The Sports Bookie Blog

Champions League player ratings

May 23rd, 2007

Player ratings after the Champions League final between AC Milan and Liverpool (marks out of 10)

Liverpool (4-5-1)

Jose Reina – 6
Could not be blamed for either of Milan’s goals. Otherwise had little to do.
Steve Finnan – 6
Industrious as ever at right-back but added little in terms of Liverpool’s forward movement.
Jamie Carragher – 6
Solid match but was caught out of position as Kaka set up Inzaghi for Milan’s second.
Daniel Agger – 5
Lucky to escape a first-half booking for crude challenge on Kaka, will share blame for Milan’s second goal.
John Arne Riise – 6
One good first-half shot whistled narrowly over the bar but exposed at times defensively.
Jermaine Pennant – 6
Lively in the first-half, came close to giving Liverpool an early lead with shot from tight angle. But poor crossing ensured he did not always make most of good positions.
Javier Mascherano – 7
Typically combative performance from the Argentinian. Ultimately could not contain Kaka but that has been the case for all his peers this season.
Xabi Alonso – 6
An impeccable first-half performance was blotted by the foul on Kaka which allowed Milan to take the lead.
Steven Gerrard – 6
Exuded drive and energy in second-striker role but finishing let him down when he failed to beat Dida with Liverpool’s best chance of an equaliser at 1-0.
Bolo Zenden – 4
Anonymous and may not have fully recovered from an ankle injury replaced after an hour by Harry Kewell, who made no greater impression on the left.
Dirk Kuyt – 5
Scored with a late header but lost his personal battle with Nesta and never really looked like generating openings for his team-mates.

… and given the long list of Liverpool stars set for summer axe we expect Reds boss Rafa Benitez is preparing a major overhaul of his squad.  Peter Crouch, Craig Bellamy, Sami Hyypia, Harry Kewell and Mark Gonzalez have reason to fear for their Anfield futures. Djibril Cisse and Anthony Le Tallec, having spent this season on loan, are clearly surplus to requirements. 

AC Milan (4-3-2-1)

Dida – 7
Flawless display capped by two important stops, from Jermmaine Pennant early on and Steven Gerrard midway through the second half.
Massimo Oddo – 6
Kept Bolo Zenden quiet and pushed forward occasionally
Alessandro Nesta – 8
Flawless display at the heart of the Milan defence, coped well with physical challenge of Dirk Kuyt
Paolo Maldini – 7
Equalled Francisco Gente’s record of eight European Cup final appearances and capped night to remember with display of all his defending experience.
Marek Jankulovski – 5
Pushed forward to good effect early on but defensive mistakes would have been costly if Liverpool had capitalised on them.
Gennaro Gattuso – 5
Not his usual influential self, picked up booking for crude challenge on Xabi Alonso.
Andrea Pirlo – 6
Never really sparkled against Liverpool’s packed defence but typically well-struck free-kick led to Milan’s crucial opener.
Massimo Ambrosini – 6
Busy ball-winning display in midfield, helped steady the ship as Milan held out after the break.
Clarence Seedorf – 6
Never got into the match, most of his best work done defensively.
Kaka – 7
No goals to add to the ten he plundered en route to the final but won the free-kick for Milan’s opener and then set up Inzaghi for the second.
Filippo Inzaghi – 8
Fully justified Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to start him ahead of Alberto Gilardino. Did not know much about the first goal but took the second like the great finisher he is.

Entry Filed under: English Football,European Football,Sports News & Results