CL Final - AC Milan vs. Liverpool (scores)

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There is a person on the Shels Message Board who seemingly has some highlights from the game, thread here

I haven't gotten them, but I did get come from the Setanta Cup Final from him, good quality stuff.

Hope that helps.

redspider

AC Milan 3 – 3 Liverpool (AET)
Liverpool win 3-2 on penalties (with a penalty to spare!)

Goals: 1' Maldini
39', 44' Crespo

54' Gerrard
56' Šmicer
60' Alonso (pen taker, scored rebound)


WHAT A GAME, What a result, Unbelievable and a real roller-coaster for one and all.

I for one did not think that this game could be anything like a 3-3. But not many pundits were going for a 3-3 either (80/1). This game was a surprise to all. How could this happen?

Here are the events as they happened:

+ Kewell In
Well, the first event of the night took place before the kick-off with the selection of Kewell. In the run-up to the game, I thought that this would be an unlikely selection even though rumoured in the press and would be a big mistake. I was shocked to hear Kewell was in, and said “Liverpool have made their first mistake of the night”. Kewell’s body language was all wrong for this match I thought, and I think we were lucky that he got injured as early in the match that he did.

+ Formations

---

Dudek
Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore
Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Riise

---

---

Kewell

---

Baros

Dida
Cafu, Stam, Nesta, Maldini
Seedorf, Pirlo, Gattuso
Kaka
Crespo, Shevchenko.


1-0
The first goal came very quickly. The players hadn’t settled, although they were following their defensive instructions of this set play to the letter. A free kick wide on Milan’s right, a two man wall out there (which was a waste imo), Liverpool had their 4 defenders and 3 midfielders in zone defence in the box and very tight. Just marking 4 players (Stam was up) so the odds were in their favour. The ball was whipped in, probably not the kick intended, and who should be ghosting in from the edge of the box to meet the ball but Maldini, of all people. The left back. Liverpool had no forwards up the park so the Milan defence was left idle. Three Liverpool players went to meet the shot but none of them making a good block, Riise turned his back on it slightly, Carragher was a metre or so away and Alonso likewise. The players were marking space. The shot was reasonably well struck, went through the Liverpool lines, was far enough away from the centre of the goal to Dudeks right, and nestled in the corner of the net. Liverpool were 1-0 and with a mere 51 seconds gone – The fastest goal in European final history! Benitez’s tactics, whatever they were, were then turned on their head, as Liverpool had to then think about chasing the game.

+ new game
Liverpool responded, with attacks, a corner, a rasping shot from Riise blocked, a header from Hyppia straight at Dida. Milan took control of possession though and created a couple of chances. Its well documented that Kaka playing in the “hole”, the area in front of defenders and ahead of midfield had many free runs and was not picked up. Milan seemed to move freely, putting together some very nice passing. What must have been going through the minds of some Liverpool players, I can only guess at. They must have been shell-shocked. They were doing their defending fine, but they knew they would need to do more. Anytime the ball did break up to Baros, he wasn’t able to link any move with Garcia. The Milan midfield were using the lack of Hamman, or indeed a Biscan, to push a midfieldr forward such as Seedorf, thread passes around. Neat football. Milan were in control. Shevchenko making runs, a danger of creating a one on one with a slower Hyppia. From a corner, a glancing header from Kaka was headed off the line by Garcia. Liverpool respond with a move, creative turn by Garcia in midfield, some nice passes, but it creates nothing on the left of the box. 17-mins gone.

+Kewell Out
Then, a breakthrough of sorts, Harry Kewell starts limping. Benitez has for some reason, which I cant fathom, unabashed faith in Kewell and wants him to stay on, run it off. Liverpool fans meanwhile start chanting. Liverpool attack, Riise cross, over Baros. Liverpool play the offside trap, and for now its working. Kewell still on limping. Then the substitution, and another surprise! Benitez does not bring on Hamann, but Smicer, in his last game for Liverpool. Benitez keeps the same formation! Kewell goes off to boo’s and whistles from Liverpool fans.

+ Liverpool settle (?)
A small switch, Garcia moves to the left, Smicer moves to the right. Liverpool try a few attacks using Baros as the target man, running against Stam, but its very deep and Milan cover comfortably. Milan have Liverpool in their pocket. Liverpool fans though were in fine voice. Another ball in but Baros double-teamed in the box and easily cleared. Liverpool keeping the ball well for a period, passing well, but Kaka still being a threat when getting the ball as he still has space. Kaka makes a good break, Gerard has to chase him from behind, he looks to make the tackle as Kaka kicks it, the ball goes to Shevchenko who is barely a half-yard offside. He puts it in the net but the linesman flags. A bit of a let-off for Liverpool but a correct decision nonetheless. Liverpool respond, go down the pitch, Garcia nearly gets a chance on the six yard box but its cleared before the ball can settle for a strike. The midfield battle seems to be 50-50, but Milan look more likely to create a hance. Riise is not getting much. A long pass to Shev in the box, Traore messes the offside trap but manages to put the Ukranian off deep in the box. Milans two forwards of Crespo and Shev, along with the forward attributes of Kaka, are keeping Liverpool’s defence busy. They cant afford a mistake. A clearence from Cafu, a header from Gerrard falls to Garcia on 20 yards out or so but his first time shot is way over. 33-mins gone.

2-0
Liverpool are giving the ball away at times. Milan look menacing, threatening but yet not creating loads and loads of clear-cut chances. Liverpool’s chances are half chances at best. Finnan makes a gallop forward. Gerrard crosses deep, Riise knocks the ball back across the box, Baros spots Garcia and knocks it into his path but his shot skews off his foot. Liverpool’s best move of the match so far. Milan stroke the ball around, non-chalantly. Kaka gets the ball in the hole again, threads a ball through to Crespo but he is a yard offside and the linesman calls it. Then what happens next is what I call a “double event”. A long Dudek kick-out, the ball pings around in the Milan half, it falls to Smicer who threads a nice pass into Garcia’s path running into the box, he feints a kick and draws the sliding tackle from Nesta, Nesta is about to be beaten but very coyly and professionally sticks his elbow back up over his head and blocks the ball. He handled the ball intentionally, Garcia thinks so too, Nesta knows so, but the Ref waves play on. Milan break, Kaka gets in the hole again, and it’s a 3 on 3 situation, with the Liverpool backs flat and static and with Milan running. Kaka plays it to Shev on the right, not sure if he meant a cross, it finds Crespo at the back post area, Carra wrong footed, Crespo scores.

