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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Michael Butler

How bad was Spurs v United in comparison to other European club finals?

Goalkeepers Dida and Gianluigi Buffon shake hands before the decisive shootout.
In the end, the 2003 Champions League final came down to the goalkeepers, with Dida saving three Juventus penalties to win it for Milan. Photograph: Independent/Alamy

Juventus 0-0 Milan (2-3 pens) 2003 Champions League final

The attacking talents on show for both Italian sides were frightening. Juventus partnered David Trezeguet in attack with Alessandro Del Piero, while Milan opted for Pippo Inzaghi and Andriy Shevchenko in front of the creativity of Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf and Rui Costa. Such was the embarrassment of riches available to Carlo Ancelotti, Rivaldo was an unused sub for Milan. Yet after 120 minutes, the final remained goalless. Marcello Lippi, who had succeeded Ancelotti as Juve manager in 2001, was particularly culpable, having brought on the defensively minded Antonio Conte as a makeshift No 10 at half-time. How they missed the suspended Pavel Nedved. Milan prevailed in the shootout, with Paolo Maldini lifting the trophy at Old Trafford, but the final did nothing to dispel the belief that Italian football is a defensive game.

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