Istanbul to host 2020 Champions League final in return to Ataturk Stadium – the scene of Liverpool’s famous comeback against AC Milan
- Liverpool came from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan in Champions League final
- 2005 showpiece is widely regarded as one of the best finals in history
- UEFA announced the decision following executive committee meeting in Kiev
- The Ataturk Olympic Stadium saw off competition from Lisbon’s Estadio da Luz
Istanbul will host the 2020 Champions League final as the showpiece match makes a return to the scene of Liverpool’s famous triumph over AC Milan in 2005.
European football’s governing body UEFA announced the decision following its executive committee meeting in Kiev, the host city for this year’s match between Liverpool and Real Madrid.
It was also announced that Gdansk in Poland will host the Europa League final in two years’ time.
Liverpool famously came back from 3-0 down to overcome AC Milan in the 2005 final
Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard will both have fond memories of the Ataturk Stadium
Before that, Atletico Madrid’s new home, the Wanda Metropolitano, opens its doors to the Champions League final next year with the Europa League heading to the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku.
The Reds may see Thursday’s news as a good omen, as Istanbul was the host city when they last won the competition.
The Ataturk Olympic Stadium, the venue chosen by UEFA for the 2020 showpiece, witnessed one of the greatest ever Champions League finals 13 years ago.
Steven Gerrard inspired Liverpool’s comeback from 3-0 down at half-time against AC Milan to eventually prevail on penalties following a 3-3 draw after extra-time.
The game has gone down as one of the most memorable in the competition’s rich history.
Ataturk Olympic Stadium will no doubt provide an atmospheric venue for the 2020 final
The Ataturk can hold 76,000 supporters and saw off competition from Lisbon’s Estadio da Luz for the right to host.
The 2020 Super Cup between the Champions League and Europa League winners will be at Estadio do Dragao in Portugal while the women’s Champions League final will be staged at Austria Arena in Vienna.
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