The year of football celebration is at full speed and let's be honest — football small talk (or any talk for that reason) is going to be inevitable in the upcoming months up until the World Cup madness. That's why we think we should just all indulge in the sweet memories of the greatest matches or bet which new derbies are going to make history. We already discussed our top picks for the best World Cup finals, but today we would like to walk down the memory lane and look back at Champions League matches that we still cannot get out of our heads.
Barcelona vs PSG (2017)
It feels just like moments ago but two last-16 matches amongst these rivals took place last year and boy oh boy, what feelings they brought with them! It seemed like a done deal for PSG, the team and its manager already looking ahead into the quarter-finals but Barcelona had a different scenario in mind. After a sensational 4–0 win in Paris, the French team looked sharp before the second leg in Camp Nou, ready to take the glory in front of the home audience of the Catalonian team. But then Barcelona happened — the team scored 6 goals and took home the victory, stealing the hearts of their fans yet again. Neymar — back then still on the Barcelona pitch — scored 2 goals in 2 minutes, with Sergi Roberto making the score final in the very last moments of the game. That night Barcelona definitely made one of the most extraordinary and fun to watch comebacks in the history of the tournament. Ever.
Barcelona vs Chelsea (2012)
Barcelona made football fans celebrate yet another amazing match in the season of 2011/2012 but this time they did not make it further. This was definitely a very dramatic match and a very dramatic encounter of the teams, with Chelsea going into the finals with a 3–2 win in total. Barcelona had it very good at the beginning, with all the cards seemingly working for the team, as the Chelsea captain John Terry was sent off the pitch as well. Spirits were up high when Barcelona was awarded a penalty but their Argentinian star Lionel Messi did not manage — we bet he still remembers that moment from time to time… The god of football is definitely a trickster, and Chelsea got their happy ending when Fernando Torres sent the final goal past Victor Valdes.
AC Milan vs Liverpool (2005)
We still remember this day as if it was just yesterday — the emotions in Istanbul and by the TV screens were pretty much unreal. Milan was definitely owning the first half of the game, scoring 3 goals and making a lot of fans all across the world already send their greetings to the new champions in the cup. But these congratulations came a little bit too early. Liverpool sent the ball past Dida three times in more or less six minutes. It seemed like Rafael Benitez’s team rose from the ashes and regained their power minute after minute. But the real hero of the match was the goalkeeper of Liverpool, Jerzy Dudek making (more than) great saves in extra time and saving a penalty from Milan's Andriy Shevchenko. This was undeniably one of the greatest victories of the championship. Do you remember what you were feeling that night?
Real Madrid vs Monaco (2004)
Who expected much from Monaco in the season of 2003/2004? We'd like to hear your take on the spectacular Champions League tournament of this French marvel, leading its way with striker Fernando Morientes — funnily, Real Madrid was Morientes' parent club and he was at Monaco on loan. Monaco, led by former French superstar Didier Deschamps, smashed Madrid's chances to go into their fifth straight semi-finals. That season Monaco ended up losing to Porto, an unlikely winner as well, having won semi-final matches against yet another grand — Chelsea. As for Morientes, he ended up being the top scorer of the tournament, with 9 goals. Yet another regret for Real Madrid, don't you think?
Deportivo vs AC Milan (2004)
We must admit that our beloved tournament in the season of 2003/2004 was one crazy voyage, with many surprises and amazing moments that define football. Deportivo was one of those moments. Deportivo lost their first quarter-final game 1–4, and there was little hope for the fans and the team itself. But goals from Walter Pandiani, Juan Carlos Valeron and Albert Luque brought Deportivo into a new position — a winning position, to be precise. Afterwards, many observers have said that Milan's defence was below itself although the whole success of the team was almost built on it. Deportivo was definitely one of the biggest winners of the whole season.
Real Madrid vs Manchester United (2003)
This derby brought many emotions and many great moments for both teams and their fans. But it was Real Madrid's Ronaldo who pretty much destroyed Manchester United's dreams to make it further — into semi-finals. Ronaldo scored a wonderful hat-trick in the second leg of two matches, and although the Spanish giant lost the match 3–4, they still surpassed the Manchester team. There were some questions about the choices of both Sir Alex Ferguson and Vicente del Bosque — leaving David Beckham on the bench, then calling him form the substitutes and letting the player score twice for the team. More than 66 000 people came to Old Trafford to root for their beloved team but it was just not enough — Ronaldo and his spectacular team won the quarter-finals and eventually losing to Juventus in the next round.
Manchester United vs Bayern Munich (1999)
Talking about an emotional final! Bayern opened the result very early in the game, and it looked like they have secured the title, pretty much until the very end of the game. Except they did not — magic happened, and Manchester team managed to score two goals in two minutes, making their fans and pretty much everyone go crazy. And both goals were scored after winning a corner — not a happy moment for the German team. The title was basically ripped from Bayern and they had nothing else to do but to accept the glorious victory of Sir Alex Ferguson's team.
So much passion and so much drama, these matches have left no one indifferent. At Ticombo, we certainly hope that the future derbies of this Champions League season are going to take us to the moon and back if you know what we mean. There is no denying that Champions League has always been one of our favourite events, and we are more than happy to bring you the experience of the football games live —come to Ticombo, take a look at our website and browse through the matches you don't want to miss.
Let us know what matches should have ended up on the list and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to be in the know!
