by A.B. » Sat May 21, 2005 4:12 pm
SHEVCHENKO READY FOR TENSE AFFAIR
Andriy Shevchenko knows expectations will be high on Wednesday evening when he and his AC Milan team-mates take on Liverpool in the Champions League final.
The showdown at the Ataturk stadium in Istanbul will see the Italian outfit bid for a seventh European title - only Real Madrid have won more with nine - while Liverpool are aiming for their fifth.
Much will rest on the shoulders of the Rossoneri’s top striker Shevchenko and, having hit six goals so far in the competition to guide his team to the final, the pressure will once again be on the Ukraine international to deliver when it matters most.
But if the European Footballer of the Year has learned anything since hitting the winning penalty in the shoot-out win against Juventus in the final at Old Trafford two years ago, it is how to handle his emotions.
“Inevitably, the Champions League final brings tension because it’s the most prestigious football event in Europe,” said the 28-year-old.
“But I don’t feel the same anxiety now that I felt back then.
“Then I felt an intense emotion and a burden just as many of my team-mates did because for many of us it was our first European final.
“But it’s only one game and if you look at it from that point of view without the pressure that comes with it, you have more chance of winning.
“I certainly feel more prepared to deal with these situations because from Manchester to Istanbul we’ve gone a long way.”
Last year Milan won the Serie A title although Friday night’s 3-3 draw with Palermo - in which the Rossoneri fielded a second string -side - confirmed Juventus as this year’s Italian champions.
JUVE CROWNED ITALIAN CHAMPIONS
Shevchenko himself has also come a long way since that glorious night in the north west of England.
It represented a turning point for the striker as, not only did it gave him his first title with Milan since arriving from Dinamo Kiev three years previously, but more importantly it dramatically raised his status at the club.
Prior to the Manchester final against the Bianconeri, Shevchenko’s future at Milan looked uncertain having experienced his worst season in front of goal with just five strikes during the 2002-2003 campaign.
However, the 2003 final provided the platform from which Schevchenko rediscovered his goalscoring form.
Twenty-four goals last season fired Carlo Ancelotti’s side to the Scudetto and earned the Ukrainian the “capocannoniere” trophy as the top scorer in Serie A.
Shevchenko has continued his prolific strike rate this season with 17 domestic goals.
That is a good return when you consider the striker missed several weeks of the season after fracturing his cheekbone during the 1-0 win over Cagliari in February.
Shevchenko is optimistic of taking his recent good form into the final, where he expects a tough game against Liverpool.
However, he feels that the unity and experience of the current Milan squad will stand them in good stead.
“I’m happy because things have not only gone well for me but for Milan too,” he said.
“Against Juve we were looking to confirm our strength whereas against Liverpool we already know how strong we are.
“We have a group that has been playing together for so long and that is able to give its best at the right time.
“But the greatness of a team is not only its power but also in having a profound respect for our rivals.
“It would be silly if we denied our strength just as it would be equally stupid to underestimate Liverpool as they have a backline that is almost impenetrable.
“Juve only managed to score one goal and Chelsea failed to find the net against them, which says it all.
“And to make it even more difficult, they have an efficient attack that can hit you at any time.
“Xabi Alonso showed against Juve what a great player he is while Luis Garcia has proved key to Liverpool’s creative play and we will have to be extremely careful not to allow them any spaces.”
Despite the Rossoneri experiencing a dip in form of late - Milan have not won a game since April 26 when they beat PSV Eindhoven 2-0 in the first leg of the semi-final when Shevchenko opening the scoring - the number seven is confident his team will be well prepared for the final.
“I have no doubt in my mind that we will arrive in Istanbul in top form,” he ended.
YNWA - DrummerPhil
Gone but not forgotten
R.I.P.