'Hard to believe' - Andriy Shevchenko sheds new light on Liverpool miracle in Istanbul
Andriy Shevchenko missed the decisive penalty in 2005 against Liverpool and offered an exclusive insight
Andriy Shevchenko has offered a new glimpse into Liverpool's famous comeback in the Champions League final after being on the losing side in AC Milan.
Carlo Ancelotti's side raced into a three-goal lead at the interval back in 20025 as the Italian giants stunned the Reds into silence at the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul. But a tactical tweak from Rafael Benitez and quickfire goals from Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso pulled the showpiece level.
After 120 minutes, the game remained level before going to the lottery of penalties as Jerzy Dudek cemented his place in Liverpool folklore. On Tuesday, the Ukrainian great was alongside Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards to pick apart that night in May.
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"His instruction was that we carry on playing the same way, basically," said Shevchenko speaking on CBS Sports' coverage of the Champions League as he offered an insight into Ancelotti's half-time team talk.
"There was a good atmosphere outside, nobody gets excited, we know we're facing a very good team, the quality and an England team, he always believed [something could change].
"Every time you play against a team from England, especially Liverpool, any moment if you lose attention the team can come back."
The fightback in the Champions League final remains one of the most talked about events in footballing history and joined a list of historic scenes from Liverpool - which have since been joined by the likes of Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League and Divock Origi's late goal against Barcelona to complete the comeback in the semi-final of the European Cup.
Shevchenko added that he felt Gerrard and co. were worthy winners as they "believed" more than the AC Milan players. He added: "It was disappointing but after that, we conceded three goals in six minutes. We actually continued to play a great game, we created so many chances and we believed we could turn it round and win.
"In extra-time, I had a great chance and it was a great save from Dudek and it's hard to believe the ball didn't go in but it's the beauty of football, anything can happen, I respect that. You deserved it because you believed more than us."
Iconic images depict Polish shot-stopper mimicking Bruce Grobelaar against Roma in 1984 and it was Dudek who got enough power on his outstretched left-arm to deny the Ukraine striker.
The 46-year-old admitted that the theatrics helped put him off. He revealed: "I saw him moving on the right then I open slightly my feet and in that moment, I was not sure he maybe go out and I saw the goalkeeper move I hit it straight then he left his leg and basically saved."
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