Milan's Berlusconi seeks revenge against Liverpool

MILAN, May 4 (Reuters) AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi is pleased his side have the chance for revenge against Liverpool in the Champions League final.

Milan overcame Manchester United 5-3 on aggregate on Wednesday to set up a repeat of the 2005 showpiece, which Liverpool won on penalties after storming back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3.

''It is good that it is Liverpool, we were waiting for a return match,'' the former Italian prime minister told Gazzetta dello Sport today.

''We will go on the attack to win and this time it will not go to penalties.'' Liverpool beat Chelsea in their semi-final to progress to the May 23 final in Athens and Berlusconi is relieved Milan will not have to face former striker Andriy Shevchenko, who joined Chelsea at the start of the season.

''I would not have been happy to face Sheva because of our personal relationship. I'm sorry that his team lost but it is better that we don't have to fight with him to lift the cup.'' Shevchenko has struggled in his first season in English football and has been constantly linked with a move back to the San Siro.

''He would like to come back, now we will see,'' Berlusconi said. ''Certainly for him the doors are not open, they are wide open.'' Media reports have also said Milan are interested in bringing in Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon but Berlusconi dismissed the talk.

''Buffon is a really great goalkeeper, definitely the best in Italy. But we have renewed Dida's contract because we are convinced of his worth,'' Berlusconi said before turning his attention to Barcelona forward Ronaldinho.

''On Ronaldinho the situation is clear. If Barcelona sell him we are in pole position. We are the first in a long line of teams that would like to buy the Brazilian,'' he added.

Reuters BJR DS1450