Crespo hoping to get over Blues

HAD someone told Hernan Crespo 18 months ago he was set to line up for AC Milan in a Champions League final he would have laughed if he didn’t feel like crying.

Regarded as a flop in England after a dismal spell at Chelsea, Crespo was reduced to warming the bench at Stamford Bridge, but a season-long loan to Milan has seen him rebuild his shattered confidence. "Life gives you second chances," Crespo says.

"Now, I have the opportunity to win my first Champions League and to have a starring role, something which makes me very happy."

Victory over Liverpool tomorrow night in Istanbul would also mean a double success for the former Inter, Lazio and Parma star, who won the South American equivalent of the Champions League with River Plate in 1996.

"It would be fantastic having already won the Copa Libertadores if I could win the Champions League," he said.

He almost managed it last season, playing a part as Chelsea reached the last four before going out to Monaco. The previous year, Crespo's Inter side tumbled out to Milan in the semi-finals.

This time around, against PSV Eindhoven in the last four, it was third time lucky for Crespo.

"We came so close last season and that really left a bitter taste in my mouth," he said.

Crespo's long-term future remains unclear; he has said he wants to stay at the San Siro, but Chelsea are demanding a sizeable fee for the 29-year-old.

However, the uncertainty will not cloud his focus tomorrow night.

"A Champions League final is above and beyond my future," said Crespo.

"It makes me proud to have come so far. I've had to live with the uncertainty of my future throughout this year, so I believe that it will not affect me in the next few days.

"More than any title, I have found inner peace at Milan and that cannot be bought," said Crespo, who got married last week.

"When you see that your family is happy and that you enjoy playing football, that feeling is worth more than a title. But, of course, if I can lift the Champions League on Wednesday, it's bingo for me."

Crespo joined Milan primarily to act as back-up to Filippo Inzaghi and Andriy Shevchenko, but injuries have seen him thrust into the spotlight.

He has not disappointed, with the undoubted highlight being the two goals he scored against Manchester United as Alex Ferguson's men were dumped out in the Champions League's round of 16.

"I've had better seasons with Parma and Lazio," he said. "But, then again, I wasn't playing at Milan. What was different was the fact that I came from having a bad year in England and I believe that I have responded in the best possible way."

Crespo attributed some of his success to Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, with whom he worked at Parma.

"There's no doubt in my mind that Ancelotti is the best coach there is," said Crespo. "He has the quality of making every player feel good about himself, whether you are a starter or you are on the bench. To get the players to be on the same wavelength is not easy at such a big club as Milan, but yet he has succeeded.

"He transmits calmness when you go on the pitch and it allows you to give your best. It's no coincidence that he has done so well."

Crespo would have relished the opportunity to face Chelsea in the final and admitted he was surprised Jose Mourinho's men were unable to see off Liverpool over two legs.

"I thought Chelsea were favourites," he said. "But they faced a difficult situation having gone into the game against Liverpool only days after winning the Premiership. Maybe the celebrations affected them but, then again, when you haven't won the league for 50 years it's a must to celebrate.

"I think that was the reason why they didn't express the great football they have shown this season. If you have a bad night in the Champions League it's the end, you are out."

Crespo is a huge fan of Ancelotti, but he also admires Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, who has maintained the success he enjoyed at Valencia last season the club won the Primera Liga and the UEFA Cup at Anfield.

"Benitez is a great tactician and he has already proved it at Valencia," said Crespo. "His plan of keeping it tight while also being able to counter effectively has proved to be his team's lucky charm. He has done well to adapt this style of play at Liverpool, having brought several players from Spain, as that is not easy.

"He has had an extraordinary journey so far because few would have put any money on them."

Milan can count themselves extremely fortunate to have made the final after coming through a last four clash with PSV in which they were largely outplayed.

They went down 3-1 at the Philips Stadion in the second leg and only advanced courtesy of Massimo Ambrosini's last-gasp away goal.

"I think in the final our style of play will be much different with respect to our game at PSV," said Crespo. "We have prepared well. I have no doubt that we will see a Milan of the old days. We know who we are facing and what we need to do and we will do it.

"There's really not much left to discover about Liverpool. They may have surprised Juve, but they certainly will not be a surprise to us."