Former Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele has revealed how he blames an act of selfishness from John Terry for losing the 2008 Champions League final to Manchester United in Moscow.
It’s almost been 16 years since Manchester United last won the Champions League, beating Chelsea on penalties after John Terry and Nicolas Anelka missed their spot kicks.
After a 1-1 draw in Moscow, the 2008 Champions League final went to penalties. Petr Cech’s save from Cristiano Ronaldo had put nerves in the air if they weren’t already pre-existing on such a big night in European football.
The shootout went to sudden death and Edwin van der Sar ensured the Red Devils lifted the trophy.
Sadly for United fans, the team is not competing for the biggest honours in football, but at least we’ve reached the Europa League final this season.
If United win the Europa League, they will be competing in the Champions League next season, despite finishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images
Claude Makelele blames John Terry for Champions League failure
Chelsea had no shortage of stars in their squad back in 2008. Michael Ballack, Juliano Belletti, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole all kept their cool from the spot.
That didn’t stop John Terry wanting a slice of the cake as he stood up for a spot kick before both Salomon Kalou and Anelka.
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Speaking on talkSPORT’s The LineUp show, Makelele said: “The dressing room after the game was like fire. There was no happiness whatsoever – it was a sad place to be.
“We made a big mistake ahead of the penalties. We had an order which was agreed with the players and the manager, but it changed at the last minute.
“It was supposed to be Salomon Kalou taking the last penalty but John [Terry] took the opportunity off him.
“I think we lost this connection because football is very harsh sometimes and, if you don’t do things the right way, you get punished.
“I was very angry when he missed the penalty because it was a chance that I knew a lot of the young players wouldn’t get.
“I’d won the Champions League before but, in this moment, John had to be the leader and do what was best for the team.
“He didn’t make sure we won the trophy, he tried to be a hero. If he knew this, he would have been a hero because he would have lifted the trophy.”
Terry not only missed his penalty, he slipped on the spot for extra effect before United celebrated into the night.
Manchester United want similar outcome in Bilbao
United have another all-English final to look forward to against Tottenham next Wednesday night.
Thousands of football fans will be travelling to Bilbao, the northern region of Spain, to watch the famous Manchester United take on Tottenham.
United will be looking to come out on top against English opposition like they did in 2008 in beating Chelsea.
Tottenham have struggled as much as United this season, but they also managed to beat the Red Devils on three occasions in two different competitions.