However, Thursday was a very different matter. The Romans had had their pride dented and certainly this time they bared their teeth. Top notch referee. Strangely, apart from the two penos, he had quite a good game in difficult circumstances. Roma clearly came to mix it. Hat’s off again to Sami and Stephane. How important it is to have a strong centre of defence. However, man of the match had to go to the Didi Man. His best yet for the Reds. Perhaps another final beckons, although Porto will be no pushover. That said, I fancy a winner to come from one of the four Spanish sides still in the competition.

Finally, what can one say about Sunday in Cardiff? It’s been five years since we graced a final. I’d forgotten what it was like. To say I was tense would be an understatement. I know it was only the Worthington (Worthless according to the ArmchairGooner), but boy was I relieved when Westerveld did his stuff. 

After a decent start, it soon became clear that the run of matches was taking its toll. The midfield was dead. Even Barmby and Mac struggled when they came on. Gerrard was a big loss. We’ll soon rely on him as the Mancs do Roy Keane. He’s become the heart and soul of the side. However, it was at the back where the tiredness really seemed to hit hard. Perhaps it was more mental than physical, exemplified by Henchoz’s two rash challenges, which almost cost us dear. While worrying, it was also excusable to some extent. The four at the back have figured as a unit in probably every game since Christmas. 

That we survived extra time was largely down to the excellence of Babbel. I know some people are still unconvinced about the lad, but those storming runs in extra time when he turned defence into attack seemed to galvanise the lads for one more effort. Here’s looking forward to a return trip in May.