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Thursday, May 26, 2005
Shevchenko praise for Reds' fightback

Andriy Shevchenko believes Liverpool were destined to claim the Champions League but still praised their 'winning mentality'.

Jerzey Dudek wins the trophy for Liverpool by saving Andriy Shevchenko's spot-kick (CliveBrunskill/GettyImages)
The AC Milan striker, who missed the decisive penalty in the shoot-out after a pulsating 3-3 draw in Istanbul, was impressed at the way Rafael Benitez's men hit back to take the game into extra-time after being 3-0 down at the interval.

He told PA International: 'It's very hard to explain.

'But I think it was destiny that decided to change sides and give the cup to Liverpool.

'With a 3-0 advantage it's difficult to think that any team can come back against Milan.

'But Liverpool found the courage to continue.

'Believe me, it's not easy when you are 3-0 down.

'They never lost hope, they believed right until the end that it was possible and I guess that is the winning mentality.'

Shevchenko, the 2004 European footballer of the year, was critical of the match officials after having a first half goal disallowed for a marginal offside decision.

He added: 'The referee made a mistake.

'I knew that my goal wasn't offside there and then because it's one of those classical plays that I always practise.

'I always look at the defensive line and I wait for the last pass from the midfield to make sure that I'm not in an offside position.'

The final appeared to be over at half-time after a Hernan Crespo double and a first-minute strike from captain Paolo Maldini gave the Rossoneri a commanding lead.

But the match changed in six dramatic minutes before the hour mark as Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso got the Merseysiders back on level terms.

'It's true that in those five or six minutes we were distracted,' said Shevchenko. 'But you never expect such an outcome.

'To Liverpool's credit they played very good football and scored three goals.'

The Rossoneri players wore stunned expressions at the final whistle but it is not the first time they have collapsed in such a manner.

In last season's Champions League quarter-final they held a 4-1 first leg advantage against Deportivo La Coruna only to lose the return 4-0 at the Riazor.

And they almost threw away their place in this year's final against PSV Eindhoven, squandering a 2-0 first leg lead, only for Massimo Ambrosini's last-gasp header to secure their place against Liverpool.

Past disappointments are nothing compared to the anguish felt on Wednesday, however.

'It's very painful,' said Shevchenko. 'But we must accept it.

'I don't think we underestimated Liverpool and I'm not surprised at how they played.

'This team knocked Juventus and Chelsea out of the competition and they did what they had to do to win.'

Shevchenko's penalty heartbreak was in stark contrast to his joy at netting the winning spot-kick as Milan beat Juventus in the 2003 final at Old Trafford.

'Penalties are cruel,' he admitted.

'There's only one winner and this time we were the ones to be at the other end.

'But (Liverpool keeper Jerzy) Dudek was outstanding throughout the game and he did well not only to save my penalty but to deny us the victory twice in extra-time.'