Ex-Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez remembers the 2004/05 UEFA Champions League final with great delight. His Reds came from 3-0 down to level scores against Milan in the space of six minutes between the 54th and 60th minute mark, before pushing the game towards extra time. Milan fell mightily in the penalty shootout, with Andrea Pirlo, Andriy Shevchenko and Serginho all missing their respective penalties, losing the shootout 3-2.
The ‘Miracle of Istanbul’ is credited as being arguably one of the greatest ever matches in football history, if not the greatest.
The Spanish tactician, in an exclusive interview with Corriere dello Sport (via TUTTOmercatoweb), reminisced the showdown by saying that the sensations Liverpool felt were unmatched that night.
“It was the most exciting and incredible final in the history of the Champions League. You can win the cup by beating opponents 5-0, but you will never experience the same sensations as we did that night.
When we returned to the locker room 3-0 and heard our fans chanting at the top of their voices to cheer us on, it was a crazy charge to get back on the field and put the result in a draw within 6 minutes. Then the penalties arrived and it ended as it ended,” he said.
Liverpool’s triumph over Milan marked their 5th European Cup, as they denied the Rossoneri their seventh.
However, the Milan giants didn’t have to wait for long to get back on top. They managed to avenge the demons of Istanbul two years later in Athens, edging Liverpool 2-1 to grab the esteemed trophy.