Rafa Benitez has admitted he will be “very emotional” when he returns to the Ataturk Olympic Stadium tonight.
It has been 18 years since Liverpool - then managed by the Spaniard - completed arguably the greatest comeback in football history. Despite being 3-0 down to a star-studded AC Milan side at half-time, the Reds fought back, scoring three goals in six crazy minutes before winning a dramatic penalty shoot-out to clinch their fifth European crown.
The night remains etched in Merseyside folklore and has become synonymous with Benitez’s six-year reign as manager. Manchester City are aiming to replicate that feat when the Champions League final takes place at the same venue this evening for their mouthwatering clash with Inter Milan.
Former Liverpool boss Benitez - out of work since his sacking at Everton - will be in attendance and confessed the tissues may need to be on standby as he reminisces about that famous night. Reflecting on the game, the 63-year-old told BBC 5 Live: “You concede an early goal. You concede three goals against a really, really top side. The fans are still signing.
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“Then you go back out and score a few goals in six minutes. With a penalty miss (Alonso scored rebound), then extra time and the save from (Jerzy) Dudek…
“You can see something much better in terms of football. You can score more goals or whatever. But with this emotion, with the timing of everything, I would say (it was) maybe impossible.”
“I will be very emotional (when returning to the ground). I don’t think I will cry but I will be very emotional because it was a great final with great, great memories.”
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