Champions League final, which one is your favourite? | UEFA Champions League
Since the inception of the UEFA Champions League in 1992/93, the finals have given us sublime spectacles.
But which one is the most beautiful of all ??
Milan-Barcelona 4-0 (1994)
“It’s perfection,” said Milan coach Fabio Capello following his club’s victory in the biggest UEFA Champions League final ever.
If Johan Cruyff’s Barcelona looked like favorites on paper before the match played in Athens, the Catalans were quickly overwhelmed. Daniele Massaro scored twice before the break, then Dejan Savićević and Marcel Desailly scored on their return from the dressing rooms. A one-way meeting, but quite a show.
Manchester United 2-1 Bayern (1999)
Alex Ferguson was not known for his outpourings, but even he found himself overcome with emotion after his players scored two added-time goals as they trailed 1-0 to Bayern in Barcelona.
“I haven’t said anything to my players yet,” he told reporters immediately after the game. “I just kissed and hugged them. I’m just happy. »
Substitutes Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær are the two goalscorers of the Camp Nou winners, protagonists of one of the most sensational scenarios in football history.
Liverpool 3-3 Milan (aet, 3-2 pens, 2005)
“There wasn’t a big party right away,” Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann recalled of what has since been called the Miracle of Istanbul. “It was rather unbelief that reigned. »
And it is no coincidence that the Reds got off to a disastrous start, led by a brilliant Milan who were ahead by three goals at half-time. But everything changed in eight minutes, with the guidance of Rafael Benitez, then with masterful shots on target.
Man United 1-1 Chelsea (aet, 6-5, pens, 2008)
“I played the match well, scored, then missed the shot on target,” Cristiano Ronaldo recalled of the 2008 final in Moscow. “It would have been the worst day of my life (if United hadn’t won).”
CR7 put the Red Devils ahead in the first all-English final but Frank Lampard equalized before the break. Ronaldo failed to convert his shot on target, but John Terry’s swerving pace leveled the sides before United won 6-5.
Barcelona 2-0 Men. United (2009)
There was a sense of a passing of the torch as Josep Guardiola’s FC Barcelona beat the holders in Rome, goals from Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi proving decisive.
The tiki-taka had already offered the Catalans La Liga and the Spanish Cup, explained midfielder Andrés Iniesta: “It was the first hat-trick (for a Spanish club). It’s something truly unique, magical and something that will always be remembered.”
Chelsea 1-1 Bayern (aet, 4-3 pens, 2012)
Thomas Müller’s goal seven minutes from time looked to have earned Bayern a well-deserved win in a home final, but Didier Drogba didn’t get it and fought back. Petr Čech then saved an extra-time penalty, scored by former teammate Arjen Robben, to give Chelsea a 4–3 shoot-out victory.
“It was written,” said Drogba, who was sent off when his team lost in the final in 2008. “I believe a lot in destiny. It was waiting for us for a long time, but we didn’t know it. »
Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid (ap, 2014)
Bayern saw last-minute goals slip away from the trophy in 1999 and 2012 and this time it was Atlético’s turn to suffer as well, in a derby to boot.
Diego Simeone’s side led through a Diego Godín goal in the first half, but Sergio Ramos equalized with a late-game header. Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Ronaldo made matters worse by scoring in extra time. “I will always keep this happiness with me,” commented Ramos after the final.
