May 25, 2005 is a historic date, because, in some ways, the strangest match in history was played. More than the Miracle of Bern in 1954, more than the incredible final between Manchester United and Bayern Munich. Or the Italy-France of Euro2000. Milan-Liverpool ends 3-3, but in reality in the Rossoneri’s mind it will never end. The venue is the Ataturk Stadium, in Istanbul, with the Reds becoming European Champions for the fifth time in their history. As a sentence there is nothing improbable, but as far as we get there, yes.
First half: Maldini puts Milan ahead with a volley. Crespo doubles. Crespo scores the hat trick. Three nil at half-time and it already seems that the Cup has a winner, like two years earlier in Manchester, as it will be two years later in Athens. There are those who rejoice, underestimating how beautiful, situational and improbable this sport is. Because on points it would be a gap of 50 points, a Chicago Bulls-Utah Jazz of almost thirty years ago. However, the 3-0 can be recovered in six minutes, perhaps even less.
Legend has it that the AC Milan dressing room was already rejoicing at half-time. Whether he is real or not is unknown. Gerrard curls in a twisting cross to make it 3-1. There is no room for celebration. Then Smicer from afar, with Dida perhaps at fault: here too we need to recover the ball. Penalty: Xabi Alonso misses it, but then he is quicker than everyone on the rebound, 3-3. It would be enough to be a fatal blow, but instead Milan plays. In extra time Shevchenko hits a header, well saved by Dudek. Then he shoots from one meter, hitting the arm (of God?) of the Polish goalkeeper.
Dudek imitates Grobelaar in a 1980s final starring Roma. Shevchenko won the Champions League against Juventus in 2003, but here he formalizes the defeat, perhaps the most paradoxical ever.