By Mike Collett
ATHENS, May 23 - Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez
opted to play Dirk Kuyt as a lone striker at the head of a 4-5-1
starting lineup against AC Milan in the Champions League final
at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday.
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti decided to start with
experienced striker Filippo Inzaghi instead of Alberto Gilardino
in his 4-4-1-1 formation as Milan bid to avenge their defeat by
Liverpool in the 2005 final.
Seven of Milan's starting lineup played in that match in
Istanbul while Benitez fielded five men who began the game in
Turkey which Liverpool won on penalties.
He also gave a place wide on the left of midfield to
Dutchman Boudewijn Zenden who was doubtful with an ankle injury.
Skipper Steven Gerrard will start in his preferred central
midfield role behind Kuyt while Jermaine Pennant plays wide on
the right.
Milan skipper Paolo Maldini shook off a knee injury and will
play in his eighth final to equal the record set in 1966 by Real
Madrid's Francisco Gento. He also becomes -- at the age of 38
years, 331 days -- the oldest outfield player to appear in a
European Cup/Champions League final.
Lineups:
AC Milan: 1-Dida; 44-Massimo Oddo, 13-Alessandro Nesta,
3-Paolo Maldini (captain), 18-Marek Jankulovski; 8-Gennaro
Gattuso, 21-Andrea Pirlo, 23-Massimo Ambrosini, 10-Clarence
Seedorf, 22-Kaka; 9-Filippo Inzaghi.
Liverpool: 25-Pepe Reina; 3-Steve Finnan, 5-Daniel Agger,
23-Jamie Carragher, 6-John-Arne Riise; 16-Jermaine Pennant,
20-Javier Mascherano, 14-Xabi Alonso, 8-Steven Gerrard
(captain), 32-Boudewijn Zenden; 18-Dirk Kuyt
Referee: Herbert Fandel (Germany)
Assistant referees: Carsten Kadach, Volker Wezel (both
Germany).