
Miguel Sanchez and his son, also Miguel, achieved that feat for Real Madrid, Cesare and Paolo Maldini did so for Milan, and now Miguel and Jose Reina, for Atletico Madrid and Liverpool.
German official Herbert Fandel will referee Wednesday's game in the Olympic Stadium.
Fandel, 43, has been in charge of three of Liverpool's Champions League matches - the last being the 1-0 defeat by Barcelona at Anfield in March - and he has handled five Milan matches in the European Cup.
Carsten Kadach and Volker Wezel are assistant referees, with Florian Meyer the fourth official.
WHO DO YOU THINK WILL WIN?
Date: Wednesday, 23 May
Kick-off: 1945 BST
Venue: Olympic Stadium, Athens
Watch (in UK): ITV1 and Sky Sports One
Listen: BBC Radio Five Live
Liverpool's Boudewijn Zenden is set to be passed fit for the Champions League final against AC Milan.
The winger has been doubtful with an ankle injury, but should be available to start on the left side.
Reds boss Rafael Benitez said: "He looks like he will be OK, he has trained and I expect him to be fit."
Benitez is expected to play a five-man midfield with skipper Steven Gerrard likely to occupy a supporting role to lone striker Dirk Kuyt.
AC Milan fielded virtually a second-string side in their 3-2 defeat to Udinese at the San Siro on Saturday.
The Italians have been boosted by the return from a knee injury of veteran defender Paolo Maldini, who will play in his eighth final.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti's biggest task is between Filippo Inzaghi and Alberto Gilardino to play up front.
Ancelotti admitted he has already decided who will lead the line but was keeping his cards close to his chest.
"Inzaghi scores more goals, but Gilardino's support work is better," he said. "I've already decided on my team but I haven't told the players yet.
"Everyone deserves to play, not only the eleven who start the match. We will have to play our own game in the knowledge it will be difficult to play the ball around against a team that gives very little space.
"But I can say that the squad is in good shape. We have worked well, and we are ready for Wednedsay."
Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant looks likely to start the match on the right, just two years after he was in prison for motoring offences, while Harry Kewell is on standby if Zenden does not make it.
Momo Sissoko has been struggling with injury but even if he is passed fit he is likely to miss out on a midfield slot.
But Liverpool's first-choice keeper Jose Reina and back-up Jerzy Dudek have both shook off injuries.
Reina will join a select band of just three father and sons who have appeared in European Cup finals.
Miguel Sanchez and his son, also Miguel, achieved that feat for Real Madrid, Cesare and Paolo Maldini did so for Milan, and now Miguel and Jose Reina, for Atletico Madrid and Liverpool.
German official Herbert Fandel will referee Wednesday's game in the Olympic Stadium.
Fandel, 43, has been in charge of three of Liverpool's Champions League matches - the last being the 1-0 defeat by Barcelona at Anfield in March - and he has handled five Milan matches in the European Cup.
Carsten Kadach and Volker Wezel are assistant referees, with Florian Meyer the fourth official.
WHO DO YOU THINK WILL WIN?
That's it..Milan won it already! :-\
But overall...Liverpool's performance was decent.