At the time, I thought that was it. What a double blow. Not since 1962 has a team come back from two down to win the final! In this modern era it would surely be impossible. And the way the 2nd goal happened, it was a mind blower to the Liverpool players. They should have had a penalty, in post-match analysis it was a clear penalty, Nesta knew exactly what he was doing. Then to have that goal on the counter-attack is a killer blow.

Here is an interesting point though. Liverpool backs were playing for an offside, and on watching it again in slow-mo, Crespo WAS OFFSIDE when Kaka passed it to Shev. He was clearly interfering with play. But the Liverpool backs didn’t claim it as they were looking at Shev and as Shev was not offside, neither they nor the linesman spotted it. It’s a small point perhaps in the scheme of things, but Crespo was offside and that goal should not have been allowed. Not only that, but the Garcia incident was also a penalty. At the time I felt that there was no way back for Liverpool at 2-0 down and the way they were playing. Milan were enjoying themselves.

3-0
Liverpool ‘s heads were down. They moved the ball around, Milan leaving Traore open and him with little attacking ability. But there was a lot of lethargy/lead in the Liverpool legs. This was going through the motions. Gerrard started walking around on the pitch. This was bad body language. He tried to thread a ball through to Baros, it was cut out, it came back to Kaka, who turned Gerrard easily, he looked up and threaded through an exquisite pass, around the stretching leg of Carragher into the path of Crespo (leaving Finnan in his wake), beautifully met, Dudek didn’t come and a superb outside foot finish by Crespo. It was a very good goal. And in a flash it was half-time. Liverpool looked completely down and out.

Brady: “When I saw Liverpool’s set-up, I feared the worst”. “It could be humiliation now”. “Liverpool have looked dreadful at set pieces”. “Let Kaka run at you, and there is going to be problems”.
Giles: “Reality has come in Bill. Liverpool, dreadful stuff”. “Gerrard usually disappears in the big matches Bill. He’s nowhere, nowhere Bill”. “Anything can happen in this game, Milan have to keep it up, although I wouldn’t fancy Liverpool.”
Dunphy (on the 2nd goal): “Look at Traore there”. “The writing was on the wall when they didn’t have Hamman”. “They should have crowded midfield”.
Bill: “Lets hope its not a humiliation”. “Had they ever a chance?”

My thoughts were that Liverpool’s game plan seemed to be to put some front pressure on Milan. However, it was Milan’s attacking formation with 2 pure strikers with pace and the creative attacking style of Kaka that had in fact put the pressure on Liverpool. It was Milan playing an attacking style, which had unpicked Liverpool’s defence.

HALF TIME

MORE TO FOLLOW

Redspider

redspider

+ Hamann comes on, New formation
Before the match with Kewell on, I thought Benitez had gambled with such an approach. Now bringing on Hamman for Finnan, one of Liverpool’s best defenders was a “double or nothing” gambit. It was a “I’ll see your 100 euro and I raise you 100 euro”. This to me was another gamble. So what was the formation? It looked as if Liverpool were going to play just 3 at the back, just 3! Hyppia in the centre, and Carragher more to the right filling the gap left by Finnan. Was this going to be suicide with the likes of 3 Milan attackers? It was a fluid formation as well in the sense that the midfielders were moving and roaming. To me it looked something like this:

---

Dudek
Carragher – Hyypia – Traore
---- Alonso - Hamann
Smicer – Gerrard - Riise
---- Baros – Garcia ---

A formation that was much more attacking. Liverpool could do more things up front when they had the ball. But a huge risk at the back. A big BIG risk imo. This was now game on. Liverpool started it well, although Dudek messed up an easy save, pushing Milan back and ending in a long range shot from Alonso that was just wide although Dida would have saved it. Liverpool make a mess of passing across the back 3, Traore loses it and Hyppia has to foul. Free kick to Milan Shev strikes well, through the 2 runners and a good save by Dudek.

3-1
Liverpool move the ball up the field, all midfielders involved. Riise, to Gerrard, to Alonso, to Hamman, in the centre of the field, back to Alonso, who knocks it wide to Rise out on the left. Meanwhile, Gerrard has drifted forward into the Milan box. There are three Liverpool players and only two Milan defenders. Riise tries a cross, its blocked by Cafu. The Milan midfielders are still not dropping back to pick up Gerrard. Maldini is realising whats going on and is just making his way back into the centre of the box. He gets back, Liverpool players are man marked, but Stam is not tight to Gerrard, Gerrard moves forward, Riise’s cross comes in, Gerrard jumps and heads the ball unchallenged, he directs the ball from the penalty spot to the top right hand corner of the goal. Dida hesitates slightly perhaps thinking its going wide and it’s a GOAL ! 53 mins and 04 secs on the clock. Gerard celebrates encouragingly. He now looks determined. Liverpool’s system has paid dividends, there is now a slim glimmer of hope. This is a football game, there is most of the 2nd half to play. Anything is possible, Liverpool could do a miracle. Could they? Maybe.

12th Man
Then, what happened is what you see in football games, where mental approach on one team dominates the lethargy in the other team. Milan became more complacent. Instead of the goal waking them up, they perhaps even get worse. Liverpool fan noise was immense. There were 60% Liverpool fans at least, some estimate say more. The stadium at that time felt it was all Liverpool. Milan players felt that they were in a cauldron.

3-2
Milan start to defend deep. Liverpool have all the possession and are stroking it around and are looking for threading passes through. Garcia and Baros are up front. Milan are defending on the edge of their box. A flick from Garcia, the linesman waves his flag for an offside on Baros. The ref lets play continue. A throw-in from Liverpool on the left, Alonso passes to Hamann, who lays it across to Smicer who had indicated, it doesn’t sit for him nicely, so he takes a touch, winds up and goes for a long range shot. It goes through the packed box, brushes Baros who must have felt the wind of it, it was travelling at a fast pace, it travelled 26-28 yards in 0.8 sec. It was right in the lower left corner, Dida got his hands to it, both of them, but these modern balls that “move” in the air, are difficult to catch or stop, and the ball was hit with power to go through Dida’s hands. Unbelievable! Smicer celebrated, but within a few seconds a signal from the bench put Smicer back on track to concentrate. No-one had expected this. Yes, Lverpool had changed their formation and would be more of a threat possibly. But now at 3-2 anything indeed was possible. Milan just wanted to steady themselves and get through the next period safely. Beglin: “I didn’t see this coming, Did you?”



