Vladimir Smicer recalls Liverpool's 2005 Champions League final comeback

Welcome back to Istanbul, where we are counting down to a Champions League final, and we'll all remember 2005. We remember it one way, Vladimir Smicha probably remembers it slightly differently. Vladimir, take me back to 2005, the Ataturk Stadium. What are your abiding memories of that game? Well, of course, big emotions, because we were 3-0 down half-time, you know, you end up with the trophy in the dressing room. So, great memories, and I still couldn't believe it sometimes we've done it. You know, travelling around the world, people asking me what's happened, I just said, I don't know, guys, it was probably really a miracle what's happened on the pitch, because we were before the game, we were underdogs, you know, and at half-time 3-0 down, nobody believed in us, and probably even we were in the dressing room, and we didn't know what to do at the second half, but Rafa Benitez showed that he was a great manager, and, you know, changed the tactics a little bit, and we just said, let's go out and try to score one goal, and we'll see from that, and that's what we did. We scored one, second, we were back in the game, and we won the game on penalties, but yeah, unbelievable memories. And what about you, what was it like when you scored in that match, because the comeback was incredible. Yeah, well, when Stevie G scored, I said, yeah, great, we've got at least one goal, but then when I scored, I really felt the momentum is on our side, and we can really score another one, and that's what we did, and when I scored, of course, I was over the moon, you know, it was my last game for Liverpool, and Champions League final, I can't describe a better scenario for me, you know, to leave in the club and score the goal in the final, score in the penalty shoot-out, so, yeah, it was my last kick for Liverpool, the penalty, so, yeah, it was the best scenario I can wish for. Looking on from afar, what have you made of the rivalry in England, between particularly Liverpool and Manchester City, because both teams over the last five or six years have been absolutely top-notch? Yeah, I think, because of these two teams, I think Premier League is one of the top leagues in the world, or definitely the best league in the world, in my eyes. The quality that they are showing Liverpool and City, for example, this year, Arsenal, you know, it's really great, and the fans love this football, the fans really love the football, what the teams are showing in Premier League, that's why they watch the Premier League, and when you have that strong opponent, it gives, you need to take the best out of you, you know, to compete with them, and they were doing these two clubs, of course, this season, Liverpool were a little bit behind, but sometimes it happens, you know, it happens to all the teams, you know, you drop the form a little bit, the players are a little bit tired, you need to find another motivation, change a little bit of air in the dressing room, and then go again, and that's, you know, what hopefully we'll do with Liverpool for the next season. Well, I'll ask you about Manchester City in the final at the moment, I will keep you on Liverpool for one question, because obviously this week they've signed Alexis McAllister, and you're talking there about a regeneration, what sort of a signing is that for the club? Yeah, I think I'm happy with the signing, of course, because he's showed his quality for Argentina, he's showing every week in Premier League for Brighton what he's capable of, so he's definitely a quality player that will strengthen Liverpool midfield, you know, some fans are calling that we need better players in the midfield, we'll see, I still think we've got good players in midfield, and it's just a matter of time, they will show that regularly. Let's talk about this final then, because we're in Istanbul, Manchester City and Inter Milan, how do you see it playing out tomorrow night? Yeah, definitely City are the favourites, because last few months they are showing tremendous form, you know, the way they beat Real Madrid was really impressive, for some teams probably frightening, because they play really unbelievable football, and that's why they are the favourites, but of course Inter Milan, they like to play defensive, you know, and they like to go on the brakes, or control attacks, so they must be patient, I think City must be patient, you know, they probably will control the game, but they must be patient, don't make mistakes, it's the final, anything is possible, but of course, City are the favourites. And how do you as a player deal with the emotion of such an occasion? Back in 2005, how did you deal with that as a group? Well, as a group, of course, we prepared for the game 10 days, and you can't see the goals after one minute, so probably that was the inexperience of our team, and I was quite calm, because I knew I would not start the game, so I was not that nervous, but of course for the starters it's a different feeling, but when I see the side that probably will start for Manchester City, they're all experienced players, you know, they play so many games, of course, not the Champions League final, but different, probably much tougher games, and so they'll be fine, they'll be fine, I won't be surprised if, no, they'll be fine. Thank you for your time, really appreciate it, Vladimir Smicha, back in Istanbul, he was here in 2005 lifting the trophy, this weekend it's about Inter Milan and Manchester City.