Athens, May 22:

Two years after losing a 3-0 lead and the biggest prize in European club soccer, AC Milan get a chance to set things straight.

The 2005 Champions League final loss in a penalty shootout to Liverpool still haunts the Rossoneri, and now they face the Reds again for the trophy.

“It is a difficult memory to erase,” says midfielder Gennaro Gattuso, whose confrontation with Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard will be one of the highlights of Wednesday’s final at Athens’ Olympic Stadium. “I hope it gives us the strength and energy to give us that little bit extra to beat them.”

Milan led 3-0 at halftime in the 2005 final in Istanbul, Turkey, but then conceded three goals in six minutes and lost 3-2 on penalties. “There have been lots of jokes at our expense and lies, like that we had the champagne out at halftime,” Gattuso said. “They hurt me and anger me because too much has been said about it.”

Of the lineups in the Istanbul final, up to 14 players could face each other again in Athens. While the 2005 final began with the rare sight of a first-minute goal by Milan’s veteran defender Paolo Maldini, this game is likely to start much more slowly, with neither side wanting to make the first mistake.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez expects Milan to be more cagy this time. “They have more balance,” he said. “They have good, experienced defenders.

They are really strong in midfield and they play with one striker and one player (Kaka) just in between the lines.”

Maldini, who turns 39 next month, hopes to recover from a knee injury to play in his eighth final, tying the competition record of Real Madrid winger Francisco Gento in the 1950s and 60s. If Milan win, Maldini would collect his fifth European Cup title, one fewer than Gento, dating back to 1989.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti was also on that 1989 lineup that beat Steaua Bucharest 4-0 for the first of his back-to-back European Cups as a player.

Milan, which are playing in their 11th final in Europe’s most prestigious competition, are chasing their seventh triumph. Liverpool are looking for their sixth title in seven finals.