Hamman Reveals That Rafa Benitez Didn't Let Luis Garcia Take a Penalty on That Famous Istanbul Night

Published on: 10 March 2017

Liverpool's Champions League final comeback in Istanbul in 2005 is perhaps one of the most historic chapters in the European tournament.


The Reds, led by Rafa Benitez, managed to claw their way back from a 3-0 deficit to eventually beat AC Milan on penalties.


It all took place 12 years ago, but to this day, members of that Liverpool squad are still asked about the momentous occasion, and they're quite happy to relive those cherished moments every now and again.

Former Germany internationalDietmar 'Didi' Hamann was a part of the group who lifted the coveted trophy after one of the most dramatic nights in Europe.


The 43-year-old, who spent seven years with the Reds, had a huge impact on the game, as his introduction inmidfield allowed Steven Gerrard to push forward.


He also scored from the spot in the shootout, which the Reds won, despite not having practiced penalties at all that season.


"We only practiced (penalties) in pre-season," the ex-midfielder revealed on Eamon Dunphy's podcastThe Stand.

"That's going back 10 months (before the Champions League final), our first pre-season tour with him. We were there (in the United States) for about 10 days with him, and on five or six days we had to take three or four penalties each.


"He (Rafa Benitez)may have made some notes leading up to the game, but (otherwise) we never practiced.


Hamann claims that Benitez had him take the first spot kick, but later found out that the manager hadtold Luis Garcia that he wouldn't be allowed to participate.


"He came up to me, and this is all in blur because you're in the zone and you think, 'Wow, we're still here, we should be back home now... we've got a chance now'.

"And he came up to me, and he said: 'You're taking a penalty'. I just nodded."About a minute, two minutes later, he came back to me and said: 'You take the first one'.


"I think it was pretty much set (the order of penalty takers), because obviously Steven Gerrard would have taken the last one.


"(Djibril) Cissé was a penalty taker, (Vladimír) Šmicer was maybe a bit of a surprise, but he would have volunteered. And (John Arne) Riise was the only one who missed, he would have volunteered.

"Luis Garcia wanted to take one, I found that out afterwards. He (Benitez) said: 'No, you're not taking one'."


Garcia confirmed as much during an interview withBleacher Report.


"Yes, I asked to be in the first five, but Rafa didn't let me," he admitted."He said I was too tired."

Kavan Flavius is a regular contributor to the Official Chelsea Guest Fan Blog, find him on Twitter @KavanFlavius.


Comments