'Athens was kind to Milan'

Athens seems to have a magical resonance for AC Milan as the media in Greece reflect on the Serie A side's UEFA Champions League success last night.

Lucky charm
Milan celebrated their seventh European Champion Clubs' Cup in the Greek capital following a 2-1 victory over Liverpool FC at the OACA Spyro Louis Stadium, having won their fifth in the same venue in 1993/94 - 4-0 against FC Barcelona. With luck playing a part in Filippo Inzaghi's deflected opener, Athens worked its magic again.

Local angle
The Kathimerini newspaper wrote: "Milan are grateful to hospitable Athens which - for the second time in 13 years - brought luck to the newly-crowned European champions." However, bearing in mind the painful defeat Liverpool inflicted on Milan in the 2005 showpiece, the paper gave the Italian club credit for their triumph, writing: "Milan took brilliant revenge for the lost final in Istanbul." Goal News shared that sense of joy in Milan's coronation, and in Athens's success by association with the Serie A giants, writing: "The seventh wonder. Milan are Europe's greatest side of the last 20 years. Athens was kind to Milan for a second time." Filathos added: "Milan are living their myth. For the seventh time the great Milan are crowned Europe's best."

'One and a half goals'
Inzaghi's opener came via an Andrea Pirlo free-kick which struck the 33-year-old en route to goal, wrong-footing Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina. Derby Sports was not quite sure it qualified as an Inzaghi score, but praised him nonetheless. "Inzaghi was super and scored one and a half goals," it wrote, while noting that "Liverpool were the better side on the night". With no serious crowd disturbances being reported in the early editions, the Greek capital could look back on a happy night under the footballing spotlight. "A magical evening in Athens," wrote Ta Nea, paying a final tribute to Rossoneri veterans Inzaghi and Paolo Maldini: "The old guard of Milan finished off Liverpool's youngsters."