Ancelotti ponders final strikeforce dilemma

May 21 2007 by Cindy Garcia-Bennett, Liverpool Daily Post

AC MILAN coach Carlo Ancelotti is facing an attacking dilemma ahead of the Champions League final showdown against Liverpool in Athens on Wednesday.

Ancelotti sent out a reserve side in Saturday’s 3-2 home league defeat by Udinese with the intention of having his top stars fit for the repeat with Rafael Benitez‘s side.

The Rossoneri cannot play Ronaldo, who is cup-tied due to his earlier involvement with Real Madrid, and Brazilian Ricardo Oliveira is out of form, so Ancelotti has to decide who will partner Kaka up front.

Veteran Italy forward Filippo Inzaghi could be the man Ancelotti relies on to fire his side past Liverpool, with the 33-year-old having more experience in key games than his fellow World Cup winner Alberto Gilardino.

“I have not made my decision yet on the attacking front,” said Ancelotti. “I will have to evaluate the physical condition of both players. It is probably the most difficult choice to make.

“Inzaghi and Gilardino both done their part to merit a place in the final.”

Inzaghi missed the epic final against Liverpool two years ago through injury. Liverpool won in a penalty shoot-out after the Rossoneri had thrown away a 3-0 half-time lead.

This would be the first Champions League final for Gilardino, who joined the Rossoneri from Parma in the summer of 2005.

“From a psychological point of view, Inzaghi is favourite because he has more experience in finals than Gilardino,” said Ancelotti.

“Gilardino is nevertheless very good in the fast counter-attacks and on one-on-ones, while Inzaghi is more of a finisher.”

The 33-year-old Inzaghi has scored four goals in Europe this season, two more than Gilardino.

Inzaghi played a pivotal role in his team being crowned European champions in the 2002-03 campaign, scoring 12 goals in 16 appearances.

“I hope my players have the intelligence to understand the choice I have to make,” added Ancelotti.

“I think both know the responsibility I have in making this choice.

“One possibility which depends on how the game develops is to start with Gilardino and replace him with Inzaghi during the game, or vice versa.”

Ancelotti will wait until the last minute to find out if captain Paolo Maldini, who is battling with a knee injury, will be fit.