2005Soccer

Istanbul

Liverpool are 3-0 down to Milan at half-time in a Champions League final. They win on penalties. Collapse becomes a club religion.

Atatürk Stadium, May 25, 2005. AC Milan score three before the break. Liverpool look finished. In six second-half minutes Gerrard, Šmicer, Alonso — 3-3. Extra time. Dudek’s save on Shevchenko. Penalties. The cup is red.

European club football had produced comebacks. This one is a final, against a dynasty, after a first half that should have ended the broadcast. Kop lore needed a new chapter. It got one that still gets sung.

Milan will win it back in 2007. It does not matter. Istanbul is the night a deficit became a personality trait.