We are in seventh heaven," 30-year-old Milan supporter Fabio Bononi said Thursday, a day after the AC Milan beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Champions League final to win the European Cup for the seventh time.
The team was to be honored with a parade through Milan on Thursday evening, meaning the all-night celebration for Rossoneri supporters would likely continue throughout the day.
"No one believed that we would get this far in the tournament, let alone win it after all that happened this season," Bononi said. "And the victory is all the sweeter because it was against Liverpool."
Milan was nearly barred from the competition following sanctions in the Italian match-fixing scandal. Instead, it got revenge on Liverpool in a rematch of the 2005 final, when Milan lost on penalties after squandering a 3-0 halftime lead.
"That was nightmare. This is a dream," Bononi said.
Thursday's Italian news dailies also lauded Milan's triumph in Athens.
"And go!!!!!!!" read the front page of Gazzetta Dello Sport, each exclamation mark representing Milan's seven European Cup triumphs.
"Milan: Seven Beauties," ran a headline in Milan-based Corriere Della Sera.
"Inzaghi's magic night," Rome-based La Repubblica said, referring to Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi, who scored both of his team's goals.
Thousands of people gathered to watch the game Wednesday on a giant screen in downtown Milan's Piazza Del Duomo, some brandishing flags in the team's red and black colors.
After the final whistle, exalted fans tore through the streets on foot, bicycles, mopeds and cars, shouting "Forza Milan!" and "Champions of Europe!"
Drivers honked their horns, while rock band Queen's victory anthem, "We Are The Champions" could be heard on car stereos.
Some Rossoneri supporters couldn't help taunting city rival Inter Milan.
"Whoever isn't jumping is black and blue!" they jeered, referring to Inter's colors.
"Half the city didn't get any sleep last night. I'm sure of it," Bononi said. "The Inter half
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Friday, May 25, 2007
Uefa Champions League FInal
Pippo Inzaghi struck twice as AC Milan gained revenge for their 2005 Champions League final defeat against Liverpool with victory in Athens.
Inzaghi scored a freak opener in first-half injury time, unwittingly deflecting Andrea Pirlo's free-kick past a wrong-footed Pepe Reina.
Steven Gerrard missed a glorious chance to equalise before Inzaghi slid home a second eight minutes from time.
Dirk Kuyt pulled one back with a header with a minute left, but time ran out. Liverpool, as expected, used Kuyt as a lone front man with captain Gerrard pushed into an advanced role.
And it was a ploy that worked well until Liverpool conceded unfortunately in the dying seconds of the first half.
606: DEBATE
For all Liverpool's huffing and puffing there was no end product
Peter
Jermaine Pennant was also prominent as Liverpool posed the greater threat, forcing a fine save from Dida after Marek Jankulovski had conceded possession.
The much-touted Brazil star Kaka was a peripheral figure early on, but he brought a comfortable save from Liverpool keeper Reina with a 20-yard drive.
Alonso then came within inches of putting Liverpool ahead after 26 minutes, sending an angled drive just wide after more poor Milan defending.
But after controlling the game, Liverpool conceded needlessly in first-half injury time.
Alonso had committed several careless fouls, and he paid the price for another infringement on Kaka 20 yards out.
Pirlo's free-kick took a crucial deflection off Inzaghi that completely wrong-footed Reina.
Liverpool struggled to exert their superiority in the early stages of the second half and Benitez made a change after 58 minutes, sending on Harry Kewell for Bolo Zenden.
Gerrard had Liverpool's best chance on 62 minutes when he was sent clear by a dreadful pass by Rino Gattuso, but his finish was weak and Dida saved.
Time was running out for Liverpool and Benitez made a second change with 13 minutes left, sending on Peter Crouch for Javier Mascherano.
As Liverpool pushed forward, they were punished by a piece of brilliance by Kaka and a trademark ruthless finish from Inzaghi.
Kaka unlocked Liverpool with a glorious pass and Inzaghi rounded Reina before scoring from an angle.
Crouch then tested Dida with a 25-yard drive as Liverpool tried to mount an unlikely recovery.
Liverpool pulled one back in the dying seconds when Daniel Agger flicked on Pennant's corner and Kuyt headed home.
But this time there was no dramatic comeback and Milan celebrated wildly.
AC Milan: Dida, Oddo, Nesta, Maldini, Jankulovski (Kaladze 79), Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Seedorf (Favalli 90), Kaka, Inzaghi (Gilardino 88).Subs Not Used: Kalac, Cafu, Serginho, Brocchi.
Booked: Gattuso, Jankulovski.
Goals: Inzaghi 45, 82.
Inzaghi scored a freak opener in first-half injury time, unwittingly deflecting Andrea Pirlo's free-kick past a wrong-footed Pepe Reina.
Steven Gerrard missed a glorious chance to equalise before Inzaghi slid home a second eight minutes from time.
Dirk Kuyt pulled one back with a header with a minute left, but time ran out. Liverpool, as expected, used Kuyt as a lone front man with captain Gerrard pushed into an advanced role.
And it was a ploy that worked well until Liverpool conceded unfortunately in the dying seconds of the first half.
606: DEBATE
For all Liverpool's huffing and puffing there was no end product
Peter
Jermaine Pennant was also prominent as Liverpool posed the greater threat, forcing a fine save from Dida after Marek Jankulovski had conceded possession.
The much-touted Brazil star Kaka was a peripheral figure early on, but he brought a comfortable save from Liverpool keeper Reina with a 20-yard drive.
Alonso then came within inches of putting Liverpool ahead after 26 minutes, sending an angled drive just wide after more poor Milan defending.
But after controlling the game, Liverpool conceded needlessly in first-half injury time.
Alonso had committed several careless fouls, and he paid the price for another infringement on Kaka 20 yards out.
Pirlo's free-kick took a crucial deflection off Inzaghi that completely wrong-footed Reina.
Liverpool struggled to exert their superiority in the early stages of the second half and Benitez made a change after 58 minutes, sending on Harry Kewell for Bolo Zenden.
Gerrard had Liverpool's best chance on 62 minutes when he was sent clear by a dreadful pass by Rino Gattuso, but his finish was weak and Dida saved.
Time was running out for Liverpool and Benitez made a second change with 13 minutes left, sending on Peter Crouch for Javier Mascherano.
As Liverpool pushed forward, they were punished by a piece of brilliance by Kaka and a trademark ruthless finish from Inzaghi.
Kaka unlocked Liverpool with a glorious pass and Inzaghi rounded Reina before scoring from an angle.
Crouch then tested Dida with a 25-yard drive as Liverpool tried to mount an unlikely recovery.
Liverpool pulled one back in the dying seconds when Daniel Agger flicked on Pennant's corner and Kuyt headed home.
But this time there was no dramatic comeback and Milan celebrated wildly.
AC Milan: Dida, Oddo, Nesta, Maldini, Jankulovski (Kaladze 79), Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Seedorf (Favalli 90), Kaka, Inzaghi (Gilardino 88).Subs Not Used: Kalac, Cafu, Serginho, Brocchi.
Booked: Gattuso, Jankulovski.
Goals: Inzaghi 45, 82.
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