3-3
Liverpool kept possession well. Still probing, still with the upper hand. The crowd going man. Milan were under the cosh. Begin: “This is ridiculous”. Liverpool win a corner. There’s an offside. The stadium is buzzing. Its game on now. Milan concentrating on net letting in another goal, 11-men behind the ball. Liverpool have Milan penned back into their own half. Milan win a throw, on the half way line. It comes to nothing. Smicer gets the ball deep in Liverpool’s half, he passes it forward to Carra who is running in the right centre of the field. He is 35 yards out, there are 2 Milan midfielders in front of him, Gerrard is straight across from him in the middle, Gatusso is chasing across. Milan have defenders on each of Baros and Garcia, who is just ahead of Carra. Carra knocks it into the edge of the box for Baros who is running to meet it, Gerard continues his run into the box, Baros lays it off with his heel into the path of Gerrard. Gatusso grabs Gerrards arm, grabs it again and Gerrard goes down. I shout: “Penalty”. The ref gives a penalty. Looking at the slow-mo after, you can also see that Gatusso, sly as he is, used his right foot against Gerrards left, running into his feet as it were. Gerrard, who went down in a heap to some extent, was fouled, it was a penalty no doubt. Players in the modern game nearly have to go down to get the penalty awarded. But to those that claimed he dived, look at it again in slow-mo. There is intent, there is contact, pulling and a sly trip. Foul, so the Ref got it right. Yet more drama to come. Gerrard, who missed a penalty in a match recently in the league (was it Palace, I forget) and vowed “never to take a penalty again” didn’t step up. Up came Alonso. He didn’t look over confident. He stroked it low, and Dida, the penalty saving expert, got down and saved it well, but Alonso was following it up and kicked high into the net. This was fortune to some extent. Luck. There was an hour gone. The match had flipped on its head. Liverpool had recovered an impossible gap. Incredible.

MORE TO FOLLOW

Redspider

redspider

+the last 30 mins (of normal time!)
Liverpool, probably realising what they had just done, moved their midfield back. Milan got more of the ball as Liverpool sat back deeper. Baros caught offside, then a Seedorf shot tamely wide. Liverpool were still playing with just 3 defenders. Gerrard still far up front. Both teams knew to be careful at the back. But the situation was still in Liverpool’s favour. Riise receive the ball in the “hole” with space and time to shoot, and shoot he did, he smacked a shot from all of 30 yards but it was straight at Dida. Liverpool though were still going for the 4th goal, not in top gear, but still looking at it. Garcia started to come back more. Milan gained some more possession and the fever, the onslaught that was those 6 or 7 mins with 3 goals, had subsided. The game was no even stevens. The crowd sang “You’ll never walk alone”. Whatever would happen from this point on, Liverpool had regained their self respect, and their credibility. A 3-0 defeat or higher or even a 3-1 would have been humiliating. All Liverpool fans could now feel proud.

Milan kept probing down their left hand side. They were drawing the 3-man defence to the right, leaving a gap. There was danger, a low cross came in, Dudek made an error reading it, it fell to Shev who’s shot was cleared off the line by Traore. But this was an important step for Milan. It showed them that they were back in the match, and Liverpool’s period of dominance was, at least for now, over. Liverpool though to their credit did not sit back deep. They kept probing, a long ball in, a Milan clearance, controlled by Garcia who laid it off to Gerrard who’s long range shot was well off target. Another probe pass from Alonso, Garcia brininging it down in the box with plenty of Liverpool players up in the box. A free given to Seedorf. Smicer then breaking in midfield, takes another long-range shot, well over and wide. Liverpool were still able to pose a threat. The game was balanced and from here any team could win. 75 mins gone.

Where was Kaka? Completely bottled up by Hamann. This unsung player was doing what he does best. Snuffing out attacks before they even take shape. Following Kaka so closely at times that the Milan players were not even passing the ball to him. Milan at this stage were creating no threat. Liverpool still looking the most dangerous. A long ball from Gerrard went over the head of Stam, Garcia was clear in the box but failed to control a difficult ball. That was a half-chance. Then some brilliance from Shevchenko. He skipped past Hamman in midfield, skipped past Hyppia, and also past Traore whilst laying the ball off to Crespo in the box. He controlled laid it back to Kaka but the diving attentions of Carragher meant his 6 yard shot skied well over the bar. Shev was screaming for the ball. Milan a bit more in the game after that. Shev mis-cued a shot. Liverpool still playing with there attacking formation: 3-2-3-2. Milan playing 4-3-3 and defending deep. Liverpool start stringing passes together getting “Ole’s” from the crowd. Cisse then comes on for Baros, 85 mins. Crespo (still on the Chelsea payroll) goes off and on comes Tomasson, and Serginho comes in for Seedorf. Smicer covers to watch Serginho who is playing wide left. Cisse has energy and plays direct, but with little end product. Liverpool look to be seeking the 4th goal though as all players pile forward, but the attack breaks down. The game opens open. Milan go forward, Shev does another bit of magic to get past Hyppia but Carra covers brilliantly. Already he is playing through the pain barrier. From the corner, Liverpool once again look frail in a dead-ball situation, Stam gets a good header, not under enough pressure, but its going wide and all Kaka can do can help it on. Potential chance for Milan. Liverpool play out the rest of the half comfortably. One last attack from Milan but Hyppia cuts it out. Full-time. Extra time of 30 mins beckons.

90-Mins (FULL-TIME)

MORE TO FOLLOW (later today when I catch my breath!)

Redspider

Dcully

Good stuff redspider,cant wait for the rest
Wasnt watching RTE but dying to know what giles and co said after the game.

Ardent

Keep it coming redspider, fantastic stuff.

~Rebel~

After reading so many reviews of this game already today, just trying to keep reliving it! I actually remember every single aspect mentioned in all of them - dont think ill ever forget this game! Good stuff Red Spider, will look forward to the rest!

super_furry

Anyone hear what Giles and that w@nkey Dunphy had to say?

