AC Milan lead Liverpool 1-0 at halftime in Athens

ATHENS, May 23 (Reuters) AC Milan took a fortunate 1-0 lead into the halftime break in the Champions League final today thanks to a deflected Filippo Inzaghi goal.

The Milan striker got in the way of a free kick by Andrea Pirlo to divert the ball past helpless goalkeeper Pepe Reina on the stroke of halftime to hand the Italians the lead.

Milan went ahead against the run of play after a confident Liverpool side had enjoyed most of the possession and created more chances without managing to find the net.

Jermaine Pennant had the first chance for the English side after a mistake by Marek Jankulovski in the 10th minute when he struck a low shot that Milan keeper Dida parried to safety.

Milan tested Reina seven minutes later when Kaka chested down a flighted cross but had little power in his shot.

Liverpool's Xabi Alonso then sent a searing 20-metre drive wide of the post after good approach work using Pennant as their main creative force on the right.

German referee Herbert Fandel showed the first yellow card to Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso after 40 minutes for a foul on Alonso but it was the Liverpool midfielder who fouled Kaka to concede the freekick from which Milan took the lead.

REUTERS DKS PM0130