Top five Champions League comebacks

14 March,2013 03:55 PM IST |   |  Shawn D'souza

Champions League has some of the finest clubs in the world battling it out with each other. And for those teams to come from being battered and bruised, down and out to steal a victory is pure delight for one and all. Yesterday, Barcelona demonstrated how great a team they are after they won 4-0 against AC Milan in their Champions League clash.


Well, there are a few other such memorable matches that go down in history as some of the best comebacks in the Champions League. Let's take a look at those greats who rose from the ashes and went on to smell the sweetness of victory.

Manchester United faced one of their toughest seasons ever as they scraped through victories to reach the final against Munich. Bayern piled on the pressure instantly when Mari Basler scored in the sixth minute with a free-kick. The German club went on to dominate most of the match right until the end minutes of the game when United's Sheringham and Solskjaer achieved the impossible in stoppage time. The Reds won the game, and yes, the Champions League title!


Manchester United players celebrate Solskjaer's goal. Pic/ AFP

Chelsea came into the match comfortably seated in the driver's seat having won the first leg 3-1. In the 24th minute Rivaldo strikes which was followed by Luis Figo at the end of first half. But Barcelona was far from a victory. In the second half Chelsea counters to take the lead with a goal by Flo. A header by Dani brings Barca back to their fighting front as the game moves into extra-time. Barcelona push hard as hero Rivaldo nets in another followed by Kluivert to send Barca through to the semi-finals.


Barcelona's Rivaldo vies for the ball with Chelsea'su00a0Deschamps. Pic/ AFP

Paris St Germain and the world would have never seen what was coming on this night. After 55 minutes into the game the French club were confidently strolling to a win leading 3-0 with a brace from Laurent Leroy and Jay-Jay Okocha. But who would even dare to whisper a change of fortune. Entering as a subsitute Walter Pandiani scored an amazing treble along with a goal by Tristan a 4-3 win, thus, sending many PSG fans sobbing on their way back home.


Deportivo's Pandiani celebrates after scoring. Pic/ AFP

Coming into the second leg from a 3-1 defeat, the Blues knew they would have to bring their game against the Italian club. Star striker Didier Drogba opened up the account followed by skipper John Terry in the first half. But 10 minutes into the second half Napoli's Ilner scores to bring the team back in the lead. Chelsea's Lampard scores by penalty to take the game into extra time, where Branislav Ivanovic puts the icing on the cake as Cheslea steal a handsome victory.


Chelsea striker Drogba celebrates his goal. Pic/ AFP

AC Milan got an early lead in the Champions League final with Maldini scoring in the very first minute of the game. Hernan Crespo then added to Liverpool's woes by scoring a brace to put Milan on top 3-0 in the first half. Coming into the second half, Liverpool's all-time hero and captain Steven Gerrard led the fight back with a goal in the 54th minute. Smicer and Xabi Alonso followed suit to level scores. Come the penalties and the Reds' goal keeper Jerzey Dudek will be remembered for his infamous showcase of the ‘spaghetti legs' to deny AC Milan thrice, thus seeing Liverpool win 3-2 and lift their fifth Champions League title.


Liverpool lift their Champions League trophy. Pic/ AFP
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