Dcully

Copying this over to another forum redspider ,hope you dont mind.
linkage
http://www.jarhedz.com/viewtopic.php?p=69498#69498

Dcully

Posted elsewhere by a good m8.
Unmissable guys.

urge any liverpool fan to visit here -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chrismoyles/runningorder/2005/

Click on the 'Listen To Today's Show' link. When the player window pops up you will see buttons to advance 15 mins and 5 mins. Click the 15 min one four times and the 5 minute one twice. You will then be in the middle of the news...be patient and listen to the rest of the news and weather (about 2 and a half minutes) because after that is something which will bring tears to the eyes of every Liverpool fan today.

eyerer

seansouth wrote:

There is a person on the Shels Message Board who seemingly has some highlights from the game, thread here

I haven't gotten them, but I did get come from the Setanta Cup Final from him, good quality stuff.

Hope that helps.

"Enjoy the UEFA Cup next season! Meanwhile Shelbourne will be in the Champions League!"

lmao
wow

jank

Congrats liverpool, Milan blew it and liverpool deserved after that.
Unbelieveable really what happend but thats football and thats why we love it.

Jesus I am glad you always get it wrong..

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Very first post on this thread from a so called liverpool fan after the match......sad. Nobody likes a bad winner.

Liverpool fans are usually great craic more so then utd fans becasue they still stick with their team through such lows. JTG aint one of them im afriad but we all know that!

He would prefer to prove one fan wrong with a pre match prediction then to screem with delight after the unbelieveable turn around.
Very first post!!! Unbelievable!!

BaZmO*

jank wrote:

Liverpool fans are usually great craic more so then utd fans becasue they still stick with their team through such lows

:rolleyes: What a ridiculous thing to say!

B.

Headshot

fair play pool i clap my hands

bloody great match one of the greatest come backs ever

looks like gerrard wil be staying

how much money do ye get for winning the champions league?

Dcully

Experts on Sky reckon it will be worth 60 million.

Headshot

Dcully wrote:

Experts on Sky reckon it will be worth 60 million.

i wouldnt trust sky one bit,but they could be right

looks like liverpool will be getting alot of players in summer

jank

What a ridiculous thing to say!

Well apart from last night which was great for them, the last 15 years havent been kind to liverpool, especially when their biggest rivials enjoy there most successfull period ever.
All that though seems to be changing!

Maybe you interpeted it the wrong way

meditraitor

Dcully wrote:

Posted elsewhere by a good m8.
Unmissable guys.

urge any liverpool fan to visit here -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chrismoyles/runningorder/2005/

Click on the 'Listen To Today's Show' link. When the player window pops up you will see buttons to advance 15 mins and 5 mins. Click the 15 min one four times and the 5 minute one twice. You will then be in the middle of the news...be patient and listen to the rest of the news and weather (about 2 and a half minutes) because after that is something which will bring tears to the eyes of every Liverpool fan today.

more shivers down my spine,,,,,,,,,, what a night

jonny68

Amazing last nite..havent seen scenes like it since Man United won it in 1999..i wanted Milan to win it and honestly thought they would but they only have themselves to blame and you have to take your hat off to the scousers they deserved it..Gerard is one of the best players in the world and Liverpool should do absolutely everything to hold onto him..if i was a Liverpool fan id still be celebrating

mr_angry

Well, despite my fellow Arsenal fans egar to concentrate on the negative aspects, I for one would like to congratulate Liverpool on the greatest comeback ever. They fully deserve the European Cup, and gave us all one of the best finals in living memory.

I have to laugh though at the English press hailing Gerrard as the man who turned it all around. To be fair to him, he played his part, but for me it was Xabi Alonso who was the architect of Liverpool's fightback. It was he who got the passing movement going at the start of the second half that lead to the first goal, and lest we forget, it was Xabi that knocked in the equaliser himself. But more than each of those, when the rest of the Liverpool team were insistent on kicking the ball back to AC Milan, only Xabi Alonso seemed capable of giving a simple pass to a team mate, and taking some of the pressure off.

fade2black

You're wasting your breath Mr Angry...There has been Arsenal, Man Utd fans and more congratulating Liverpool fans all along the way but they still come on and abuse us. We're not bitter, jealous certainly but that's natural. We say an amzing achivement last night and anyone who would belittle that is a fool. Liverpool fans deserve their day of celebration and hopefully they'll be back challenging for the title soon. But for God's sake, enough of the stupid gloating.

Megatron

Caesar_Bojangle wrote:

If only I had the balls to get Djimi Traores face tattooed on my ass.

well on last nights showing it would be the right place for it as he was crap.
By far the worst player for Pool, Gerard just wasn't at the 1st half , and wtf where they doing putting on Sick note ?.

But gratz to the Pool. What a match ... fantastic

~Rebel~

Dcully wrote:

Posted elsewhere by a good m8.
Unmissable guys.

urge any liverpool fan to visit here -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chrismoyles/runningorder/2005/

Click on the 'Listen To Today's Show' link. When the player window pops up you will see buttons to advance 15 mins and 5 mins. Click the 15 min one four times and the 5 minute one twice. You will then be in the middle of the news...be patient and listen to the rest of the news and weather (about 2 and a half minutes) because after that is something which will bring tears to the eyes of every Liverpool fan today.

Goosepimples and hair on arms standing on end!
Just incredible! Gettin all emotional about it yet again!

egan007

super_furry wrote:

Anyone hear what Giles and that w@nkey Dunphy had to say?

They were unbelievebale - 0 and i mean Zero credit to liverpool
Such descriptions as Dudeks last grasp save as a bad miss by shev
and and and.....
At half time describing the third goal 'The Clincher'
Where was Ray Houghton when ya needed him.

meditraitor

Welsh outfit Total Network Solutions have offered Liverpool an unlikely route into next season's UEFA Champions League by proposing to play The Reds in a winner-take-all qualifier.

Liverpool are still on a high following their shoot-out win over Milan in Wednesday's Champions League final, but Uefa attempted to bring them down to earth by insisting their participation in next season's competition is 'unlikely'.

The Reds finished fifth in The Premiership and out of the qualification spots, with Uefa insistent only four teams will represent England next season.

The FA have the option of lobbying Uefa to secure a fifth spot, but Welsh qualifiers TNS have now added a new twist by offering to face Liverpool in a one-leg tie, with the winner going through to the first qualifying round.

