AC Milan Shows Extraordinary Play in 2005 Champions League Final against Liverpool, Despite Brief Loss of Focus

Despite Paolo Maldini and Hernan Crespo giving AC Milan a comfortable 3-0 lead in the first half of the final, their grip on the Champions League crown slipped away as Liverpool staged a remarkable comeback. The Reds fought back to level the game, taking it to penalties where they emerged victorious, shocking the world with their thrilling triumph.

But Costacurta - who spent more than 20 years at Milan in his playing career, and who spent the full 2005 final as an unused substitute - is still full of praise for the side that played in Istanbul against the Reds.

Milan didn't collapse, but they did become complacent against Liverpool

I think the Rossoneri team that played in Istanbul was the greatest Milan of all the finals we played, alongside the 1989 final against Steaua," Costacurta tells FourFourTwo. "For 114 minutes we played an extraordinary, beautiful game, but in [the other] six minutes we were condemned to a draw and then we lost a penalty shootout.

"I understand that conceding three goals in just six minutes indicates that at the start of the second half, we thought we had already won. Anyone who has played at a high level knows that feeling: when you go 2-0 up, the opponent is in shock and you think the game is over.

"We underestimated Liverpool’s strength of character. After they equalised, we created many more chances – I appreciate why it’s a talking point but, again, it was one of the best Milan teams in modern football history. The goals from Hernan Crespo and Paolo Maldini are remarkable."

Costacurta continues, suggesting that complacency crept in and minor details in the build up to Liverpool's goals were the reason for their failure to hold onto the lead, rather than any real disaster.

Get FourFourTwo Newsletter

The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

"When you see Liverpool’s goals, Kaka is tying his laces when Steven Gerrard heads home – that shows we weren’t 100 per cent focused [in fact, the ball passed Kaka while he adjusted a shinpad and Vladimir Smicer made it 3-2]," he adds.

"But we didn’t collapse. We lost focus for six minutes. For the other 114, we were extraordinary. Thankfully, we took revenge two years on in Athens."