In the 2005 UEFA Champions League Final between Liverpool and AC Milan, Milan were on the verge of securing a famous victory after taking a commanding 3-0 lead by halftime. However, a combination of mistakes, both individual and collective, led to their dramatic collapse and eventual defeat. Let’s break down the key mistakes that contributed to Milan’s downfall:

1. Milan’s Defensive Lapses in the Second Half

Milan entered the second half with a comfortable 3-0 lead, but they underestimated Liverpool’s resilience and allowed complacency to creep into their play. Their defensive organization, which had been solid in the first half, began to crumble for several reasons:

• High Defensive Line: In an attempt to maintain control of the match and keep possession, Milan continued to play with a high defensive line. This allowed Liverpool to exploit spaces behind them. With Steven Gerrard and Djibril Cissé making runs into the channels, Milan’s defenders, like Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini, were caught out of position on several occasions.
• Inability to Track Runs: Milan’s defenders were often caught ball-watching and failed to track the runs of Liverpool’s attackers. The first goal of the second half came from a Steven Gerrard header, which exposed Milan’s defensive fragility. When players like Gerrard and Luis García started making more aggressive runs, Milan struggled to pick them up, allowing for the quick goals that followed.

2. Lack of Midfield Control and Complacency

Milan had dominated possession in the first half, with players like Kaka pulling the strings and Andrea Pirlo dictating the tempo. However, they were unable to control the game after halftime for several key reasons:

• Loss of Focus and Desire: Leading 3-0, Milan may have relaxed mentally. This loss of focus allowed Liverpool to gain momentum. Players like Kaka, who had been pivotal in the first half, seemed less involved as Liverpool pressed higher and disrupted Milan’s passing lanes.
• Defensive Midfield Issues: Milan’s midfield duo of Gattuso and Pirlo was unable to shield the defense effectively in the second half. Pirlo, often brilliant at controlling the game, became a spectator as Liverpool gained possession and began pressing forward. Similarly, Gattuso struggled to maintain his usual intensity and couldn’t disrupt Liverpool’s counterattacks.

3. Inability to Adjust Tactically

While Liverpool’s tactical switch (pushing higher up the field and playing more aggressively) was key to their comeback, Milan failed to adjust to the change in tempo.

• Failure to Counter Liverpool’s Pressing: Liverpool’s decision to press high and force turnovers quickly caught Milan off guard. Milan, used to dictating the tempo, was now forced to defend and play on the back foot. Rather than adjusting their own tactics to maintain possession or slow down the pace, they seemed to continue playing in the same manner, which played into Liverpool’s hands.
• Milan’s Over-commitment to Attack: Milan kept pushing forward, even after the first goal was conceded. Their attackers, particularly Filippo Inzaghi, pushed high up the pitch in search of a fourth goal, leaving huge gaps in the defense. This led to further counterattacks by Liverpool, who were exploiting Milan’s defensive weaknesses.

4. Key Individual Mistakes

While Milan’s team as a whole struggled to maintain their composure, a few individual errors contributed significantly to their downfall:

• Dida’s Goalkeeping Error: Milan’s goalkeeper, Dida, was caught off guard by Vladimir Smicer’s long-range shot, which seemed to have little power but dipped and caught him by surprise. Dida’s positioning and reaction were poor, and this error allowed Liverpool to level the score at 2-2. A goalkeeper of Dida’s caliber was expected to do better, and this mistake shattered Milan’s confidence.
• Defensive Errors by Alessandro Nesta: Milan’s defensive leader, Alessandro Nesta, made a few mistakes in the second half that directly contributed to Liverpool’s goals. His positioning was off, and he allowed Gerrard and Cissé to break through, which exposed the Milan defense. Nesta, usually a rock at the back, struggled with the high pressure and quick tempo that Liverpool imposed in the second half.
• Filippo Inzaghi’s Missed Opportunities: While Inzaghi was clinical in the first half, he missed a key chance in the second half, particularly a disallowed goal for being offside. Although the referee’s decision was correct, Inzaghi’s inability to capitalize on his chances further exposed Milan’s mental fragility during the second half.

5. Milan’s Lack of Composure in the Penalty Shootout

After a remarkable comeback from Liverpool, the match went to penalties. Milan’s psychological collapse was evident in the shootout:

• Missed Penalties: Milan’s star players, such as Andriy Shevchenko (one of the best penalty takers in the world at the time), missed their chances. Dudek’s brilliant save on Shevchenko’s penalty sealed the victory for Liverpool. Milan’s players, after the emotional toll of conceding three goals in such a short span, lacked the composure needed to secure the win in the shootout.
• Liverpool’s Nerve: In contrast, Liverpool’s players showed calmness under pressure. Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, and others converted their penalties, and they remained mentally strong throughout the shootout. Milan’s inability to match Liverpool’s composure in these final moments was a key factor in their defeat.