The Magic of Istanbul: Reminiscing the last time Istanbul hosted Serie A and EPL teams in the UCL final ahead of Man City, Inter clash

As Manchester City and Inter Milan prepare for the biggest game of the season, we look back to the last time a Premier League side clashed with an Italian opponent in Istanbul in the UEFA Champions League final.

Dubbed The Magic of Istanbul, the game is regarded as arguably the greatest final in the competition's history as Liverpool staged a remarkable comeback from three first-half goals to snatch the title from then six-time champions AC Milan.

Atatürk Olympic Stadium, which will host Manchester City vs Inter Milan for Saturday's grand finale was the venue of attraction on May 25, 2005.

Milan Skipper Paolo Maldini gave the Rossoneri an early lead inside 50 seconds, getting on the end of Andre Pirlo's cross from the right flank.

Argentine striker Hernán Crespo added two more goals to give the Serie A giants a three-goal buffer before the halftime break.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerard began the comeback in the second half after heading home a sublime cross from Cafu to pull a goal back for the Reds.

Czech international Vladimír Šmicer scored Liverpool's second with a superb hit to make it two goals in two minutes for the English giants before Xabi Alonso completed the comeback from the rebound after Dida saved from the initial spot-kick.

It took the Reds only five minutes to level the score at 3-3.

The game progressed to extra time and ultimately to the shootouts with Rafael Benítez's side emerging 3-2 victors from the penalty shootouts.

Both teams would later clash at the same stage two seasons later with Milan emerging champions this time round with a 2-1 victory.

Check out the highlights below:



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