Former Leeds United midfielder Dominic Matteo has recalled two of the finest moments from his time at Elland Road, which features two memorable matches for fans.
Matteo was part of the Leeds side that reached the Champions League semi-finals in the 2000/01 season, which included a victory over AC Milan at Elland Road and a draw in the Italian side's famous San Siro stadium.
In the away match in the first group stage, Matteo scored Leeds' only goal in the game in the 1-1 draw, opening the scoring before Serginho's equaliser.
Matteo has spoken about the importance of that goal on a personal level, which meant a lot to him due to his family's heritage.
“With my Italian roots, my father and my grandfather, they went to watch that game or have seen that game, it was an amazing day for me. I didn’t get many days like that as a player, I wish I had and won more stuff, it was gutting not to have won as much as I could have done at Liverpool or at Leeds," he told Sky Sports' Football Show.
“It was an amazing journey, I loved my time at Leeds and playing in that team in the Champions League was absolutely fantastic. The Leeds fans turned out in numbers, as they always do, and it’s something we’ll never forget. I just wish we got to the final because I think we were capable of doing that, it just wasn’t meant to be.”
A few years later, Matteo played a key role in a famous victory against Arsenal at Highbury in 2003 - which secured Premier League survival for the Whites and denied the Gunners the title.
Matteo provided the assist for Mark Viduka's late winner in a dramatic 3-2 triumph, although the Australian striker was clearly offside.
“VAR would have had a few words to say about that! It was an incredible day, the fans had a brilliant day out in London that day.
“It probably did feel like it was the back end of that Leeds team. The players that we lost throughout the campaign, losing the quality we did, it was difficult to then push on but that team, Mark Viduka and Alan Smith up front, what a handful they were. They were causing havoc all around Europe and in the Premier League. They were one of the key things on why we did so well.”
