Former Chelsea and Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho revealed the moment against Liverpool that caused him the most heart ache
As he reflects on his illustrious career managing some of Europe's top football clubs, new Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho admits that one particularly tragic moment involving Liverpool and Chelsea still lingers in his mind.
Mourinho reveals worst moment of Chelsea career
In a candid game of 20 questions with TNT Sports, Mourinho was asked by Rio Ferdinand to name a football moment that continues to occupy his thoughts. Without hesitation, Mourinho responded, “Champions League semi-final, lost with a goal that was not a goal.”
The moment Mourinho alludes to occurred during the Champions League semi-final in 2005. Liverpool, having managed a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge, were set for a tense second leg at Anfield.
Just four minutes into the match, Luis Garcia scored a controversial goal as Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech's misjudgment allowed the Spanish forward to scoop the ball towards the goal.
Despite William Gallas' desperate attempt to clear it, the referee ruled the ball had crossed the line and with no goal-line technology available at the time, the call was allowed to stand, leaving Mourinho and Chelsea to rue the decision.
Liverpool lift Champions League after ghost goal
The goal proved decisive as Liverpool held on to their 1-0 lead, securing their place in the final in Istanbul, where they would go on to achieve one of the most remarkable comebacks in football history against AC Milan.
After going into the half-time break 3-0 down, Liverpool produced a miracle to overturn the deficit before beating AC Milan on penalties in one of the most memorable games in Champions League history.
For Mourinho, however, the memory of that semi-final loss remains a painful reminder of what could have been as he ultimately failed to lift the Champions League in his two spells as Chelsea coach.