Italians unable to defy critics in flat final

In the end the fears that the first all-Italian Champions League final would produce a stalemate proved justified.

AC Milan won their sixth European Cup 3-2 on penalties on Wednesday after a game which, having started brightly with a disallowed goal from Andriy Shevchenko and neat football from Milan, drifted into a quagmire.

After a dreadful, defensive, half hour of extra time it was hard to feel either side merited a night of celebration.

But perhaps there was some justice that it was Shevchenko who struck the decisive final spot kick to ensure that his captain Paolo Maldini lifted the European Cup 40 years after his father Cesare had done so at Wembley stadium.

Milan were by no means at their best, but their first half performance provided the only real pleasure in this final and they had the bulk of the chances.

This season's Champions League has produced some outstanding football and both the Italian teams have made their contribution to the success of the world's top club tournament.

Sadly, though, there was none of the dynamism that Juventus showed in their semi-final, second leg win over Real Madrid.

While Milan showed in the opening 45 minutes some of the intelligent constructive play that characterised their impressive autumn form, they also ran out of ideas against the disciplined defending of Marcello Lippi's side.

Juventus, 27 times Italian champions, will count their third defeat in four Champions League finals under Lippi as their unluckiest, coming after the lottery of a penalty shootout.

When the disappointment has eased, however, they might also ponder that as Italian champions, they were unable to produce anywhere near enough chances to merit beating a Milan team coached by their former boss Carlo Ancelotti.

A header by substitute Antonio Conte that crashed against the woodwork just after the interval was the nearest they came to a breakthrough.

Their forwards David Trezeguet and Alessandro Del Piero both had disappointing nights, although they were starved of service from a four-man midfield that sorely missed the incisive and positive play of the suspended Pavel Nedved.

As well as Shevchenko's ruled-out strike in the eighth minute, Milan came close again nine minutes later with a diving header from former Juve striker Filippo Inzaghi.

Milan's creative midfield forces, Rui Costa and Andrea Pirlo, enjoyed plenty of space to move the ball around, with Juve forced back deep.

When the Turin side did win possession they were not able to launch the sudden counter-attacks that Nedved has provided throughout his two seasons with the club.

The crisp and precise passing out of defence from Maldini and Alessandro Nesta was in stark contrast to the hurried clearances from Juve's backline, but that changed after the break.

In replacing ineffective right-winger Mauro Camoranesi with the rugged experience of Antonio Conte in midfield, Lippi closed down space, eliminating the channels Milan had used to start their moves.

The 65th-minute addition of burly Marcelo Zalayeta in attack, at the expense of midfielder Edgar Davids, seemed a positive move from Juve but, in truth, all Zalayeta contributed was more effective pressuring of the Milan defence.

A negative side-effect for Juve was that Del Piero was forced to drop into a deeper role and any chance of him providing a jink or turn to unlock the Milan defence faded.

With his side unable to find the rhythm they had in the first half, Ancelotti looked for width by bringing on Serginho. But the inconsistent Brazilian's crossing was poor and not once did he manage one of his winding runs that can turn a game.

The crowd were left to wonder if the fatigue of extra time could lead to an error that might decide the game.

When Milan substitute Roque Junior pulled up with a muscle injury, leaving his side, who had used all their substitutes, effectively playing with 10 fit men, the balance looked to have shifted towards Juve.

But even then, with Milan looking to do little more than hang on for penalties, Juve couldn't threaten Dida's goal.

Their fruitless display was summed up when, three minutes from the end of extra time, Del Piero blasted high over the bar from a promising position.

It was left to the penalties to provide their usual cheap thrills and ensure that at least the Milan supporters were left with a night to remember.