Liverpool’s Champions League hero Dudek ‘too scared’ to watch famous final
Jerzy Dudek was instrumental in the club’s 2005 European success, 20 years later is in city for Liverpool v AC Milan clash at Kai Tak Stadium
Jerzy Dudek, one of the heroes of Liverpool’s astonishing 2005 Champions League final victory over AC Milan, said he had been “too scared” to rewatch the famous Istanbul clash for fear of being overcome with emotion.
The English and Italian clubs are set to meet in a Kai Tak Stadium friendly on Saturday, 20 years after Liverpool recovered from 3-0 down to level at 3-3 before beating Milan on penalties in a match christened the Miracle of Istanbul.
“Life changed for everybody in our team after that night,” Dudek said.
The goalkeeper made a stunning close-range stop from Andriy Shevchenko deep into extra-time. In the penalty shoot-out, Dudek’s tactic of cavorting on his line to unsettle the Milan takers paid off, as he denied Andrea Pirlo and, decisively, the hapless Shevchenko.
“When I came back home my father was asking what I was doing in the goal, with all the dances,” Dudek said.
“I’ve never watched it from the first minute to the last, only the highlights and penalties. I have probably been too scared, because of the emotions.
“I’ve been waiting for a special occasion. Maybe this summer, as it’s the 20-year anniversary, I’ll grab my friends and we’ll watch it together. The fact everyone still talks about it shows we did something special.”