“miracolo di Istanbul”

As crushing defeats go, this was way beyond anyone’s expectations. You have to feel a little for AC Milan as they crash out of the European Champions Cup final on penalties.

Few would argue that Milan has not looked every bit champions throughout the tournament (with the possible exception of the PSV tie), and with Shevchenko and Crespo up front they have probably the most fearsome attacking line-up.

AC Milan started the game as if they had an inherent right to walk away with the trophy. 3-0 up and cruising to victory the Italian outfit went in at halftime with one hand on the cup.

No one outside of the Liverpool team knows what Rafael Benitez said to his team but they emerged from the tunnel with the desire and belief that they could peg back this devastating first half result. And when Gerard - taking the game by the scruff of the neck - scored with an outstanding header, few would have predicted the continued resurgence. As Vladimir Smicer scored with a firm drive from outside of the box the thoughts of “maybe, just maybe” began to germinate in the minds of the Liverpool and Milan fans alike.

Italian sides, and Milan in particular, are supposed to be the experts at closing out games. Uncompromising defenders such as Nesta, Stam, and Maldini are seasoned man-markers capable of keeping the competitions best forwards quiet. However it was the dynamic Liverpool midfield that exposed the aging defence finding space to pick their shots. Baros and Cisse worked hard to hold up the ball allowing Gerard and Smicer to move into space.

Alonso’s penalty - initially saved by Dida - was poked in for the equaliser and Liverpool had achieved the incredible. The 35,000 Liverpool fans erupted.

Milan did look the better side for the remainder of the game creating real chances as Liverpool eased off the gas, concentrating on not falling behind. As the extra time came and went, this epic battle was to be decided by penalties.

From Serginho’s miss on the first penalty the tide was against the Italians, so often beaten in these pressurised conclusions. Dida an expert at penalties was unable to match Dudek’s exploits as the Pole carried the Red’s to the title.

Few will forget this great European night, when against all odds the underdog came through as victor. But there is a greater lesson to have learned from this tie, the excellent manner and spirit in which the game had been played and supported.

Decisions had been contested and argued and tackles had occasionally been hard and high, but the game never veered into hostility, even as Liverpool were in danger of being humiliated in this melting pot stadium.

This game represented a new Europe of inclusiveness, healthy competition, and respect. Significantly played in Istanbul where Turkey is vying for EU entry, the players of all nationalities proved how Europe could be the focus of the world.

European leaders could learn by the never say die performance of Liverpool, as they look to turn around Europe’s poor economic performance. Difficult choices and great sacrifices will have to be made to turn around the expensive and inefficient European Union.

France will have to give up love affair with the CAP, Germany will have to reform and deal with the Eurozones unhelpful interest rates, and Britain will have to realise that it cannot continue to enjoy its isolated economic bliss at the expense of the early single-currency adopters. Only by working together and pooling our resources can Europe hope to compete with the Super-Economies of the US and East Asia. As Liverpool showed last night we should be resourceful, determined, and be prepared to take our chances.

United we stand, divided we fall.

http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Squadra/Milan/primopiano/2005/maggio/26inglesi.sht