3-3 after extra time and a 3-2 win in the penalty shootout and the European Cup belongs to us forever! What a way to finish a game that we lost 0-3 at half time! This is truly a result to the fans. Dear players, no matter where you will be next season you will be immortal in the history of Liverpool Football Club.
We played the first half so poor that it can end up 0-5 but somehow the result was only 0-3. In hindsight this is a good result as if it is 0-2 AC Milan will press for at least 15 minutes more in 2H and then it will be over. If it is 0-4 we just can't claw back. Rafa made a gamble and started Kewell and once again he screwed it up. This may be a blessing in disguise. The whole team played so bad that it is almost impossible to pick up one player that played well - maybe Finnan, but he also went injuried during half time and on come Hamann.
As Hamann comes up Rafa opted for an aggresive 3-2-4-1 formation and it paid off. Gerrard was then allowed to help the attack and he was as inspirational as he ever was. He scored the first goal, rolled the ball to Hamann who then rolled the ball to Smicer for the second goal, and get us the penalty that Alonso missed but hit on rebound. From then on there can only be one winner.
But the drama did not end here. In the extra time everybody were tired and Carra made 3 crucial tackles. Then Dudek's double save on Shevchenko just proved he is ready for the penalty kick. And don't forget he saved another one from Shevchenko when it was still 0-3.
On come the penalty shootout. Carra inspired Dudek to do the Grobbelaar tricks and we won the shootout. Brilliant!
Player Rating:
Dudek: 9 Maybe responsible for at least 2 of the 3 goals but has repaid by the heroic saves.
Finnan: 6 Was one of the better player in 1H but was injuried and can't carry on. But this proved to be a good blessing.
Carragher: 9 Did not perform in 1H, may be responsible for the 2nd goal, but was immortal in 2H and extra time for his numerous tackles.
Hyypia: 7.5 Maybe responsible for the 3rd goal, but also played much better in 2H.
Traore: 6.5 Responsible for 2 of the 3 goals, and conceded a freekick when we were 0-3 down but fortunately Dudek saved it. Was very nervous but later on he played much better.
Gerrard: 9 Was annoymous in 1H but after Hamann came on he became another player. Inspirational for all 3 goals.
Alonso: 7 He scored a great rebound after his first penalty was saved. And he dicitated our pace in 2H very well.
Garcia: 7 A little bit drop in standard but otherwise he had a good game.
Kewell: 4 Hopeless.
Riise: 7 Nice assist. Although he missed a penalty shootout but at the end it didn't matter.
Baros: 7 Fight alone against the Milan defense but it proved too much for him. But he did played a good game and contributed to the win.
Substitutions:
Smicer: 8 What a way to round up his Anfield career!
Hamann: 8.5 The catalyst for the come back. I wish Rafa will offer him another contract. And his penalty was not as bad as he thought!
Cisse: 6.5 Not much contribution and was guilty of selfish but at the end it din't matter.
Rafa: 10 Although his gamble failed his tactical resuffle was just a genius' act. We are really in good hands with such a great manager. Stevie G take note.
AC Milan: 8 Their 1H performance is as best as anything I ever seen. But they relaxed a bit and paid a heavy price.
Men of the Match: It has to be Rafa. But if I really need to pick from the players, I think Dudek, Carragher and Gerrard all played very well.
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