2005 05 26

Liverpool wins the Champions League final on penalties against AC Milan after the most dramatic (and, dare I say, incredible) comback in the history of this competition.

I must agree with Liverpool’s official website. This match was “Amazing, astounding, awe-inspiring, breathtaking, extraordinary, hair-raising, heart-stirring, magnificent, marvellous, miraculous, moving, overwhelming spectacular, spine-tingling, striking, stunning, stupefying, stupendous, wonderful.”

By the end of the first half, Liverpool was trailing Milan AC by 3-0 !!! Goals from Maldini (1′) and Crespo (39′, 44′) had already spoilt the party. Actually, the group of people I had invited home to watch the match left at that time. Everyone (except me, of course) thought that Milan AC had already won the match.

I had a gut feeling that something special was going to happen. I was in no way stressed.

At the beginning of the second half, Hamann was substituted for Finnan who was injured. Liverpool switched to a 3 men defense (with Traore, Hyypia and Carragher). Hamann and Xabi Alonso controlled the midfield while Gerrard was allowed to roam behind the attackers. And the match completely changed !

Liverpool scored 3 goals in 6 minutes, Gerrard (54′), Å micer (56′) and Xabi Alonso (60′). Suddenly, it was 3-3 :-)

The match went down to penalties after a fruitless extra-time with Steven Gerrard playing as a (perfectly adequate) right fullback to help the defense.

And owing to Dudek’s magic (a la Grobbellar) during the penalties, Liverpool won its 5th Champions League Cup !

The Cup is now our’s to keep.

Well done lads :-)

(Images courtesy GettyImages and BBC Sports)

Popularity: 5% [?]

written by avinash

2005 05 26

SEMI FINALS (4 TEAMS)

The four teams qualified for the semi finals of the Champions League 2004/2005 are Liverpool, Chelsea, Milan and PSV.

First leg of the semi finals

Milan 2-0 PSV
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Second leg of the semi finals

Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
PSV 3-1 Milan

Popularity: 2% [?]

written by avinash

2005 05 26

QUARTER FINALS (8 TEAMS)

Those 8 teams are qualified for the quarter finals : Liverpool, Juventus, Lyon, PSV, Chelsea, Bayern, Milan and Internazionale.

First leg of the quarter finals

Liverpool 2-1 Juventus
Lyon 1-1 PSV
Chelsea 4-2 Bayern
Milan 2-0 Internazionale

Second leg of the quarter finals

Bayern 3-2 Chelsea
Internazionale 0-3 (forfeit) Milan
Juventus 0-0 Liverpool
PSV 1-1 (pen) Lyon

Popularity: 2% [?]

written by avinash