PERHAPS THE MOST improbable of all Champions League comebacks, the Reds were 3-0 down against Milan at half-time and facing potential embarrassment, before a couple of quick-fire goals ultimately got them back level and inspired them to an unlikely triumph on penalties.
2. Deportivo La Coruna v Milan – Quarter-final (2004)
Then the reigning holders of the Champions League, Milan had earned a 4-1 first-leg lead against Deportivo and looked a certainty to go through. The Spaniards, though, had other ideas, and proceeded to thrash their opponents 4-0 in the return leg.
A 3-1 first-leg Champions League loss proved the straw that broke the camel’s back, as Andre Villas-Boas was sacked as manager of Chelsea. Roberto Di Matteo took charge ahead of the second leg, and consequently, the Londoners pulled off a miraculous 4-1 win after extra-time. Some suspected it might be their year thereafter, and so it proved, as Di Matteo ultimately led Chelsea to European glory.
Real Madrid had secured a 4-2 win at home in the initial encounter between the sides, and the tie appeared effectively over in the second leg, when Raul put them 5-2 up on aggregate. However, inspired bizarrely by on-loan Madrid striker Fernando Morientes, with a little help from the Spaniards’ incredibly dodgy defence, underdogs Monaco fought back to win 3-1 on the night and progress on the away goals rule.
Down 1-0 and having been outclassed by Bayern Munich for much of the game, a fantastic season looked set to end in bitter disappointment for United. However, in the dying moments, they proceeded to do the unthinkable, and scored two goals in two minutes — courtesy of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham — to secure a first European Cup win for the Red Devils since 1968.
5 Champions League miracles City can take inspiration from ahead of tonight's clash
1. Liverpool v Milan – Final (2005)
PERHAPS THE MOST improbable of all Champions League comebacks, the Reds were 3-0 down against Milan at half-time and facing potential embarrassment, before a couple of quick-fire goals ultimately got them back level and inspired them to an unlikely triumph on penalties.
2. Deportivo La Coruna v Milan – Quarter-final (2004)
Then the reigning holders of the Champions League, Milan had earned a 4-1 first-leg lead against Deportivo and looked a certainty to go through. The Spaniards, though, had other ideas, and proceeded to thrash their opponents 4-0 in the return leg.
3. Chelsea v Napoli – Round of 16 (2012)
A 3-1 first-leg Champions League loss proved the straw that broke the camel’s back, as Andre Villas-Boas was sacked as manager of Chelsea. Roberto Di Matteo took charge ahead of the second leg, and consequently, the Londoners pulled off a miraculous 4-1 win after extra-time. Some suspected it might be their year thereafter, and so it proved, as Di Matteo ultimately led Chelsea to European glory.
4. Monaco v Real Madrid – Quarter-finals (2004)
Real Madrid had secured a 4-2 win at home in the initial encounter between the sides, and the tie appeared effectively over in the second leg, when Raul put them 5-2 up on aggregate. However, inspired bizarrely by on-loan Madrid striker Fernando Morientes, with a little help from the Spaniards’ incredibly dodgy defence, underdogs Monaco fought back to win 3-1 on the night and progress on the away goals rule.
5. Man United v Bayern Munich – Final (1999)
Down 1-0 and having been outclassed by Bayern Munich for much of the game, a fantastic season looked set to end in bitter disappointment for United. However, in the dying moments, they proceeded to do the unthinkable, and scored two goals in two minutes — courtesy of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham — to secure a first European Cup win for the Red Devils since 1968.
Originally published at 06.15
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