Milan beat Utd to set up re-run of '05 final

By James Eve

MILAN (Reuters) - AC Milan set up a repeat Champions League final showdown against Liverpool when they brushed aside Manchester United 3-0 on Wednesday to complete a 5-3 win on aggregate.

First-half goals by playmaker Kaka and midfielder Clarence Seedorf, and a second-half strike by substitute Alberto Gilardino rewarded a commanding display by the six-times European champions, who will dispute their third final in five years and the 11th in their history in Athens on May 23.

The game against Liverpool will also give them a chance to avenge the defeat they suffered against the English club in the 2005 final in Istanbul, when they squandered a 3-0 half-time lead before losing 3-2 on penalties.

Their victory also ended hopes of the first all-English final in the competition's history.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti told Rai television: "None of the coaches could imagine a match like this. We played perfect football. It is like a dream. Manchester United are a very strong team but we played well in the first leg so it gave us strength to play well today."

Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso told Rai: "The end of the season has been very good because it began very badly for Milan this year.

"In the first leg we both played very well and nobody could bet on us, but working hard we have pulled ourselves up."

Milan president Silvio Berlusconi said: "It was a very satisfying match. This evening was a very good game and Milan were very determined while Manchester United were dominated."