____T.H.E. .P.A.S.S.

____Divine Intervention

Congratulations! AC Milan have done it again, throwing away an overwhelming lead that is. I'm still in a state of shock and disbelief. But as Wilson said, everyone should have seen it coming. Rarely does the Pope die and a whole lot of other uncanny events happen together. And when it happened the last time round, Liverpool were crowned European Champions.

But what does this say about Liverpool? Let me stop at "Heeeeyy! Milan was about to win... But NOOO.... God intervened and had to change the course of the game.." (Remember the "purse" incident here in the Russel Peters clip)

Yet, the first half of the match was the perfect example why Milan ranks alongside Barcalona as the top team in the world. And it just shows how Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite is the leading young attacking midfielder in the world. Kaka, as he is fondly known as in the footballing industry, tore the whole Liverpool defence apart. This is the first time I truly see him play and the way he creates spaces for himself, runs elegantly at the defence, sprays passes while running at speed, and provides the killer pass is just *gasps!* breathtaking.

Kaka, is the player that makes Milan's defensive tactics work - bringing the ball with pace, running down the centre and making incisive through balls. But if Kaka is THE PLAYER, Rafa Benitez is THE TACTICAL MAGICIAN. Why? Valencia was never heard of till their recent successes under Benitez, winning the Primera Liga and performing well in the Eurpean stage. And now he brings Liverpool to being crowned European Champions.

However, it was his tactical change during the match that stood out. Sensing that Milan's attacks originate down the centre, and that the flank was rarely used, he changed to a 3 man defense plus a holding midfield role in the form of Hamann. Sheer brilliance. Hamann's marking stopped Kaka in the second half, and provided an extra man, Steven Gerrard, to romp upfront. And it was the Liverpool captain that earned the penalty that helped Liverpool equalise.

All said, Liverpool deserves praise and compliements for showing the never-say-die-spirit which I once saw in the 1999 Manchester United side. I would say watch out for Liverpool next season. And that Milan will have to figure out once more the reasons that caused them to lose such a major lead again. But for me, I can't help but feel that "Divine Intervention" was Liverpool's man-of-the-match.

---------------------------------