Gattuso relishing chance to heal Liverpool scars
The teams meet in the final again in Athens on Wednesday and Gattuso is desperate to win to erase the bitter memories of 2005, when Milan threw away a 3-0 half-time lead to draw 3-3, before losing on penalties.
“It was something strange and it is hard to forget that night,” said the tough-tackling Calabrian whose side let in three Liverpool goals in a mad six-minute spell two years ago.
“It will stay in my memory forever and still hurts me thinking about it.
“But the thoughts and feelings of what happened that night can stimulate us. I believe it has given us strength and can motivate us even more.”
Gattuso admitted he has not watched the 2005 final yet.
“You need courage to watch it, and I haven’t plucked up enough yet,” said the Italian World Cup winner at Milan’s Milanello training ground on the outskirts of the city.
“I have seen bits of it, but not the whole match. It’s something I just can’t bring myself to do.”
Gattuso expressed his anger at hearing stories about how the Liverpool players were fired up for the second half in Istanbul because they had heard the Milan players celebrating during the half-time interval.
“These stories that we were already having a party at half time and opening the champagne are lies,” said the 29-year-old, who spent one season in Scotland with Glasgow Rangers.
AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said Gattuso was as important to the team as Brazilian playmaker Kaka, who has scored 10 Champions League goals.
“All the fans love Gattuso because he shows passion and character whenever he plays,’’ Ancelotti said.
“He is living proof that you can achieve anything in life if you have enough determination and passion.’’
However Ancelotti insisted the defeat in Istanbul had not left his team psychologically brittle.
“There’s no hangover from two years ago,” he said.
“I remember saying after the final in Istanbul that I hoped to be back in a Champions League final, and two years on we are there,” he said.
“I’m very happy about that, but I admit I didn’t expect to meet (Liverpool coach Rafa) Benitez).”
“I hope this time it’s a story with a happy ending.”
Many believe AC Milan should not even be in the Champions League after they — together with four other Serie A club — were found guilty of match-fixing in last summer’s ‘Calciopoli’ scandal.
Milan were docked points, but they were allowed to compete in Europe.
Meanwhile AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini expects to be fit for the final.
The 38-year-old defender, who has struggled all season with a left knee injury, also revealed that he was set to extend his contract beyond this summer and play on for another year.
“I’m hopeful of making the final,” Maldini said yesterday.
“The knee was swollen, but it has responded well to treatment.”
AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said he was confident Maldini would lead out the team in Athens next Wednesday.
“I think he’ll make it,” Ancelotti said. “He has done some specific work on his knee and his condition is improving all the time.”
With regards to his contract, Maldini said he was close to finalising a new deal.
“I haven’t yet signed a contract, but I have spoken to (AC Milan vice-president) Adriano Galliani and I don’t think there will be a problem.
“I think I will need an operation at the end of the season, and after that I should be ready for another season. But that will definitely be my last.”
Maldini, who has spent his entire career at Milan, has won seven Italian league titles and four European Cups.
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