The proposal would need the backing of the English FA, the FA of Wales and Uefa, which seems highly unlikely as it would substantially devalue the competition, but TNS have made the offer to The Reds.

"We would be supportive of this idea if it could be achieved with the approval of Uefa, the English FA and the FA of Wales, without in any way devaluing our league's future place in Europe," TNS owner Mike Harris told the club's website, saints-alive.com.

"It would help to raise the profile of the Welsh domestic league and have the additional benefit of offering Liverpool a way of defending the title."

redspider

and the saga continues ...


+ Extra-Time (1st period - 15 mins)
For the 3rd time in 5 years, its extra time in the CL final. Beglin: “both managers will be stressing they need to dig in”. It starts, but straight away, you will see if you look very closely, that Liverpool’s formation has changed. Benitez has done an adjustement. Playing at left-back in what looks like a 4-4-2 or 4-1-4-1 formation is Gerrard:

---

Dudek

---

Gerrard - Carragher - Hyypia - Traore

---

Hamann

---

Smicer – Alonso - Garcia - Riise

---

Cisse

---

Liverpool also move Riise back deep to the left back position when needed. Garcia covering left midfield defensive duties. Liverpool now look as if they are going to aim to hold on to what they have and maybe sneak a goal as Cisse takes on Stam and Nesta on his own. Liverpool are comfortable, the first attack is Milan’s but a long range effort over from Pirlo. Cafu coming up as much as he can wide right. Liverpool have some fluidity. The defence changes slightly, with Gerrard pushing up and Carragher covering right back, when Liverpool have possession far up the field. Beglin: “Milan were so on top. This is just hard to believe”. Milan win a free 30 yards out, Pirlo kicks it over again. Milan seem to be lacking energy. The ball is passed down the left touchline to Serghino. He takes on the “new” Liverpool left back, Gerrard. He blocks the cross.

Liverpool have all players behind the ball except Cisse. Milan play it around the danger area. They try to get Cafu in but he’s offside. Begin: “I think Gerrard is playing on the right side”. Out to Serghino again, he takes on Gerrard, but Gerrard gets it a right footed tackle clean and decisive. Milan knock the ball out and the momentum is stopped. Maldini gathers an up the line ball to Garcia. Milan start their attack again, playing the arc, not getting the ball into the danger area. Carragher clears it, then Hamann is fouled. Milan wont find it easy to get through this new formation. Tomasson, who’s been quite, comes deep to start a play, Serghino threads a ball through instead of taking on Gerrard, but Tomasson is off-side by two yards. A Dudek kick-out, a Garcia knock-on to Cisse on the wide right. But he is isolated, and Nesta shepherds the ball out. Hamilton (plonker) starts commenting about Cisse’s hair. 10 mins gone. Kaka drifts behind Hamann and gets a through ball, Hyppia comes to meet up, but it is Gerrard who tackles him from the right back position. Cisse on his own as target man is not able to keep the ball for long. Milan try a cross from deep from Serghino, it looks likeTraore who is tracking Tomasson has it covered, but he mistimes a backward header (very poor defending) but Tomasson is not expecting it and he mis-cues it wide. In the next attack, Shevchenko skips past Alonso, and then past Riise, lays it wide to Cafu but his cross goas across the 6 yard line with no forwards in there. Carra was right beside Tomasson. Dudek let it go. Beglin: “Liverpool are surrendering the initiative”. Liverpool get the ball forward but the attempted move between Garcia (now on the right) and Cisse is easily handled by the 6 or so white shirts around him. Serghino gets the ball wide left again. He doesn’t even try to run down the wing this time, tries to get Cafu on the far side but the ball is poor and it’s a Liverpool throw. Cisse and Garcia try again, Milan quickly get the ball in the centre, and the ball is passed out to Serghino.

I know it sounds like I am repeating myself, but I’m not! Both teams just keep trying the same things. This time, Serghino takes on Gerrard, and he gets by him, well, at first, but within 10 strides Gerrard blocks the cross and gets the ball back for Liverpool. He launches it to Cisse but Stam easily gains the ball back for Milan. Once again, the ball goes down the line to Serghino, but Gerrard tackles him at the by-line and it’s a corner. Short corner, Pirlo makes space but his cross is poor and easy for Dudek to pluck out of the air. Smicer goes down with cramp. Tiredness is creeping in to both teams. Milan are playing “Milan” style. Walking at time, only running when necessary, with selected bursts of speed, albeit rare. A long cross in from Cafu, Shevchenko peels off the back and tries a left foot hook shot but the angle is difficult and the shot is easy for Dudek. The 1st period ends, Shev and Gerrard embrace each other, twice.

+ Extra-Time 2nd Period (15 mins)
Benitez is out encouraging the players. The crowd start singing “You’ll never walk alone” again.
Giles: “Liverpool made an unbelievable recovery. Liverpool look the more tired. If AC push on, they could do it”
Brady: “Its looking like penalties for me Bill”.
Dunphy: “I agree with Liam. But Liverpool have done a hell of a lot to get here”.

The 2nd half started off with both teams being careful. Milan better at keeping the possession but doing nothing with it in terms of threats to goal. Cisse takes the ball down the wing and gets a corner for Liverpool. A poor corner from Smicer, Hamann gets a shot off, another corner. 6 Red shirts in the box. Gerrard takes, very long, Hyppia heads, Carra fouls. Next Milan attack, Shev comes to collect the ball and gets in a dangerous cross but too far ahead of Tomasson. Liverpool get a counter-attack, Cisse very head down though and wastes a shot from 30 yards out and poorly struck.

