Football
ESPN staff 8y

AC Milan celebrated at half-time of 2005 UCL final vs. Liverpool - Cafu

Former Milan defender Cafu has revealed that the Italian club did celebrate prematurely at half-time in their remarkable 2005 Champions League final defeat to Liverpool.

Cafu's side were 3-0 up at the break after goals from Paolo Maldini and a brace from Hernan Crespo. However, Steven Gerrard got one back before Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso levelled in a seven-minute spell that saw the game go to penalties.

Andriy Shevchenko could have made it 4-3 to Milan but saw two close-range efforts saved by Jerzy Dudek, and the Liverpool keeper then saved spot kicks from Andrea Pirlo and Shevchenko in the shootout to lift the trophy.

Jamie Carragher wrote in his autobiography that reports of Milan's celebrations were "a pack of lies" but Cafu has confirmed that his team did get carried away with themselves.

"It is true, yes," he said when asked in a FourFourTwo Q&A whether Milan had been celebrating in the dressing room.

"We scored three great goals against a Liverpool team that was one of the most tactically aware sides I have ever faced -- we thought it was our day, and we relaxed.

"When they scored the first two, we felt the impact. When they netted the third we just couldn't believe it. It wasn't Milan's fault; Liverpool deserved that comeback. I have big admiration for Liverpool: maybe another team wouldn't show so much character to get level after trailing 3-0 at half-time.

"Actually I realised it was all lost even before the penalty shootout started, when Shevchenko missed that clear opportunity right in front of Dudek during extra time."

Milan were able to get their revenge two years later as they beat Liverpool 2-1 in Athens to claim the prize and the Brazilian insisted it was down to experience.

"It was a very experienced team. I was 36, [Paolo] Maldini 38, [Alessandro] Costacurta 41 and Serginho 35," Cafu added. "We knew it was our last chance to win that trophy, but we were very calm.

"Not many teams could play with that tranquillity. After Pippo [Inzaghi] scored with Pirlo's assist, I knew this time it was ours: in the 2005 final that kind of opportunity would definitely have been squandered."

Cafu was previously quoted as saying that current Liverpool defender Jon Flanagan would be a future England great and the Brazil legend once again claimed that he could become a top player.

"I paid him a visit not long ago; we had lunch and took some pictures together," he added. "He is very fit and has everything required to be one of the best full-backs in the world.

"The English players that I like the most are those from my generation. I am a big fan of Frank Lampard -- his movement is so elegant. Steven Gerrard is also a great example of character for me."

^ Back to Top ^