Milan simply demolished Man U today, 3-nil, setting up a revenge-fueled rematch with Liverpool. It was beautiful.

I'm so gleeful about the last two days of soccer that I don't know where to begin. I'll post in its entirety an exchange with a law school pal (who's a Juve and Arsenal man who pledged to not watch soccer this year in protest of Juve's demotion) conducted during the game:

FF: "As a man who hates both Man U and AC Milan, today's semifinal is likely an event you'd avoid, even absent a no-soccer pledge. But, to the extent you hate Man U more than Milan, you should know that after 45 minutes of play, Milan is up 2-0 after spending a half absolutely tearing Man U apart."

FF Pal: "Nope, I'm watching (at work, in hiding). In fact, my hatred for Man U far exceeds my dislike of Milan (there's quite a mutual respect between Juve and Milan, and as individuals I like them all - very classy bunch), so I'm cheering for them, even though I believe they should be suffering in Serie B with us rather than shining on the biggest stage.

They really are wiping the floor with United, eh? It's nice to see United and Chelsea go down on consecutive days, isn't it?

Liverpool is a phenomenon - their success in this competition is inexplicable. But don't ask any questions just enjoy it. The prospect of a rematch of one of the most exciting games I've ever seen makes me giddy.

My pledge has mostly held up well. I haven't watched a single Serie A game all year, and obviously will not acknowledge Inter as legit champions.

How are things with you these days?"

FF: "Milan 3, Man U 0.

Milan-Liverpool II, May 23, Athens.

I was somewhat torn before the game as to whether I wanted Milan or Man U to win. I hate, hate Man U, but I believed Milan was the superior team, and would present far more problems for my Reds. But the truth is that no matter how daunting a task Milan poses, I hate Man U and Cristiano Ronaldo so much that I can't feel anything but unbridled delight at their complete destruction. Gattuso owned Ronaldo, and Kaka has now, twice, made perfectly clear that Mr. Boy Band Footballer is not his equal.

Although I will cheer Liverpool vigorously come May 23, Milan is my second favorite team, and if it was anyone other than Liverpool opposing them, I'd be rooting for Milan. What a CL season.

Unless you object, I may post these emails on my futbol blog."

FF Pal: "My pleasure.

The CL season has obviously been hurt by the absence of the world's most important club, but we've got ourselves an excellent final. Good luck to you and your boys. I assume that if you should do any walking at any time at all, you will almost certainly be accompanied.

It's impossible not to love Gattuso.

I just sent my dad an email about how much I miss being in the CL. I'm so jealous of the Milan fans, especially considering that to the extent Juve engaged in any impropriety (which is not admitted, but expressly denied), Milan were just as bad."

FF

Liverpool 1, Chelsea 0, Liverpool advances on penalties.

YES.

I'll admit, after last Wednesday's fairly listless defeat at Chelsea, I was pretty terrified. In fact, I couldn't even bring myself to post anything between then and now, so frightened I was that Chelsea would win today and end Liverpool's season in the most horrifying way imaginable.

Instead, my boys came through. On to Athens!

FF