One of the biggest upsets in a Champions League final

Usually, a Champions League final is pretty even especially in recent years as it has been very close and the teams are at a similar level. However, there have been a few upsets in the history of the Champions League but none so much as the 2005 final in Istanbul. All you would have to do is look at the teams in comparison to one another. That AC Milan side is a team full of legends. Let’s have a look at their starting XI.

On the day their back line consisted of.

• Paolo Maldini ©
• Jap Stam
• Alessandro Nesta
• Cafu

La Rosenri’s trio in midfield were

• Gennaro Gattuso
• Andrea Pirlo
• Clarence Seedorf

And up top there was

• Kaka
• Andriy Shevchenko
• Philippe Inzaghi

Every single one of those players is a legend in their own right. Furthermore, to make that much more difficult for Liverpool is that AC Milan had an incredible manager in Carlo Ancelotti. Rafa Benitez cannot compare to him and as a consequence were not favourites. The only truly memorable players in that Liverpool team were Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Jamie Carragher, Baros and Dudek. I am not intending to disrespect any of the other players in that team. My point is that their squad was nowhere near as stacked as Milan’s.

Before the game, AC Milan was expected to win in the first half everything went according to the script. Milan scored early on thanks to a Maldini volley in the opening minute. Later in the half, Crespo doubled their lead. Afterwards, Kaka provided a sublime ball through to Crespo again and with a perfect dink seemed to have sealed Liverpool’s fate.

If you are 3–0 up at halftime, it is usually done and dusted. However, that was not one of those times as Gerrard quickly gave them a glimpse of hope in the 54th minute with a terrific header. Vladimir Smicer created even more doubt for Milan with a strike coming from outside the box. Gerrard won a penalty 4 minutes later and when Alonso had his penalty saved, he smashed in the rebound.

I feel sorry for all of the Liverpool fans who left the stadium at half-time as they missed an incredible moment.

Liverpool worked tirelessly and took the game to extra time. It should be noted that their goalkeeper, Jerzy Dudek was outstanding that game and made crucial saves which included a miraculous double save right at the end. Steven Gerrard was world-class playing in numerous positions during that game.

Dudek made three saves in the shootout and won the shootout, saving Shevchenko’s spot kick. Liverpool had just won their 5th Champions League and achieved one of the biggest footballing comebacks in history.

It is fair to say therefore that Liverpool was an undergo and certainly upset the favourites AC Milan.