Milan is due, but Liverpool is better than it was in '05

	Milan's Kaká (left) is the most dangerous player on the pitch, but Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard gives defenses fits as well. NewPress/Getty Images; AP
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SI.com's Gabriele Marcotti breaks down Wednesday's Champions League final matchup between AC Milan and Liverpool.

Milan defense vs. Liverpool attack

The Rossoneri are not the iron curtain they were the last time Milan visited Athens for a Champions League final in 1994. Fullbacks Massimo Oddo and Marek Jankulovski are more attack-minded than defensive and goalkeeper Dida remains maddeningly erratic.

The good news for Milan is that Alessandro Nesta is back to his majestic best after his injuries and, more importantly, it matches up relatively well against Liverpool's likely front pair of Dirk Kuyt and Peter Crouch, neither of whom has the kind of blistering pace to trouble 39-year-old Paolo Maldini.

Edge: Milan

Milan midfield vs. Liverpool midfield

This is the juiciest battle in the match. Milan will use two holding midfielders (Massimo Ambrosini and Gennaro Gattuso) to contain Steven Gerrard, while Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, perhaps the most tactically aware central pairing in Europe, will try to cage Kaká.

Cutting off the supply to the Brazilian will be crucial and that means stopping Andrea Pirlo. You can be sure Rafa Benítez will pull out an ad hoc game plan for just that purpose. Both these sides tend to play rather narrow (though Benítez may yet spring a surprise by throwing in a winger) which may shift the advantage to Milan ever so slightly because it will have an extra man in the mix.

Edge: Milan (but it's a wafer-thin edge)

Milan attack vs. Liverpool defense

Milan's 4-5-1 means that, whoever plays up front (whether it's Alberto Gilardino or Pippo Inzaghi) is in for a long, long evening. Liverpool's defense is a textbook case in uber-organization and the pairing of Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger interpret Benítez's creed to a tee.

It will be interesting to see whether Liverpool goes for a traditional left back like John Arne Riise or whether Benítez opts to push the Norwegian into midfield, putting the more defensive Álvaro Arbeloa at left back, like he did against Barcelona. Either way, Liverpool seems in control in this department, particularly when you factor in the red-hot Pepe Reina between the sticks.

Edge: Liverpool

Milan bench vs. Liverpool bench

The "golden oldies" -- Cafú and Serginho -- are fit and in-form after an injury-riddled season and could be wild cards off the bench, as could Inzaghi (assuming he doesn't start). Apart from SuperPippo, however, most of Carlo Ancelotti's subs are more defensive-minded, which could spell trouble if Milan falls behind.

Liverpool should have plenty of pace in reserve (Jermaine Pennant, Craig Bellamy) and Momo Sissoko is a handy replacement should Benítez need to tighten things up in the middle.

Edge: Liverpool