In football as in life, certain places bring back good memories. In this little memory game, it is difficult to come and compete with Andreï Chevtchenko, as the list of lawns that he has marked with his talent is long. From the Dynamo Lobanovski stadium in Kiev to San Siro, in Milan – where he wrote his legend -, via Madrid or Munich, the center forward has triumphed wherever he has gone, or almost.
First at Dynamo Kiev, where he won five consecutive championships and reached the semi-final of the Champions League in 1999. The one nicknamed “Cheva” then enchanted AC Milan for seven years (1999-2006), winning all the individual and collective titles possible, from the championship to the Serie A top scorer trophy, of which he was twice winner. The highlight was the Golden Ball, awarded in 2004, his last major coronation with Milan. To date, he has the richest record in the history of players from the former Soviet bloc.
Former Inter Milan and Torino player, Benoît Cauet has crossed paths with the Ukrainian on several occasions in the Italian championship. Their first pass dates back to October 1999, during the famous Milan derby, during which the young Cheva – who arrived in Italy a few months ago – scored the equalizing goal. The former French midfielder details:
“I did not expect to witness the emergence of a phenomenon, but he had this great strength in front of goal. He was a very great finisher. He didn’t necessarily catch the eye at first, but he always found the solution in the game. I think it was his intelligence that made all the difference. “
Chelsea, a two-year-old blues stroke
One of the former scorer’s first big disappointments dates back to the 2005 Champions League final between Milan and Liverpool in Istanbul. Winners of the 2003 edition, Chevtchenko and the Lombards lead three goals to zero at the break and believe they are already holding the trophy. But the Rossoneri see Liverpool return to 3-3, before losing in the shootout. The Ukrainian misses his, the Reds lift their first “cup with big ears” since 1984.
His story with England continues seven years later. We are in June 2012, during the last group match of the Euro played in Ukraine. At stake, a place in the quarterfinals and a possible first in the history of the country. Yet domineering, the Zbirna tilts (1-0) and leaves the tournament in the first round. The Three Lions cut short the last dance of the Ukrainian captain, who decides to hang up the crampons, at 35 years old.
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