Filippo Inzaghi scored twice for the Serie A side - the first a deflected effort of an Andrea Pirlo free-kick - with Dirk Kuyt grabbing a late consolation for the Merseysiders in Athens.

It was sweet revenge for Milan, who squandered a 3-0 half-time lead to Liverpool before losing a penalty shoot-out in the final in Istanbul two years ago.

Former Italian prime minister Berlusconi said: "We suffered a lot and it was complicated from the start.

"Milan's tactics clashed with those of Liverpool but we managed to score two beautiful goals.

"I think the fortune we lacked in Istanbul we had with us tonight."

The victory comes at the end of a traumatic season for Carlo Ancelotti's men which started with a points deduction for their part in the match-fixing scandal which rocked Italian football.

Berlusconi added: "This trophy is very special considering what we have had to go through this season in terms of points deductions and injuries to our players."

The 70-year-old also hailed goal hero Inzaghi, who was selected ahead of Alberto Gilardino to lead the attack.

"I spoke to Pippo before the game and he told me his mission was to drive Milan to victory and he carried out that mission," he added.