Inzaghi reluctant to tempt fate

PAST EXPERIENCE tells at least one AC Milan player that nothing can be taken for granted when it comes to Champions League finals.

Striker Filippo Inzaghi, whose season has been plagued by injuries, is once again fit and available for duty for Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti ahead of Wednesday’s season climax against Liverpool in Istanbul.

Inzaghi has a lot of big-game experience, having played in a final with Juventus when the Italian giants were favourites against Real Madrid several years ago only to lose.

Now in his fourth year with Milan, he was in the team two seasons ago that won the all-Italian final over Juve at Old Trafford and he realises anything is possible in such big games.

“You play everything in 90 minutes, and anything can happen,” Inzaghi said. “We (Juve) were considered favourites (against Madrid), but ended up losing, so I guess that is a lesson and I hope this isn’t repeated on Wednesday. I’m slightly worried about the fact that we are considered favourites.

“I do think, though, that Liverpool will be tense because they have to meet a team which is historically strong like Milan. But I don’t think that we can be considered favourites, because that is simply not the case.”

Both teams are battle-tested, with Liverpool having had to knock out the likes off Juventus in the quarter-finals and then Chelsea in the last four.

Milan survived a very difficult semi-final against PSV Eindhoven, and they know that the team from Merseyside will be just as hard to play against.

The Anfield club have been successful in Europe under coach Rafael Benitez - a man who led Valencia to UEFA Cup and Primera Liga glory this time last year - in his first year at the club.

The Reds have not played as well in the English Premiership, however.

Their inability to finish in the top four in England has left Benitez’s troops needing to win the Champions League so they can have a prayer of playing in the competition next season.

Liverpool are hoping that UEFA change their mind and announce that the winners of the competition will have the right to defend the title.

Otherwise, they will go into the UEFA Cup.

Meanwhile, the 32-year-old Inzaghi believes that an early goal is the key to Milan overcoming their opponents defensive solidity.

“I think if we play as we did against Juve two years ago, it will be enough for us to lift the cup,” Inzaghi continued. “We were mentally very focused and we never gave up. I do fear Liverpool’s solidity. They have knocked rivals like Juve and Chelsea out of the competition just like that. I think it’s important for us to get an early goal so Benitez’s men cannot play their style of football.”

While Milan have great individual players like strikers Andriy Shevchenko and Hernan Crespo, it is their formidable defence with Alessandro Nesta and Jaap Stam flanked by Paolo Maldini and Cafu which Inzaghi believes gives them an advantage.

The backline is so good that Inzaghi feels that whoever plays up front for Liverpool, be it Milan Baros or Djibril Cisse, will find it extremely difficult.

“They are two very good strikers but only one can play,” Inzaghi said. “I am sure they will face a difficult challenge trying to beat our defenders.”

As for his own prospects of playing, while nearly everyone expects Shevchenko and Crespo to start up front, Inzaghi is just glad that he has a chance to play.

“I am ready after what I’ve gone through this season,” he added. “It’s a dream to be able to tell Ancelotti that I’m available for Wednesday night’s game, and it will be fantastic to play.

“All the strikers are in good form - Crespo, Jon Dahl Tomasson and myself - but only one will have the chance to partner Shevchenko.

“Ancelotti will face a difficult decision, but a nice one I think because this is one of the great things about Milan, that we have high quality players available. I am sure that whoever plays will do well.”