Absolutely gutted.
We arrived in Athens full of confidence and over powered a strong Milan side but I guess it just wasn’t to be our day in Athens.
Rafa and the lads can hold their heads high knowing that Milan were fortunate to come away with this match as the victors.
The first goal was undoubtedly a hand ball but was too quick for anyone to realise.
Milan then successfully slowed the play down with their time wasting tactics and came away with the Cup. I’m absolutely gutted but am sure we come back better than ever next season and challenge for all four competitions.
What some of the lads said after the match.
Skipper Stevie G: “It’s difficult to take but that’s football for you, you’ve got to take it on the chin and move on and try and pick yourself up but at the moment it’s heartbreaking.”
“I thought we started the game really well,” he said.
“We were controlling it how we’d like to but I think when you are on top you’ve got to score.
“Their first goal was a bit of luck and that was a big, big lift for them and it was difficult from then on.
“We’ve got the confidence in our team that if we’re getting beat we can still turn it around.
“We gave it everything we’ve got but it wasn’t to be tonight but credit to our players we worked so hard.”
Dirk Kuyt: “(At half-time) we were in control,”
“We had a few little chances and you have be lucky to score a goal.
“They were really lucky (to score) one minute before half-time, one of their players touched the ball in the area.
“We tried it for 90 minutes but unfortunately it didn’t happen.”
Rafa: “The rules talk about substitutions, yellow card, and players’ injuries - but anyway that is not a reason we lost against a very good team with top-class players,”
“And the difference sometimes is that you can work hard, but you cannot close the space or the pass, or the penetrative pass from Kaka, or a Seedorf or Inzaghi.”
“The first half we did really well, we played really, really well and then we conceded a deflection at the end of the first half,”
“Second half we were pushing, pushing, but then you leave space and then they have quality and it made the difference.
“We tried to keep the ball and press high, but you need to take your chances - we did have a lot and went close, but the quality they have if you lose the ball you will be in trouble.
“I think the team in the first half was really good.”
QUADRUPLE NEXT SEASON LADS…
YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE
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