Milan move the ball quickly from right to left, over Gerrard and finds Serghino, he has space so crosses early. There are 3 red shirts in there and just Shevchenko but it takes a stretching Carra leg to clear the ball across the 6 yard box. His stretching puts him in real pain, more cramp. A stretcher comes on, but he’s not gong on it. He leaves the pitch in extreme discomfort. Milan bring on Rui Costa for Gatusso. Rui Costa can perform magic, will it be his night. Carra comes back on. Serghino knocks in another low cross and Carra knocks it out, still in real pain. He’s staying on though. The corner is whipped in. Dudek completely misreads it right in the goalmouth and the ball is just a foot wide off the far post. Dudek is not looking safe tonight, or should I say morning. Its now after midnight in Istanbul and is officially Thu 26th May! Liverpool keep some possession for a minute or two and relieve pressure. Pirlo weasles out of the left corner past Gerrard and Garcia, but is obstructed by Hamman. The free and subsequent corner produce nothing. Liverpool break with Smicer, looks fouled, gets nothing. A long ball forward from Liverpool, Cisse offside, probably wrongly, Stam has it covered anyway. Gerard cuts out a pass to Serghino. The ball comes back to Serghino, he tackes on Gerrard, but Gerrard tackles him. What a tussle these two are having with Gerrard are coming out on top.

Then a big moment, out of nothing. The Liverpool fans were singing a “Liverpool, Liverpool” chant, Serghino gets the ball with Garcia and Gerrard in close attendance, but neither close him down, it was Garcia’s responsibility, and an outswinging cross aimed at the penalty spot comes in. Milan this time have 3 up to Liverpool’s 4 defenders. It goes over Carra and Hyppia should have it, but he mis-reads it and it gives a free header to Shevchenko from 9 yards out. He meets it perfectly heading it down but it is directed too close to Dudek who scoops it up with his right hand, Shev follows it up as his momentum was going that way and shoots with a half-volley from a mere 2 yards out. Dudek has his eye on the ball and volleyball style gets his hands out, and the ball miraculously balloons up and over the bar. Shevchenko and Milan players cant believe it. Dudek seems to start nodding with satisfaction and a smile thinking that perhaps Liverpool’s name is on this CL cup after all. A crucial moment in the game.

Milan try again, no threat this time, Liverpool tackle well and clear the ball. Cisse though can offer very little for Liverpool as he cant keep the ball. Milan fans look worried, very worried. Liverpool fans are singing again. Then Hamman breaks up a Milan attack and gets the ball off Rui Costa. He breaks forward, its three against three, this is a chance for Liverpool. But he doesn’t pass the ball off and runs down a cul-de-sac. Liverpool knock the ball forward again, and again its Liverpool looking for the goal. Garcia gives to Smicer near the corner of the box and expects a return, but he turns left and into traffic, the chance is gone but Liverpool have a free kick. It’s in added time. Can Liverpool conjure up something here. Gerrard is looking to do something. Its quite far out at 25 yards. They select a training ground manouver, Gerrard short to Hamman but he dallies before laying it out to the “surprise” Riise, who’s shot from 30 yards is easily blocked. Chance gone. The whistle blows, Full Time. Penalties.

MORE TO FOLLOW

Redspider

[Jackass]

Best Game i have ever seen in my life that didn't involve Ireland. (i just cant seem to get passionate about any English clubs tbh ), but that was unreal. I can't believe it tbh...at half time i was saying i hope it goes 6,7,8 nil...how wrong i was...i also said on boards before the Chelsea game that Liverpool didn't have a hope over 2 legs....My hat tasted lovely thank you very much.

Fair play pool, and thanks for the best final and club game i have ever seen.

Utd fans.. Rio Ferdinand? £30 Million? Maybe, if you ask nicely, Jammie Carragher will give him a few lessons on how to be a world class defender, cause rio isn't even the same sport, never mind the same leauge as him!

smemon

fair play liverpool, im still in shock tbh. lets not forget the majority of this side was gerard houlliers!! :eek: i dont know how the hell liverpool have won it with the players they have. it's remarkable. apart from gerrard, alonso, maybe carragher the rest are average and we know that from the league.

arsenal, chelsea and united will be kicking themselves, along with half of europe. i could name about 15 sides at least all man for man better than liverpool and more consistent all year round. yet this happens. it's truly remarkable. what is the world coming to! greece winning the euro's, porto winning the champions league and now liverpool! compare liverpool to the legendary side of the past that scooped that trophy and your just left speechless.

the liverpool fans deserve it though. last night even as a utd fan i could feel the passion, the joy. had milan won it i doubt we'd have seen the same emotion from the fans. thats the only reason i liked seeing that liverpool side win last night. the trophy will be appreciated in liverpool and given the respect it deserves.

i'll never hear the end of this now for another 20+years!! plus it's another european trophy over utd which i'll be reminded of. like porto though, they will not retain it (even if they get the chance to).

zAbbo

smemon wrote:

arsenal, chelsea and united will be kicking themselves, along with half of europe. i could name about 15 sides at least all man for man better than liverpool and more consistent all year round. yet this happens.

Name them, the 15 sides, who *at least all man for man better*

Considering we've got two of the best midfielders in Europe

Guy:Incognito

eyerer wrote:

"Enjoy the UEFA Cup next season! Meanwhile Shelbourne will be in the Champions League!"

lmao
wow

Exactly, but we still have a better chance of winning the it than shels.

Dcully

Being better means sweet feck all smemon,having courage,confidence and above all the balls to stand up to the so-called better teams in Europe is what counts and is what won it for LFC.
Im sick and tired of folk moaning "what has soccer become with greece winning,porto winning and now Liverpool"
The fact is these teams performed and the teams and more-so the so-called big name players did not perform mostly because their opponents had bigger balls.
I say fair play to them and screw the begrudgers who ****e talk about what has football become.
Putting the ball in the back of the net is what counts regardless ,end of story.
This is the greatest comeback in history and its all the more sweet when i hear folk moan about the so-called lesser teams winning.
Liverpool won whether you like it or not and are now
THE CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE
oh i forgot Liverpool are crap arent they ?
LMAO TBH
GWAN THE POOL!!!!!

Guy:Incognito

@ SMemon. If Utd are so much better than Liverpool, how did Liverpool mange to put 3 goals past Milan in one match when Utd coouldnt score 1 in 2 games.

jesus_thats_gre

smemon wrote:

fair play liverpool, im still in shock tbh. lets not forget the majority of this side was gerard houlliers!!

