Former Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek shared his memories of Liverpool’s miraculous Champions League victory against Milan. The one-time Polish international sp0ke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about the 2005 final against AC Milan, a match that has become etched in football lore.
Liverpool found themselves in a dire situation at halftime, trailing 3-0 to a star-studded Milan side. Dudek recalls the turning point: “The comeback began in the dressing room. We had to score three goals and prove we weren’t the team from the first half.”
The Polish keeper credits the Liverpool fans for providing crucial energy. “The fans were incredible. We came out of the tunnel and they started singing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone,’ even with that scoreline. It was special; they gave us the energy we needed.”
Dudek’s heroics in the penalty shootout, including his famous “wobbly legs” routine, have become iconic. But it was his double save from Andriy Shevchenko in extra time that truly defied belief. Dudek attributes this moment to a higher power:
“Maradona had the Hand of God for his famous goal against England. I said it was Pope John Paul II who helped me against Sheva. The Pope and I had a special relationship. For me and the Polish people, he was a reference point during the difficult days of communism.”
The goalkeeper’s unorthodox approach during the penalty shootout was partly inspired by Liverpool legend Bruce Grobbelaar. Dudek explains: “I studied many penalties from the opponents, starting with the 2003 final in Manchester that Milan won against Juventus. Remembering everything was difficult, so I asked the coach to indicate the possible direction for each player. Then Carragher advised me to do something to put pressure on them, and I thought of Grobbelaar against Roma in 1984.”
Over the years, Dudek has had opportunities to discuss that fateful night with his former opponents. He’s shared particularly poignant conversations with Shevchenko: “We’ve had several occasions to discuss that final, my double save, and his penalty. I told him, ‘Andriy, it was my moment of glory. Two years earlier, against Juventus, it was your turn. Think about Manchester.’ That’s football.”
Even Carlo Ancelotti, Milan’s manager at the time, acknowledged the magnitude of Liverpool’s achievement. Dudek recounts: “I spoke with him during his first experience at Real Madrid. Carlo was blunt: ‘I don’t know how you did it, but you changed history. The Milan of those first 45 minutes is the best team I’ve ever coached.'”
