Shevchenko eyes title
ByReuters
Published 24/05/2005 at 09:53 GMT
Two years ago Andriy Shevchenko's coolly converted penalty won the Champions League for AC Milan against Italian rivals Juventus at Old Trafford. It was a night when Shevchenko, long rated as one of the best strikers in Europe, finally got his hands on so
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But as he prepares to face Liverpool on Wednesday in Istanbul, he acknowledges there is a different mood ahead of his second final.
"It is a different experience than the one before Manchester," Shevchenko said recently.
"For many of us, that was our first final and so there was a different build-up. There was a special tension and intense excitement.
"Now, two years on, we are more used to handling such situations because between Manchester and Istanbul we have had a lot of big games and enjoyed a lot of success," said the Ukrainian, who was part of Milan's Italian title-winning side last season.
"Against Juventus we had to prove our strength. Now we take on Liverpool knowing we are a strong side - that is a major difference," he said.
For Shevchenko, the past two years have seen major changes in both his footballing and personal life.
PERSONAL RECOGNITION
On the field, his 24 goals in 32 Serie A matches for Milan not only helped win a 'scudetto' but also gained him personal recognition with the European Footballer of the Year award in December.
Away from the action, he has become a husband and father, and many observers have noted an increasingly laid-back approach to the challenges thrown up by playing for one of Europe's top clubs.
"The important thing is that we can go into this game calmly," he said. "Obviously, there is pressure which comes from such an important event as a Champions League final -- it is the biggest night in European football.
"But we also need to remember that it is only a match. You have more chance of winning if you keep that in mind," he says.
The former Dynamo Kiev forward has enjoyed two seasons full of goals and plaudits, though Friday saw hopes of a domestic and European double disappear as Juventus became Italian champions.
Shevchenko believes the title was lost two weeks earlier with the 1-0 defeat at home to Juve, but says the disappointment will only increase Milan's desire to win in Istanbul.
"That defeat mustn't demoralise us, in fact we have to take strength from it," he said. "Only a great team can have such a wonderful season. In Istanbul we have to make it an unforgettable one."
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