In fairness Smemon. Some notable successes of those said players under Gerard Houllier:

- UEFA Cup
- FA Cup
- 2 League Cups
- European Super Cup

redspider

FULL-TIME 3-3 (AET)

Beglin: “An amazing show”.
Bill: “that must be the greatest miss of all time, musn’t it Liam?”
Brady: “I don’t believe in destiny in football, but I do after tonight”. “I think Liverpool will win it, its gonna happen.”
Bill: “Do you think they will win it Eamon?”
Dunphy: “Well, erm, yeah … I think there is a problem with Milan’s resolve and fortitude.” “Liverpool have more heart, very ordinary players, Traore, Kewell”. “Italians have a history in penalty shootouts”. "Liverpool can be very proud".
Bill: “It was the most extraordinary come-back, from what we were talking about at half-time, wasn’t it John?”
Giles: “Well, I think Benitez told them to go out and have a go. Hamann came on, which released Gerrard. Once you get a goal, it puts some confidence in the team, it puts the other team under a little bit of pressure, and once you get a 2nd one, they were all over the place. Liverpool showed courage and skill to do it. Plenty of resilience, and Dudeks save sums it up – a good break at the right time.”


So To the Penalty Shoot-Out:

Penalties: the toss, Maldini chooses to shoot first. He’s not taking penalties. Dida is the penalty saver specialist. Serghino steps up for the first penalty. Dudek looks lively, flapping arms and jumping/moving along the line. Serghino runs up and strokes it well over the bar. MISS. Advantage Liverpool.

Hamann steps up, takes a stutter in his run but kicks a very good low kick to Dida’s right, and its in. I could do without those stuttering runs.
1-0 Liverpool.

Pirlo steps up. Dudek does his dancing around, Pirlo strikes low and to Dudek’s right but he is going that way, the ball is to close to him and he SAVES it. The second advantage to Liverpool. It looks as if their name is on this cup.

Cisse steps up. He looks in a mean mood. He strokes it to Dida’s left but Dida has dived right, goal, and its really game on now!
2-0 to Liverpool.

Tomasson steps up. He doesn’t look comfortable. Dudek does the same antics. The shot is powerful but nearly straight slightly left and Dudek dives to his left. Milan claw one back.

Riise steps up. A goal here would be great. He doesn’t go for power, his usual forte and instead side foots it low with some pace to Dida’s right. It’s a reasonably good penalty, nearly in the same position and speed as Hamann’s, but this time Dida brilliantly saves it. Milan recover some ground.
2-1 to Liverpool

Kaka steps up. Milan fans look petrified. The crowd erupts into whistling and jeering. Dudek does Grobbelaar-esque wobbly legs. He dives to his left but Kaka’s kick is high to his right. Milan still in it.

Vlad Smicer steps up. He looks cool enough. But his run is jittery. He kicks it to Dida’s left and Dida goes right again, going the wrong way. Again advantage swings towards Liverpool.
3-2 Liverpool

And just two kicks to go. Shevchenko steps up, knowing that he must score. He looks under pressure as the jeering rises to a crescendo. I say to someone, “This is it, he’s gonna miss. He’s not confident.” He starts his run, slowly, its lethargic, there is lead and adrenalin in his legs and he kicks a pathetic kick straight down the moddile, Dudek, who is moving to his right just has to stick out a left hand and its saved, SAVED!

THE UNBELIEVABLE HAS HAPPENED.
LIVERPOOL HAVE WON THE TOP TROPHY IN EUROPE AGAINST ALL THE ODDS.

Liverpool win 3-2 on penalties, with a penalty taker to spare !

Beglin: “I’m speechless. Its extra-ordinary”.
Hamilton: “There has never been a footballing story as dramatic as this”.
Beglin: “When Shevchenko missed that sitter, you knew it was going to Liverpool”.

Brady: “The most dramatic final of them all? Its up there. To be 3-0 at half time, to be totally outplayed and come back. Its got to be one of the greatest finals of all time”
Dunphy: “The quality of their team doesn’t match previous teams. But their endeavour and resolve is hugely admirable. Football is about a lot of things, concentration, never giving up. At half-time, we all thought it might be 4, 5 or even 6. I admire the spirit they had and the belief that they had. I never thought in my wildest dreams they would come back.”
Giles: “It was an extraordinary win Bill. Its good for the game in many ways. A lot of finals have been dull occasions. You know, 3-0 down, you wouldn’t believe it. Dramatic, its remarkable, I’m delighted for Liverpool.”

But later in the studio, Dunphy reverts to type on reviewing the 2nd half goals.
Dunphy: “the big story of the match is the collapse of Milan. Milan collapsed”.
Brady: “No they didn’t Eamon!”
Brady: “the key moment for me was when Dudek made his double save. He was having a nightmare but when he did that I thought it was Liverpool’s night”.
Dunphy: “Carragher was outstanding, all through this championship. He’s a wonderful professional. He really is someone to admire. He did it against Chelsea and Juventus. I’ve a lot more time for him than Gerrard”.


So, the unbelievable has happened. The various tactical formations by Liverpool were the main factor in this match. Milan were more or less constant. Liverpool started with a poor formation and gave space to Kaka which created chances and 3 goals for Milan. Liverpool changed it around at half-time, moved to an attacking formation, snuffed out Milans opportunities, and created chances and 3 goals. 3-3 What a game. Once Liverpool realised they were level, they kept things tighter.

Overall, you have to say, even if a neutral, a very good game. Both teams were close, but I don’t think anyone can take this away from Liverpool who deserved it. There were hero’s out there tonight, not all Liverpool players, but you know them, Carragher, Hamann, Gerrard, and at the end Dudek did his part. Alonso and Smicer played their part, as did Baros. Finnan was sacrificed for tactics, although there was a mention of an injury, but I’d say it was minor. Riise didn’t do too much. Traore was ok, as was Garcia and Cisse. Hyppia was by and large safe. Several 9’s, many 8’s and some 7’s. Kewell probably a 6 and should be sold I think.

A great and memorable night. I enjoyed it, I hope you all did too.


Redspider

redspider

Dcully wrote:

Copying this over to another forum redspider, hope you dont mind. linkage

no problemo

The first 5 parts are now up.
I hope to have more on the game tomorrow, looking at some stats.

Btw, I cant believe the efforts the "naysayers" are putting in and their feeble attempts at slagging. I'll get to those gnats in due course.

smemon

jesus_thats_gre wrote:

In fairness Smemon. Some notable successes of those said players under Gerard Houllier:

- UEFA Cup
- FA Cup
- 2 League Cups
- European Super Cup

yes i accept that but this is the big one, the above trophies are b and c list trophies. winning perhaps the greatest prize in club football with the majority of houllier's side bewilders me. league cups, fa cups are a different kettle of fish. an easier kettle of fish.

