A FOOTBALL MIRACLE AT THE ATATURK

Reds win can inspire underdogs Inter to put the bite on City

THIS weekend is the first time the Champions League final has returned to the Ataturk Stadium since the Miracle of Istanbul in 2005. And the parallels are obvious.

The north of England against the north of Italy, one dominant team - seen as the best in the world and the best of their generation - with the tag of overwhelming favourites. And underdogs who were not supposed to be in the final, with a distinctly ordinary team who finished miles off the pace in their respective leagues.

Yet there is one crucial difference.

In 2005, it was the Italian side AC Milan who were described as possibly the best Europe had ever seen, with a team of superstars who were considered unbeatable in the final.