Former Leeds United defender Dominic Matteo has labelled the night he scored at the San Siro as one of his best footballing memories. Matteo scored the opener as Leeds held AC Milan to a 1-1 draw on their own turf and secure qualification the next round of the Champions League.
Matteo’s goal remains one of Leeds ’ most iconic in recent history, as supporters still sing about it to this day. The Whites eventually went on to reach the semi-finals of the competition that season, where they were defeated 3-0 by Valencia on aggregate.
The 47-year-old made 145 appearances during his time at Elland Road – with half of his four-goal tally for the club coming that season in the Champions League as he also found the net in the 6-0 win against Besiktas. Speaking on the GegenPod, Matteo detailed just how honoured he feels to have competed in matches of that calibre during his career.
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He said: “That was an amazing night. That’s what it’s all about, the memories - especially games like that. Anyone who gets the chance to play in the Champions League, it’s a great honour to play in such a great stadium, in such great atmospheres and the Leeds fans were obviously going mental. It was crazy - we all experienced it, Bridgey [Michael Bridges] obviously picked up a bad injury I think away at Besiktas.
“He was an integral part of the group, and we all knew we had different roles to play in the team and Bridgey was pivotal in his role. It was just unlucky for him and sometimes somebody getting injured then gives somebody else an opportunity. But listen that was an amazing evening, for me personally to get a goal - I didn’t get many. Two Champions League goals was pretty good going for me to be honest. Some of my mates always wind me up about goals but I got a couple in the Champions League which will do me fine.”