Stekelly wrote:

If Utd are so much better than Liverpool, how did Liverpool mange to put 3 goals past Milan in one match when Utd coouldnt score 1 in 2 games.

im still trying to work that one out! dont think i ever will. i could be a right ole pain in the backside and say if liverpool are so much better than utd, how come they couldnt manage to qualify next year when utd could, but im not here to enter a flaming war.

bazH wrote:

Name them, the 15 sides, who *at least all man for man better*

real madrid, barcelona, chelsea, arsenal, man utd, juventus, ac milan, inter milan, bayern munich imo are all better than liverpool without a doubt (irony being 'pool have beat some of those) but id love to see them do it again.

you then have statistically better sides like everton, villarreal, real betis, udinese, rangers, celtic, schalke, psv, ajax, lyon, lille etc etc who will all be in the CL next season. just like porto last year, imo liverpool are not the best side in europe. im not saying they dont deserve it, they just caught a few top sides on bad days which rarely happens in the CL.

Guy:Incognito

smemon wrote:

they just caught a few top sides on bad days which rarely happens in the CL.

Or maybe they caused these teams to have bad days by playign well.

zAbbo

Couldn't even win the c-list trophy last weekend, smemon.

Clearly we're not worthy winners of this years champions league, '99 anyone ?

Far too many begrudging fans on here.

If in doubt, check my sig

Thanx 4 The Fish

Re your sig, please read the sig rules and edit it.

Thanx

smemon

bazH wrote:

Couldn't even win the c-list trophy last weekend, smemon.

Clearly we're not worthy winners of this years champions league, '99 anyone ?

Far too many begrudging fans on here.

If in doubt, check my sig

not even liverpool fans, not even your captain believed you could win the champions league, believed you were good enough to win it. the fact liverpool have won it shows they've exceeded all expectations.

in '99 utd weren't exactly underdogs having done the double a couple of days before it. utd were expected to retain it in '00 and believed they could. thats how good they were.

liverpool cant even have a chance at retaining it (atm) because of their own doing. nobody expected them to win it just like porto and imo it's a flash in the pan, unlike milan, madrid etc that are always there, there abouts.

until liverpool have the stability and consistency of milan, real madrid, utd in the CL they wont be regarded as a great team and shouldnt be either if their not in it year in year out.

Thanx 4 The Fish

A flash in the pan ? The most succesful team in english soccer history, a flash in the pan. What consistency have United in the CL, won it once 6 years ago and have got nothing since. A win is a win and The Champions of Europe are from the red side of liverpool. Regardless of whether it was expected, it cannot be refuted that last night for pure heart and bravery in changing the tactics etc Rafa and his men deserved the CL.

LizardKing

No matter what shíte the begrudgers say, history will show that Liverpool F.C were the Champions of Europe in 2005 .. In what was to date the GREATEST ever comeback and victory .. That must be a hard pill for other fans with chips on there shoulders to swallow ...

mike65

UEFA CL team

2004-2005 UEFA Champions League Team : Goalkeeper: P.Cech (Chelsea FC) Defenders: Cafú (AC Milan), J.Terry (Chelsea FC), J.Carragher (Liverpool FC), A.Cole (Arsenal FC) Midfielders: J.Pernambucano (Olympique Lyon), P.Cocu (PSV), M. Ballack (FC Bayern München), S. Gerrard (Liverpool FC) Forwards: Ronaldinho (FC Barcelona) & A.Shevchenko (AC Milan)

Wot no Biscan?

Mike.

el rabitos

Gonna need some good shades next time i walk into the throphy room in anfield another big bit of *bling* *bling*

Headshot

Thanx 4 The Fish wrote:

A flash in the pan ? The most succesful team in english soccer history, a flash in the pan. What consistency have United in the CL, won it once 6 years ago and have got nothing since. A win is a win and The Champions of Europe are from the red side of liverpool. Regardless of whether it was expected, it cannot be refuted that last night for pure heart and bravery in changing the tactics etc Rafa and his men deserved the CL.

as im a man utd fan,i even have to admitt liverpool played their heart out
they should bravery and guts

they were destined to win the champions league
and fair play to them,and i wish them luck in the years to come

Thanx 4 The Fish

Do you read what you post ? You said that united were consistently good in the CL, just mentioned that they were not all you made them out to be.

Headshot

Thanx 4 The Fish wrote:

Do you read what you post ? You said that united were consistently good in the CL, just mentioned that they were not all you made them out to be.

man utd were not all that good in europe especially this season going out to Milian like that
they destroyed utd

and what really pisses me off united should have gotten that first spot and we would have gotten an easier match [sir Alex messed up there]

Chucky the tree

Thanx 4 The Fish wrote:

Re your sig, please read the sig rules and edit it.

Thanx

what are the rules? where can they be found? i plan on riddling my signature with pictures of this joyus occasion!


Well well well, what can i say! amazing! i would of given my left testicle to be in istanbul last night, or even liverpool tonight.


Fair play to the congratulation comments from the united fans, if it was the other way around dont know if i would be so gracious!

Jesus, if hamann ever deserved a contract he showed it last night. If not we need a replacement of his quality, every team needs a hamann type player. I never really believed in fate or destiny, but something about liverpool journey through and all the omens, maybe i should start believing in it!

Liverpool - European Champions 05!

ButcherOfNog

I still can't believe we won that. Playing and beating Juventus and then Chelsea over two legs was hard enough to fathom, but then beating Milan after being 3 down at half time. The odd thing was I wasn't overly worried at halftime, knew Rafa would change it and we'd give a much better account of ourselves in the 2nd half ... didn't think we'd end up winning it but knew we'd do better.

There were plenty of teams in the CL that man for man are better than Liverpool, somehow we defeated 3 of them. Good management leading to good teamplay with a few outstanding individual players and we go all the way and win it. Mad

And to the UTD, Arsenal and Chelsea fans, you all have better squads of players, but we've got a better manager. I hope we manage to keep him for a few seasons.

Thanx 4 The Fish

Now all we have to do is kill the pope next year bump off that camilla and have charles marry somebody else. Then get Ken and Deirdre divorced and a new doctor who.

New doc who on the way. Anybody gonna go for the other three ?