Kings of Europe

Kaka v Gerrard. nikola22.blog.rs

One of my favorite soccer games of all time was when Liverpool played AC Milan in the Champions League Final of 2005 in Istanbul.

It was the Reds’ (Liverpool) first appearance in a European Cup Final for 20 years and, despite defeating Juventus and Chelsea during a memorable run to the final, Liverpool went into the game as overwhelming underdogs against the Rossoneri (AC Milan).

Liverpool FC v AC Milan. wikimedia.org

In the first half, Milan raced into a 3-0 lead. Milan captain Paolo Maldini fired the Italians ahead just after 53 seconds. Then Hernan Crespo scored two goals – one in the 39^th minute and the other just before half-time. Liverpool’s Champions League dream looked all but over and it seemed as if the Liverpool supporters’ trip was in vain. “Milan had played the ball so quickly and so fluently and cleverly that we were lucky to be 3-0 down at half time. It took a lot out of us chasing their shadows because we could not get near them,” said Steven Gerrard.

Milan players were already celebrating in the dressing room. AC Milan had outplayed Liverpool in the first half and were cruising with a three goal lead.

Rafael Benitez, Liverpool manager, said, “At half-time we needed to do something and decided to make some changes. There is no way we could have went back out and lost by four or five goals in front of our wonderful fans. Once we started thinking and believing we could do it, anything was possible.”

In the second half, however, the Reds' passing was better and they created more chances. Steven Gerrard gave Liverpool their first goal of the night after scoring a header from Riise’s cross in the 54^th minute. At the time, Liverpool’s first goal might have seemed like a consolation. But when Vladimir Smicer scored a second, it brought hope to the team. Only four minutes later, Gerrard burst into the Milan penalty box and was brought down. The referee awarded a penalty, and Xabi Alonso stepped up to take it. Alonso converted on the rebound after Dida saved his spot-kick. Liverpool had scored three goals in just six minutes. The game went into extra-time but neither team was able to score the game-winning goal.

The tension heightened as the penalty shoot-out commenced. However, the Reds held their nerve to triumph. Jerzey Dudek saved the crucial penalty from Schevchenko and Liverpool had won the Champions League.

It was the most incredible night in the club’s illustrious history as Liverpool reclaimed their crown as ‘Kings of Europe’.

Champions of Europe. articles.squarefootball.net

After the game, Dudek said, “To be honest when I saved the penalty from Shevchenko I didn't know that was it but when I saw all the guys running towards me it was just a great feeling. You honestly can't describe the feeling as it is just special. We celebrated into the night and it was magnificent.”

This is the link to the highlights of the 2005 Champions League Final - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg3_uFEkjzc

Source: www.liverpoolfc.com

Image Source: "Champions of Europe" http://articles.squarefootball.net/.a/6a00e552103050883401761684 5bbc970c-800wi

"Kaka v Gerrard" http://nikola22.blog.rs/gallery/4435/genius(left%20)VS%20buljash.jpg

"Milan v Liverpool" http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/Milan_vs_Liverpool_2005-05-25.svg