The modern era of the Champions League has thrown up some classic final encounters in the years between 2000 and 2007.
More often than not, the two best teams of the campaign end up slugging it out for Europe’s top prize, and something has to give.
The line between winning and losing this match is a fine one, but there is often something seen in the final which illustratres the difference between the two sides.
2007: AC Milan ‘A Poacher’
The 2007 final in Greece was hardly a classic, but the difference between the sides was Pippo Inzaghi, a footballer who often splits opinion about his abilities but silences most with his goals record and trophies tally. At 34 years old and hardly the quickest player, many didn’t see him causing Jamie Carragher a problem.
Inzaghi is rumoured to only eat pasta without sauce to maintain his condition—however, it was his backside that deflected a Pirlo free-kick for the first goal. His second was born of a superb Kaka pass, but unlike Liverpool, Milan had Inzaghi at hand to finish the move, rounding Reina to score and seal the tie.
Of course, Dirk Kuyt was to make the last few minutes nervy ones for the Rossonieri faithful, but too often Liverpool's fine play ended in the final third.
The difference between the two sides was ‘A Poacher’—and that poacher was Pippo Inzaghi.
2006: Barcelona ‘Inspired Subsitution’
As time ran out in Paris, a defence which hadn’t conceded a goal in the Champions League for 10 matches looked to hold out and secure Arsenal the first ever European Cup success in their history. Samuel Eto'o had been poor, as had Ronaldinho. Frank Rijkaard needed to take action as his team were running out of ideas.
Rijkaard brought on Henrik Larsson for Mark van Bommel and the rest was history. With two defence splitting passes, Larsson set up Eto’o and Beletti, and the game was finished for 10-man Arsenal.
Thierry Henry remarked "People always talk about Ronaldinho and Eto'o, but I didn't see them today—I saw Henrik Larsson. He came on—he changed the game, that is what killed the game. You need to talk about the proper footballer who made the difference, and that was Henrik Larsson tonight."
It must have been difficult for Henry to admit but he was right, and having this option to come on from the bench was devastating and an ‘inspired substitution’ by Rijkaard.
2005: Liverpool ‘Refusal to Accept Defeat’
At halftime in Istanbul, Liverpool trudged off the pitch despondent, having been outclassed by AC Milan.
Forget talk of Milan players celebrating a win already the seven--time champions know exactly what is required to win a European Cup and premature celebrations are something Carlo Ancelotti would not tolerate. Perhaps Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez played up this talk of Milan celebrations to gee up his players.
That he certainly did.
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