Soccer: Tough calls for rival coaches

MILAN - AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti and Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez have to make two major decisions over their starting line-ups for the Champions League final in Istanbul on Thursday.

Ancelotti must decide whether to pair veteran Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta in central defence, leaving the Georgian Kakha Kaladze at left back and Dutchman Jaap Stam on the bench.

He must also choose between Hernan Crespo or Filippo Inzaghi in attack.

Benitez has a similar dilemma, with Igor Biscan and Dietmar Hamann vying for a midfield slot and Milan Baros and Djibril Cisse in contention to lead the Merseysiders' front line.

Ancelotti's defensive alternative is for Stam to partner Nesta, with captain Maldini moving to his old role at left back.

Two players are competing to partner European Footballer of the Year Andriy Shevchenko in the Milan attack. Crespo, of Argentina, on a season-long loan from beaten semifinalists Chelsea, looks favourite to start ahead of Inzaghi, although Ancelotti has noted the "freshness" of the Italian, who has missed the bulk of the season through injury.

The Milan side will feature most of the team who played in the win over Juventus on penalties in the final two years ago. Brazilian attacking midfielder Kaka will make his first appearance in a European final, however, and says Milan have got over the disappointment of losing out to Juventus in the Serie A title race.

"The 'Scudetto' is important, but the Champions League is another matter," Kaka said. "For me this isn't a final, this is the final."

Liverpool's defensive approach in previous rounds against Juventus and Chelsea has drawn comparisons in Italy with the Serie A sides who Milan have struggled against.

Kaka acknowledged: "It is true we have struggled at the San Siro against the little teams, but it will be different in Istanbul - it is a final on a neutral ground and we also know how to defend and take our chances.

"It will be a game which will be won or lost on the details."

The Liverpool side should be predictable, but Benitez also has crucial decisions to make. In attack the choice rests between the Czech Baros or French international Cisse, who has looked sharper than his rival since returning to the side after recovering from a fractured leg.

The only other doubtful position is in the centre of midfield, although Hamann is likely to get the nod over Croatian Biscan in what is likely to be a 4-5-1 formation. If Benitez plays Biscan expect to see Liverpool taking the game to Milan with far more urgency as the Croatian has greater pace and movement going forward. If Hamann starts, Liverpool are likely to be more cautious.

John Arne Riise and Luis Garcia will provide width in attack and both are capable of troubling any defence, as Garcia's superb volley against Juventus in the quarter-final first leg proved - not to mention his dubious winning goal against Chelsea in the semifinal.

The Reds' defence is established and, barring injury in light training, the back four will be Steve Finnan, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia and Djimi Traore in front of goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek.

Inspirational captain Steven Gerrard and Spaniard Xabi Alonso complete the midfield.

Ancelotti said yesterday that he would be interested in taking Gerrard to Milan if he leaves Anfield. "He is one of the best in the world, and who would not want to sign him?"

- REUTERS

The showdown

Champions League final
Liverpool v AC Milan

Thursday

Ataturk Olympic Stadium,
Istanbul, Turkey
6.30am live on Sky Sports 1 and ESPN