The Champions League has produced memorable moments. From spectacular goals to historic performances, Europe’s premier competition always delivered. However, Champions League comebacks have been a staple. Here are Top 5 comebacks in the competition. Bet on football here.
Top 5 Champions League comebacks: 2005: AC Milan 3 v 3 Liverpool (Liverpool win 3-2 on penalties)
Liverpool phenomenal comeback against AC Milan in the 2005 final, dubbed the “Miracle of Istanbul’ is one of the best, if not the best comeback in the competition’s history. Against all odds, the Reds managed to claw their way back and win the game. This is despite being 3-0 down at half time. Rafael Benitez’s men were beaten although that AC Milan side, managed by Carlo Ancelotti boasted some of the best players in the world. The likes of Hernan Crespo, Andriy Shevchenko and Paolo Maldini were on the team sheet. The Reds still scored three goals in a space of six minutes to level the tie. Milan were stunned and they did not recover in the match. In addition, European Player of the Year Shevchenko, missing the decisive spot-kick.
Top 5 Champions League comebacks: 1999: Manchester United 2 v 1 Bayern Munich
There is nothing that hasn’t been said about this famous comeback in the 1999 final. Chasing an unprecedented treble for an English club, Alex Ferguson team’s dream was close to dissipating. The Red Devils were trailing 1-0 with just three minutes to go. Nevertheless, super subs, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham scored twice in added time to seal a historic treble. This is up there as one of the best Champions League comebacks of in the competition’s history.
Top 5 Champions League comebacks: 2017: Barcelona 6 v Paris St Germain 1
The Catalans have been involved in a few spectacular comebacks in the last few years but this one ranks up there. PSG’s 4-0 win in Paris was a seen as a coming of age moment for the underachieving expensively assembled squad. Yet, in the return leg at the Camp Nou, they were shell-shocked. Barca produced an extraordinary comeback, winning 6-1 and knocking the Parisians out. They were 3-0 up in the 50th minute but Edinson Cavani’s goal at the half-hour made things interesting. Neymar scored Barca’s fourth and fifth goals in the 88th and 91st minutes. Moreover, Sergi Roberto’s goal at the death was the final nail in the coffin.
2004: Deportivo La Coruna 4 v 0 AC Milan
In 2004, Spanish side Deportivo la Coruna were huge. They were perennial title contenders. They not only threatened Barcelona and Real Madrid’s duopoly but also broke it in 2000 when they won La Liga. Reigning champions Milan had thrashed Deportivo 4-1 in the first leg at San Siro. With that result, Deportivo were dead and buried right? Wrong. Javier Irureta’s side stunned and embarrassed Ancelotti’s side in an entertaining encounter. Walter Pandiani opened the scoring after just minutes. Juan Carlos Valeron doubled the lead in the 34th minute while Albert Luque made it 3-0 before half time. Milan could not recover and skipper Fran finished the job with a fourth in the 76th minute. Although they now ply their trade in the Spanish second division, they left a mark with one of the most memorable Champions League comebacks.
2019: Liverpool 4 Barcelona 0
These two European giants have produced some memorable moments in the competition but Liverpool’s comeback last year was one for the ages. Down 3-0 from the first leg, Liverpool faced an uphill battle against a Lionel Messi led Barcelona. In fact, the Reds were missing Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. Not only that but also no team had also previously come back from such a margin at the semi-final stage of the competition. Lionel Messi, who scored twice in the reverse fixture was non-existent throughout the match this paved way for Liverpool to thrash Barcelona 4-0 and went on to lift their sixth European title.
2018: Roma 3 v 0 Barcelona 0
After a 4-1 win in the Nou Camp, Barcelona went to Roma looking certain of a place in the semi-finals. However, it all went downhill at the Stadio Olimpico. Edin Dzeko scored early to give Roma confidence and Daniele De Rossi added a second from the penalty spot. Kostas Manolas’ 82nd-minute header broke the heart of the Catalans knocking them out of the competition.