At the time of writing, it is a little over 24 hours left for the first couple matches of this season’s UEFA Champions League to kick off. The biggest competition in club football history. The competition to see which club can finally beat Real Madrid in the finals (I kid, of course). Initially named the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, or simply the European Cup, this famed competition has seen a plethora of football teams lift the trophy. But ever since it’s inception, no club has gone close to surpassing the team which won the first edition in 1955-’56, who coincidentally also happen to be the reigning Champions, Real Madrid. Los Blancos won their 13th title (their third consecutive win) after *another* display of fantastic football from Zinedine Zidane’s boys. But now that Zizou’s packed his bags, and their golden boy, Cristiano Ronaldo left for Italy, it is doubtful that they’ll be making that number 14 this season. But hey, that’s just me.

Over the decades, we have seen countless matches, moments and goals that’ll forever remain etched in the minds and hearts of football matches everywhere. Who can forget Zinedine Zidane’s volley in the 2002 Champions League final? Or Manchester United’s incredible comeback in the 1999 final to snatch the title away from Bayern Munich? Steven Gerrard’s (typical) stunner against Olympiakos in the 2004-’05 season. John Terry’s slip in the 2008 final during shootouts (United fans, where y’all at?!). Only a handful of moments.

Now what I’m gonna do is put together a list. A list of what I think are the 10 best Champions League matches played in the 21st century. For those of you who still think 20 years ago means 1990, take a reality check. It’s almost 2020 now (yikes).  I might have missed out on a couple according to some, so please forgive me if I have, because there have been PLENTY of matches to choose from. Since there’s gonna be a LOT to read, and I’m pretty sure you lot might not read the whole thing, I’m going to split the list between two posts. This article will reveal my 10-6 greatest matches this century.

So let’s get to it.

10. Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid | 2013-’14 Final.

May 24, 2014 | Estadio da Luz, Lisbon

Real Madrid 4 – 1 Atletico Madrid

Do not let this scoreline give you any idea about how this match was played out. Diego’s Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, who were chasing the double after winning the La Liga, were absolutely heroic in defence, and were a unit for almost the whole match. After taking the lead in the 36th minute through Diego Godin, Atletico were able to repel the best efforts of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Angel di Maria for the remainder of the 90 minutes. That is, until a certain Sergio Ramos popped up with one of his trademark headers to equal the scores during injury time. But even till the first half of extra time, the score remained level. But the last 15 minutes of the match was open season on Atletico, with Bale, Marcelo and Ronaldo (try keeping him out of the scoresheet) finding the net, resulting in Real Madrid’s coveted La Decima – their 10th European Cup. A hard fought, but deserved victory.

9. FC Barcelona vs. Manchester United | 2010-’11 Final.

May 28, 2011 | Wembley Stadium, London

Barcelona 3 – 1 Manchester United

 

When Sir Alex Ferguson, a manager who has literally seen it all, done it all and won it ALL calls this Barcelona team the greatest team he ever faced, you’d have to imagine what they had to do in order for Sir Alex to hold them in such high regard. There is no other way to say this, painful though it is for me, Pep Guardiola’s men wiped the floor with United. An absolute masterclass. Tiki-taka football at it’s finest. Leo Messi, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta at the height of their powers. This team ran circles around United, with players like Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand, Nemenja Vidic and Edwin van der Saar playing for the club.

Messi was at his otherworldly best up front along with Pedro and David Villa, while the midfield trio of Xavi, Iniesta and Sergio Busquets with their intricate passing, movement and possession gave United none of the ball. Pedro’s finish put the Catalan club in front, but it was cancelled out by Wayne Rooney’s brilliant finish after a excellent move by the Red Devils. But that only forced Pep’s team to shift the team up several gears, and they were untouchable. Messi surged forward, regained the lead for Barcelona, and David Villa’s curler from outside the box gave Barcelona the title. I don’t think you’ll be seeing any of Pep’s future teams play like this ever again.

 

8. Bayern  Munich vs. Juventus | 2015-’16 Round of 16, Second Leg.

March 16, 2016 | Allianz Arena, Munich

Bayern Munich 4 – 2 Juventus

 

The Allianz Arena was prepared for a thriller, after a wild 2-2 draw in Turin in the first leg. Paul Pogba gave Juventus the first goal, while an excellent counter attack orchestrated by Juventus’ Alvaro Morata was finished off brilliantly by Juan Cuadrado. After over 70 minutes, all seemed lost for the Bavarians. Robert Lewandowski cut the deficit by one in the 73rd minute. Juve held on till the death, which was when Thomas Muller added in a second to send the match to extra time.

Goals from Thiago and Kingsley Coman (on loan from Juventus) in the second period of extra time sent Coman’s parent club crashing out, and the Germans through to the quarter finals. A banger of a match.

 

7. Borussia Dortmund vs Malaga |      2012-’13 Quarterfinal, Second Leg.

April 9, 2013 | Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund 3 – 2 Malaga

 

Malaga were on track to become the story of the 2012-’13 UEFA Champions’ League. That story was sadly cut short by Jurgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund. Managed by Manuel Pellegrini, this Malaga team, spearheaded by a young winger by the name of Isco (heard that name somewhere, haven’t you?), Malaga had already shocked the world by reaching the quarterfinals in their first ever campaign. The first leg saw a 0-0 draw in Spain. Now Malaga had to face Borussia Dortmund in Signal Idunal Park in front of their famed Yellow Wall. Not only did they brave that, they excelled for most of the match.

Joaquin gave Malaga a shock lead in the 25th minute, but Robert Lewandowski restored parity just before half time. In the 82nd minute, it was Portuguese winger Eliseu who had almost certainly booked the Spanish club’s place in the semis. Nothing short of two goals would reverse the tie for Dortmund, and the first didn’t even arrive until the first minute of stoppage time.

That goal was scored by Marco Reus. Malaga tried to hold on, but tragically lost as Dortmund, through Felipe Santana snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

Malaga’s main man, Isco, left for Real Madrid the following summer. He has won 4 Champions Leagues till date.

Malaga haven’t returned to the Champions’ League since that heartbreaking defeat.

 

6. Chelsea vs. Liverpool | 2008-’09 Quarterfinal, Second Leg.

April 14, 2009 | Stamford Bridge, London

Chelsea 4 – 4 Liverpool

 

There’s only one expression you can think of when you see this scoreline. Goal fest. Chelsea had virtually put this draw to bed when they won 3-1 at Anfield in the first leg. But a Fabio Aurelio free kick and a Xabi Alonso penalty brought the Reds level by half time. Chelsea turned on the style with Didier Drogba goal from an almost impossible angle. This was followed by a bullet of a free kick from Alex five minutes later. Frank Lampard added a third, making the score 3-2 in Chelsea’s favour. Lucas and Dirk Kuyt tried to lead a fightback by adding two more goals for the Reds, but Lampard’s late strike made the aggregate 7-5, ending any chances of a Liverpool win. A match for the ages.

 

Got this far? Good. I’ll be putting out my top 5 very soon. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for the rest of this article.

 

Sarma out. For now.