GOAL ranks all of Europe’s top competition winners thus far in advance of the 2023 championship match between Manchester City and Inter. The final of the Champions League. It’s the most significant game on the football club calendar, usually including legendary teams and frequently the world’s top players at the time. It can sometimes exceed expectations in the most remarkable ways.
Unfortunately, sometimes, it just doesn’t. While Inter looks to defy the odds and win their fourth title, their first since accomplishing so under Jose Mourinho in 2010, Manchester City will aim to win their first European championship on Saturday.
Will it become a classic right away? Or will it be a night that the winners will never forget and the losers will never forget? Let’s find out together.
- 2001: Bayern Munich 1-1 Valencia (5-4 pens)
The 2001 championship game was as dull as one could anticipate from a match where the only goals were from penalties, followed by a shootout to decide the winner.
Three minutes in, Gaizka Mendieta broke the deadlock. Moments later, Bayern was handed a spot-kick, and Santiago Canizares made a strong argument for being the day’s hero by tipping Mehmet Scholl’s attempt.
However, after 120 minutes of football in which opportunities were scarce, Oliver Kahn would win the title alone after Stefan Effenberg stepped up and scored a penalty in the second half.
The renowned Bayern goalie made two saves in the shootout, cementing his place in club and Champions League history.
- 2003: Juventus 0-0 AC Milan (2-3 pens)
Since both of these teams bring aging squads to the table and are well acquainted with one another, it seems too apparent to start with the competition’s lone goalless final. Nevertheless, the 2003 Champions League final was hardly epic.
Before Antonio Conte and Andrea Pirlo began to back off, things started rousing with Andriy Shevchenko having a goal disallowed wrongly, many would argue, and both players hitting the woodwork.
As Carlo Ancelotti ruled supreme against the team that had fired him two years prior, it was a masterclass in defense, with Alessandro Nesta being especially dangerous.
Even if Shevchenko’s goal should have stood, it ultimately made no difference because Milan won the penalty shootout after extra time ended in a goalless draw.
- 2004: Porto 3-0 Monaco
A thrilling Champions League final between two unexpected winners is usually guaranteed, but not if one of those teams is led by Jose Mourinho.
In his farewell match before departing for Chelsea, the Portuguese coach masterminded a tactically perfect performance to guide his well-oiled Porto team to European success.
Carlos Alberto broke the tie with a beautiful volley, and Deco followed up with the goal his outstanding performance deserved.
Dmitri Alenichev provided a decisive finish on a calm and unremarkable occasion, the kind that Mourinho’s career hasn’t seen much of.
- 2007: AC Milan 2-1 Liverpool
Two years after letting Liverpool win the Champions League trophy in 2005 despite holding a 3-0 lead, Milan finally got their retribution in the 2007 final.
Although Liverpool had the better start in the first half, Andrea Pirlo’s free-kick went in after deflecting off Filippo Inzaghi, and Kaka finished the scoring with an excellent finish from close range.
With only a minute remaining, Dirk Kuyt gave the Reds a response, but Milan emerged victorious in a far less dramatic and thrilling manner than when they faced each other two years before.
- 2009: Barcelona 2-0 Manchester United
Pep Guardiola led Barcelona to La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and ultimately a Champions League triumph in his first season as manager. It was an incredible season.
In a match against a comparatively weak Manchester United, where Cristiano Ronaldo was most ridiculous, attempting shots from every conceivable angle and distance, Stadio Olimpico was left wondering as tiki-taka stole the show.
Before Lionel Messi, dancing past opponents all evening, headed in Barcelona’s second goal, Samuel Eto’o poked the ball under Edwin van der Sar for a 1-0 lead.
Despite the scoreline, they were a class above Ferguson’s team in a far less competitive match than expected.
- 2014: Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid
If a Madrid derby in the Champions League wasn’t thrilling enough, this match was sure to be a spectacle because of Real Madrid’s unwavering fixation with “La Decima” and the fact that Atletico had won the league title at Camp Nou only a few days prior. It did not let me down, either.
After Diego Godin gave Atletico the lead in the first half, especially with Diego Costa hobbling off, the only question was whether their strong defense could hold out Real’s elite offense.
The response was given spectacularly—a firm no.
With a stoppage-time header, Sergio Ramos sent the match into extra time. Inspired by Angel Di Maria’s genius, Gareth Bale, Marcelo, and Cristiano Ronaldo would all take advantage of Atletico’s despair to win an incredible 10th European championship.
- 2018: Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool
The 2018 Champions League final was indeed anticipated to be one for the Neutrals—90 minutes of attack-oriented football between two teams vying for the biggest reward in club sport.
Though there was a lot of drama afterward, Mohamed Salah’s injury ended the possibility that this would become a classic.
In an odd move to break the deadlock, Loris Karius lobbed the ball toward Karim Benzema’s extended leg. Sadio Mane balanced from close range, and Gareth Bale joined the game.
The unfortunate Karius, who was later reported to be suffering from a concussion caused by Sergio Ramos, pushed the Welshman’s speculative shot into his net. The Welshman then produced a stunning overhead kick to rival manager Zidane, the best score in a Champions League final.
Though not in the traditional sense, it was undoubtedly entertaining.
- 2021: Manchester City 0-1 Chelsea
In the 2021 final, Manchester City and Chelsea faced off for the third time in six weeks. As expected, their mutual familiarity made for a very uneventful game in Porto.
When Kevin De Bruyne was taken off with less than an hour remaining due to a terrible face injury, his relative anonymity exposed a lack of individual brilliance in a false nine role. Half-chances and body-on-the-line defense characterized the evening.
Even though Kai Havertz’s goal just before halftime decided who would win the trophy, his rude post-match remarks gave the impartial party a superb overview of the whole affair.
- 2022: Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid
That was a poor final off the field. Liverpool supporters were attacked with pepper spray and tear gas after being charged with disruptive behavior. After several months, a thorough investigation revealed that UEFA was primarily to blame for organizational and safety lapses while spectators had trouble entering the stadium.
It wasn’t the most thrilling game overall, but Real Madrid’s goal stood out as one area of the field with genuine star quality. Thibaut Courtois was the focal point of this encounter. The Belgian was so good at the Stade de France that he received a fantastic 9/10 in the player ratings provided by the notoriously harsh L’Equipe.
After Vinicius Jr. gave Real Madrid the lead with a straightforward tap-in from an incredible Federico Valverde cross, Courtois took center stage as Los Blancos celebrated their 14th European victory by making many title-winning saves after he had already made several solid ones.
Conclusion
So hurry and get your Champions League final tickets now! Once they are sold, you will miss the fantastic opportunity to watch your favorite players play on the field.
