Middlesbrough legend Massimo Maccarone opens up on UEFA Cup comebacks, missing the Carling Cup final and his relationship with supporters

"He’s here, he's there, he’s every (pauses for a moment) where Massimo, Massimo,” sings the former striker as he attempts to replicate the tune during a lengthy interview with BBC Tees Sport

It’s been over 14 years since the Italian, now 41, came off the bench, not once but twice, to complete two of the most remarkable comebacks you are ever likely to see.

Boro fans will know the story and will happily be reminded how their side came from three goals down against both Basel and Steaua Bucharest in the quarter and semi-finals of the 2005/06 UEFA Cup.

The images, videos and commentaries when Stewart Downing’s cross was converted by Maccarone’s diving header will live long in the memory – but what was the man himself feeling at that moment?

"The ball was coming and I believed the ball was coming there for my header,” Maccarone told BBC Tees Sport during a special Boro podcast.

"After was incredible because the people were happy outside and it was an incredible atmosphere at the Riverside. I remember I started to cry because I was happy.

"I didn’t want to leave the stadium, if it was up to me I would have stayed another hour in the stadium because the people were happy.”

"After we went to the restaurant, I think there were 1,000 Boro fans there.”

Yet things could have been very different for Maccarone, who joined Middlesbrough for a hefty fee in 2002 and was told he could leave the club two years later following the 2004 Carling Cup final.

The striker, who now has aspirations of pursuing a coaching career, was left on the bench as Boro claimed their first major trophy and was visibly upset after watching from the sidelines.

"I started to cry because I don’t like it when people tell me one thing and after they do other things,” Maccarone admitted. “I think this is not respect because I have respect for everybody.

"I remember after the semi-final against Arsenal and then we played another game at home, I don’t remember the team. The coach told me you are back from injury, you need to rest because in one month we have the best game for the people here and I want you fit for the final.

"After that I didn’t play one minute in any game one month before the final.

"I prefer when people come to me and say you are not fit so you are not playing, now I am a coach I will do that with my players to say always the truth.”

Despite scoring four goals in the Premier League after the cup final, Maccarone was told he could leave Boro by manager Steve McClaren, before he was allowed to join Serie A club Parma on loan.

"I was surprised because I did very well the last two months after my injury and for me I still wanted to play for Middlesbrough,” the striker revealed.

"But after he said you don’t have a chance I had to leave, I had to leave if I don’t get a chance and I went back to Italy for one year.”

The Italian returned to Teesside 12 months later and was once again told he could leave Teesside.

"It was difficult because it depends in your head what you want to do,” Maccarone explained. “For me I said I want to stay, I want to train good, if I have my chance I want to do well.

"In this season from the start of the season to the end every time I went to the pitch, not a lot, I always did well.”

Maccarone would still go on to make 30 appearances and play a key part during the 2005/06 campaign, most notably in the UEFA Cup matches.

The striker only came on for the final 23 minute during the quarter-final second leg against Basel, with Boro still needing two goals to progress.

And, after Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scored with 11 minutes remaining, it was Maccarone who netted the last-minute winner.

"It was normal, because we had to score, to put on a forward,” the striker recalled. “When I scored it was very good because I don’t know if the people saw but when I put my t-shirt on the floor it was for the bench.”

Less than a month later, Boro were in exactly the same position against Steaua.

Yet again, Maccarone was the match winner.

"Sometimes it is difficult because you did that one month before so maybe you believe that,” said Maccarone, who replaced the injured Gareth Southgate in the first half that night.

"It was hard but I think after we scored the first goal you start to think that (we can come back). After we scored the second and the third goals we still had 15 minutes but you have to do the perfect game.

"I remember when I came on to the pitch all the people were happy, similar when I started the warm-up, they maybe believed that and they helped us on the night.

"They pushed us to go up front and to score, the fans.”

Maccarone says he still keeps an eye on Boro’s results and watches highlights of his former club.

So what does the striker want to say to the Middlesbrough supporters who still hold him in high regard.

"I will never forget you in my life,” he replies when asked that very question.

"The fans believed in me and that is very important. I still remember the singing and every time they sing my name when I was on the bench or the warm-up, I never forget that.”

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