CL Title should be defended Distribution: world Keywords: world

Liverpool Daily Post, 18 May 2005 Title should be defended, but Liverpool won't win it By Andy Hunter, Daily Post

CARLO ANCELOTTI believes Liverpool should have the right to defend the Champions League title if they triumph next Wednesday.

But the AC Milan coach intends to make UEFA's dilemma irrelevant by leading the Rossoneri to a seventh European Cup in Istanbul.

Ancelotti is surprised that Rafael Benitez's outfit could be denied a place among the European elite next season even if they emerge triumphant from the Ataturk Stadium.

Liverpool missed the cut to qualify for next season's Champions League after finishing fifth with their second lowest points total in the Premiership.

"I think that a team that wins the Champions League final should have the right to defend it," declared Ancelotti yesterday..

"But I think we may just do the English federation a favour and solve this problem," he beamed..

The former Juventus coach and AC Milan defender was full of praise for opposite number Benitez at yesterday's Champions League final press conference, admitting the Liverpool manager has worked wonders to guide his team to Turkey during a difficult debut season in England.

"Liverpool are a team that I like," added Ancelotti.

"They are organised and they have ideas whether they play in defence or attack.

"Liverpool have had problems in their own competition, they've had many players out injured and they haven't been able to combine both competitions.

"But just like Milan, they are very happy to have reached the European final."

Ancelotti admits he faces a stern challenge in succeeding where Fabio Capello and Jose Mourinho failed - and beating Benitez in the tactical stakes next week.

"Benitez has done a very good job with Liverpool," he said.. "In his first year with the club he has taken them to the Champions League final.

"He has won the tactical battle against Chelsea and Juventus so I have a lot of respect for him."

With two of the strongest defences in this season's Champions League on show in Istanbul Ancelotti believes the title could well be decided by a penalty shoot-out.

AC Milan beat Juventus on penalties in the Champions League final at Old Trafford two years ago and their coach is expecting a similarly cagey affair this time.

"I think the game against Liverpool will be more or less in the same line as that against Juve," admitted Ancelotti.

"It wouldn't surprise me if we had to go to the penalty shoot-out. And for this there is little you can do in terms of preparation even though we do practise penalties during training.

"But in a game it all has to be down to psychology so it's by no means easy."