Rafael Benitez has not endeared himself to all Liverpool fans in his three years in charge at Anfield.
Some would say he is too conservative. Others would point to the 21-point gap which separated Liverpool and champions Manchester United in the Premiership and the fact that it is 17 years since the Merseyside club won the league title.
But when it comes to the Champions League not even the most critical fan, from Liverpool, United, or Chelsea or Arsenal, could argue that Benitez was not the master.
The master of ruthless selection and preparing his players to give their best in one-off performances.
You do not go to Barcelona and win in the Nou Camp as Liverpool did without the sharpest of tactical brains.
You do not overcome Chelsea's power and Mourinho's galvanising qualities, as they did in the semi-final, without an unbreakable spirit of your own.
Those are solid reasons why Liverpool travel to Athens from their pre-final training camp in La Manga with optimism that come Wednesday their fans could be boasting six stars on their club badge, one for each time they have won football's most prestigious club prize.
But Benitez also has another weapon in his quest to defeat an AC Milan who unquestionably are European football's most dynamic team following their semi-final slaying of Manchester United.
It is the memory of Istanbul.
You had to be in the Ataturk stadium two years ago to appreciate fully the wonder of Liverpool's comeback when they overturned a 3-0 half-time deficit to win on penalties.
Steven Gerrard's captain's performance received the plaudits, so did the goalkeeping heroics of Jerzy Dudek.
But as a stream of Liverpool supporters made their embarrassed way out of the stadium at half-time while others chanted 'We're going to win 4-3,' more in humour than hope, Benitez infused conviction and defiance in his side.
Easy to do, you might say, when there is nothing left to lose, but only the most astute managers can do so while also changing tactically the ebb and flow of a football match.
Undoubtedly, Benitez has that gift of being able to deliver his most composed work while under the greatest pressure. He is also ruthless, the axing of Spanish favourite Xabi Alonso from his midfield for the semi-final against Chelsea a clear message to his squad that there are no Mourinho-style 'untouchables.'
As striker Dirk Kuyt explained: "We have a lot of good players and sometimes you have to accept being on the bench. I am sure Xabi wasn't happy against Chelsea but he knew the only important thing was reaching the final. Maybe he will play in the final and I won't. It is the manager's choice and he will do what he thinks will beat Milan."
The fact is that Milan are an ageing side, but one in which experience makes up for any lack of energy.
They have that feisty old fox Genarro Gattuso in midfield, who displayed his worth by keeping Cristiano Ronaldo quiet in the semi-final, and evergreen defenders such as Alessandro Nesta.
And they have Kaka.
The Brazilian's demolition of Manchester United in the semi-final, with pace and balance and goal-scoring prowess, only cemented his position as the world's best footballer.
Stop Kaka and you stop Milan. Easy to say, not so easy to achieve.
There is good reason, however, why Liverpool stand a better chance of doing so than United.
And that brings us back to Benitez's conservatism. Liverpool's success is built on their meanness, the 25 league goals conceded this season bettered only by Chelsea, and an overriding team ethic.
No big stars, no primadonnas. Flashness is not the Benitez way.
While other clubs might boast more technically gifted players, Benitez concentrates on moulding the best team. A team for Europe.
It is why Benitez arrives at his second Champions League final while Ferguson, Mourinho and Wenger have managed just one each.
And why on Wednesday night in Athens, I expect Liverpool once more to be the toast of English football.
