Assessment of the Champions League final

Milan 2 Liverpool 1

It was there for Liverpool's taking. First half Liverpool dominated, hands down, and could have finished one or two of those chances but I thought Zenden was crap and slow. Pennant was wasteful too, and by the 30-minute mark I was thinking, this is going to bite them in the ass because it's often the case when a team on the back foot score against the run of play after the dominant team doesn't convert their chances for that long.

Before the game I've tipped Milan to win, yes, but Liverpool should be commended for the first 60 minutes for closing Milan down. My man was Mascherano - and as soon as he left replaced by Crouch, it led to the crucial second Inzaghi goal.

Now, as in typical Mourinho fashion, I say the best team didn't win the match, but I have no qualms for Milan winning their 8th European cup. Sir Alex tipped them to win and he is always right...

Another empty season for England on the European front (save Newcastle's InterToto) despite having such an advantage at even the semi-final stage. It's such a save-face that Germany are sucking on it more, else England would lose their top-3 UEFA 5-year-aggregation for European competition allocations.