From this observer's vantage point high in the concrete bowl of the vast but unlovable Ataturk Stadium, the differences were easy to note. To the north, behind their allocated end the huge Liverpool support gathered around a video screen, many up to six hours before the game, to savour the unique passion. In comparison, Milan's southern end was conspicuously sparse and silent.
The number of travelling faithful that remained outside the ground at kick-off illustrated the draw of the occasion. With around 40,000 of the 70,000 supporters in the ground wearing Liverpool red - the official allocation was 20,000, don't forget - Anfield had moved en masse to Turkey for the evening. Milan? They sent tickets back.
Although the Italian end's choreographed pre-match display almost overshadowed the organisers' own colourful if confusing commemoration of the proceedings, off the pitch there was only one winner last night. The same winner as on it. It made for an unforgettable sight that evoked memories of the glories of Rome, Wembley and Paris. And in truth, those fans had to make their own atmosphere. The
Ataturk Stadium may be a commendable feat of architecture but, placed as it is on the top of a remote dusty mound on the outskirts of Istanbul with just two access routes, a natural cauldron of emotion it is not. Such a pity the eventual outcome was not the same.
So now what? Well, despite last night's unbelievable success, Benitez will no doubt begin the process of drawing an large line underneath this current Liverpool side, an outfit that has excelled in cup competitions but has grossly underachieved in the Premier-ship.
The Istanbul experience - from the qualifying round, the memorable Anfield nights of Juventus and Chelsea through to last night's epic encounter - has whetted the appetites of both supporters and those players who will survive the summer cull. That, though, is for another time. These
Liverpool players and Benitez himself have notched their names in Anfield folkore, forever a piece of history in the club's rich tradition.
Twenty years on after their last appearance on this stage ended in horror and shame, Liverpool Football Club has left an infinitely more positive mark on the Continent's premier occasion.
The fans and the players can both be proud. Football genuinely does not get much better than this.
