All white for Milan in Athens

AC Milan have chosen to wear all-white in the UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool FC despite being drawn as the home team for the match in Athens on 23 May.

Milan decide
The result of the UEFA draw gave Carlo Ancelotti's side the option of wearing the famous red-and-black stripes from which they take their Rossoneri nickname, but they have instead decided on the white away kit they sported in the 2005 final defeat by Liverpool.

Lucky shirts
Milan's preference for their white shirts stems from lifting five of their six European Champion Clubs' Cups in those colours. Their 'maglia fortunata' - lucky jerseys - were on show when they won finals against SL Benfica (1963 and 1990), FC Steaua Bucuresti (1989), FC Barcelona (1994) and Juventus (2003). However, the all-white outfit has not been entirely auspicious. The San Siro giants made the same selection for Istanbul and ended up losing on penalties to Liverpool; they also went down to AFC Ajax in similar fashion in the 1995 showpiece. Two years before, Olympique de Marseille had overcome a Milan team in red and black.

Reds delight
Liverpool will be more than happy with Milan's choice of kit. Their traditional all-red attire is synonymous with success on the continental stage. As well as in Turkey two years ago, the Anfield club triumphed in the European Cup finals of 1977, 1978, 1981 and 1984. Ominously for the Rossoneri, Liverpool's glory came on each occasion against sides in white.