Former AC Milan defender Jaap Stam has spoken about losing to Liverpool in the 2005 Champions League final.The final in Istanbul could be the biggest club competition in Europe.
When the Reds were 3-0 down against Super Milan in the first half, it looked like it was all over. However, under Steven Gerrard, Liverpool regained the title. Considering the difference in skill between the two teams, this comeback was even more impressive.
But when asked on the Stick To Football podcast whether Milan underestimated Manchester United, Stam, who played as Milan’s centre-back on the day, dismissed the suggestion. “If you’re playing in the Champions League final, you’d expect a tough opponent in some ways.
We finished fifth in the Premier League. “He must have been very confident,” asked Jamie Carragher, who plays for the Liverpool XI. “I think that’s how Liverpool fans see things from your perspective.” the 51-year-old replied. “Maybe we think Liverpool are a weak team or have weak players.
I didn’t approach it that way. As you can imagine, we approached this game very professionally. With all the players in that team and all the skills in that team, they all know what’s going on in football.
“If you’re a young player and you look at the team table, you might think, ‘Okay, we’ll beat them,’ but as an experienced player who’s been playing for many years at the highest level, you don’t think- you underestimate your opponent when they play.
That’s why we never did anything like that in our meetings with coach Carlo Ancelotti.”The tribes claim IstanbulOver the years, the final in Istanbul has certainly become legendary. One of the highlights of the day was when the Milan players thought it was over when the score was 3-0.
Gerrard claimed midfielder Gennaro Gattuso was rude when he entered the dressing room at half-time.This is the accepted version of events from Liverpool’s perspective, but Stam has strongly denied it happened.
“It really bothers me, even during breaks in conversation, to hear people say we’re already celebrating,” says Dutchman. “Can you imagine players of this caliber walking into the locker room? Well, you’re 3-0, but I think we’ll celebrate. it’s over”.
Jaap Stam
Time has a funny way of changing the context of our minds. Gerrard, Carragher and Stam were there on 25th May 2005 and they all probably saw something similar. But the strange thing is that everyone seems to remember it differently.
Honestly, everything he said made sense. One of the reasons Liverpool felt they had few chances was the Rossoneri’s inexperience. Players like Cafu, Paolo Maldini, Andrea Pirlo, Andriy Shevchenko and Stam have been there and seen it all.
Why did they think they won the game? But those situations can sometimes get the best of you. Gerrard was sure there would be celebrations in the Milan dressing room. The same group of players took a 3-0 lead.
Something must have happened to them during the break. No matter what Stamm says, the truth will never change. It will always be remembered as one of the greatest days in Liverpool FC history. It will always be difficult for Milan.
