As Andrea Pirlo prepares to take to the pitch in his fourth Champions League final, and first with Juventus, not many may be aware that this moment might have never arrived. Back in 2005, the man who is widely known as on of the continent's finest midfielders was part of an AC Milan side seeking their second Champions League win in two seasons.
And at the end of the first 45, it all looked like it was going the Diavolo's way as they had raced into a three goal advantage over Liverpool. However, what would transpire over the next 45 minutes of regulation time would mark the greatest comeback - and most confidence-shattering - result that fans have seen in recent times.
After missing his spot-kick in a penalty shoot-out that, given Milan's prior advantage, should not have happened, the now 36-year-old admitted in his autobiography Penso Quindi Gioco (I Think, Therefore I Play) that he considered hanging up his boots due to the huge psychological blow and aftermath that had him doubting his abilities as a footballer.
Breaking point: Pirlo considered retiring prematurely after a heart-breaking loss to Liverpool in the 2005 UCL final
Fortunately for Italy, and Milan, he did not as he would go on to win the World Cup with the Azzurri a year later and a second European crown with the Rossoneri in 2007, getting revenge on the Reds that scuppered their Champions League dreams two years prior in the process.
Yet, despite winning two Scudetti and two Champions Leagues, Pirlo spent much of his final season with Milan struggling with injuries and found it hard to nail down a spot in the starting XI under Massimiliano Allegri.
Ironically, three years following a move to Juventus on a free transfer from Milan after being told his services were no longer needed - and winning three Scudetti in the process - he has now been re-united with Allegri. Despite having his fair share of injury troubles - certainly as a result of his advancing years - this time around Pirlo has seen the former Milan boss ensure he enjoys a key role in what could possibly be his last season plying his trade in Serie A.
Then and now: 4 years ago, Pirlo won a Scudetto in his last season and Allegri's first with Milan...
...and now has won another league title and a Coppa Italia in Allegri's debut term with Juventus. Is a Champions League on the cards as well?
In his second time working with Allegri during the retired midfielder's debut season Pirlo has again enjoyed success on the domestic front, including Juve's first Coppa Italia win in 20 years. And given his class in the middle of the park, it is no coincidence that the Bianconeri have quickly returned to the summit as Italy's top club and are finally making inroads in re-establishing themselves among Europe's elite.
When his transfer to Turin was announced, Pirlo's international teammate Gianluigi Buffon was quoted as saying, "When Andrea told me that he was joining us, the first thing I thought was: "God exists". A player of his level and ability, not to mention that he was free, I think it was the signing of the century."
And, the iconic shot-stopper could not help but make a sly dig at Milan's Adriano Galliani for allowing Pirlo to leave so easily:
"When I saw (Milan chief executive Adriano) Galliani in the summer I told him, 'Thanks, because you're really trying to balance out the championship."
Buffon, who has played alongside Pirlo at national level for well over a decade, was shocked that Milan executive Galliani allowed the esteemed midfielder to depart on a free transfer to a Serie A rival
Indeed is no surprise that Milan's midfield has taken a nose-dive in the creative department since Pirlo's departure, whilst Juve's has grown into one of the top group on the continent as Pirlo has thrived alongside the energetic trio of Arturo Vidal, Claudio Marchisio, and Paul Pogba. On Saturday, his expertise will be again called on as he hopes to avoid a repeat of the EURO 2012 final, in which Italy were humiliated 4-0 by a Spanish side featuring many of the same Barcelona players who will feature in Berlin.
Will he succeed in winning his third Champions League trophy and in doing so, help la Vecchia Signora make history? Obviously, it will not be easy - Juve's task made even more daunting with the news that defensive stalwart Giorgio Chiellini is out with a calf injury. However, Andrea Pirlo is no stranger to this kind of event, having been both at the zenith of victory and at the nadir of defeat. It is often said that experience is the best teacher, and Pirlo is rapidly approaching professor emeritus status having won every single major trophy there is to win on the international and club stage.
In about 24 hours, he will take to the same pitch where he won a World Cup with Italy back in 2006. And despite Barcelona holding the clear advantage, Pirlo is certainly aware that the unexpected can become reality in a Champions League final - as he saw ten years ago in Istanbul as both he and Juventus seek to win their third trophy, seemingly against all odds.
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