The European Cup, as it used to be called, or its modern incarnation, the UEFA Champions League, is the crown jewel of club football silverware in the world.
Since the change in format back in 1993, the tournament has seen various changes in rules, participating clubs, sponsorships, and knock-out phases. Regardless, there have been a total of twenty-four finals since Marseille won the inaugural tournament back in 1993, and while some finals have lived to quality of past finals, others have slipped into absurdity.
The following list is based on my personal bias and analysis based on watching the entire game, historical context, and entertainment value. While some might agree or disagree on the rankings of certain finals, I encourage all my readers to understand that this is just my opinion, and should not represent their opinions. With that said, here are all twenty-four finals ranked since the inaugural tournament in 1993, up until this year’s final in Milan.
24. Juventus vs AC Milan (2003)
Score line: Juventus 0-0 AC Milan, AC Milan win 3-2 on penalties.
This final had all the elements of what makes a great final; quality teams, world star players, and a rivalry between two of Italy’s greatest teams. Yet the final ended in a scoreless draw that featured practically no excitement, and hardly any effort from either teams to score a goal. In the end, AC Milan won the title on a shady penalty shoot-out that had both goalkeepers step out of line to save the other teams shoot.
23. Bayern Munich vs Valencia (2001)
Score line: Bayern Munich 1-1 Valencia, Bayern Munich win 5-4 on penalties.
In a match that featured two teams that lost the previous two finals, Munich in 1999 and Valencia in 2000, there was plenty to expect these two teams. Valencia were in the hopes of winning their first European title, while Munich where hoping to win their fourth after a twenty-five year drought of not winning the title. Valencia started of strong with Mendieta scoring a penalty in the third minute, but Effenberg would equalize for Munich in the second half. Regardless, it would be Oliver Khan from Bayern Munich who would be the star of the game and helped Munich win their fourth title.
22. AC Milan vs Liverpool (2007)
Score line: AC Milan 2-1 Liverpool
The re-match of the miracle in Istanbul never lived up to the dram of the 2005 final, with Milan proving to be too organized and accomplished for a limited Liverpool. Inzaghi provided both goals for Milan, while Kuyt provided the only goal for Liverpool.
21. Barcelona vs Manchester United (2009)
Score line: Barcelona 2-0 Manchester United
If there ever was a time that can humble Manchester United in Europe, then that team might just be Barcelona. Both teams were equally matched in terms of star quality and reputation, but only one team could win. Manchester where reigning European champions, while Barcelona had had the chance of securing a treble. In the end, Barcelona won the game through the efforts of Xavi and Iniesta.
20. Marseille vs AC Milan (1993)
Score line: Marseille 1-0 AC Milan
The inaugural final of the Champions league saw AC Milan go up against French giant’s Marseille. Much to Milan’s effort, it would be Marseille who would win the game, and go on to become the only French club to win the Champions league.
19. Barcelona vs Juventus (2015)
Score line: Barcelona 3-1 Juventus
While both teams were worthy of winning the title, it would be Barcelona that proved to be the best in Europe. Barcelona started the game well, having scored a goal in the fourth minutes and even controlling the momentum in the first half. Juventus would answer back by having a goal scored in the second half, but it would be Suarez of Barcelona that would score the winning goal.
18. AS Monaco vs FC Porto (2004)
Score line: AS Monaco 0-3 FC Porto
The final that launched the career of Jose Mourinho and other Porto stars, this final will be remembered more for the post-game than the actual game itself. Porto proved too much for the French club as the score line suggest, but proved to be a boring match as Porto had too much control over the game.
17. Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid (2016)
Score line: Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid, Real win 5-3 on penalties.
The most recent final in the tournaments history, and the second between city rivals Real and Atletico Madrid featured practically the same teams from 2014 final, but without the same excitement. Atletico were by far the favorites to win the final, having beaten Barcelona and Bayern Munich, while Real had only beaten an underachieving Wolfsburg and Manchester City. Both Madrid clubs played an equal game of talent and wit, which saw the final go into penalties for the seventh time. Real would go on to win thanks to a miss from Atletico’s Juanfran, and a goal by their star Cristiano Ronaldo.
16. Barcelona vs Arsenal (2006)
Score line: Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal
Barcelona claimed their second European title in Paris over Arsenal thanks to a second-half comeback. While the world had their eyes on Ronaldinho and Henry, it was substitute Henrik Larsson that provided the assists that guided Barcelona to beat a well-balanced Arsenal.
15. Real Madrid vs Juventus (1998)
Score line: Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus
Juventus made their third successive final appearance with a team featuring Zidane, and Del Piero and came up against a team that were desperate to end their thirty-two year quest for seventh European title. In a fascinating, compelling match of contrasting styles, it would be Mijatovic who would score the only goal of the game, and give Real their first European title in thirty-two years.
Real Madrid claimed their
14. Real Madrid vs Valencia (2000)
Score line: Real Madrid 3-0 Valencia
This first final that featured two clubs from the same country, Real were back from their 1998 triumph in search of adding their eight title. On the other side of the pitch featured Valencia, who were playing their debut Champions league final (talk about terrible timing). It would be experience that would settle the game’s victor, as Real cruised over Valencia 3-0 thanks to the efforts of Morintes, McManaman, and Raul.
13. Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich (2010)
Score line: Inter Milan 2-0 Bayern Munich
Another Jose Mourinho triumph which hardly had anyone’s pulse racing, but which was admirable in terms of tactics and skills. Inter played defensively much of the game and tried to catch the German’s on the counter-attack, which the Italians did to perfection: as a brilliant brace from Diego Milito proved too much for Bayern to handle, which is enough to be ranked as one of Europe’s finest individual performances.
12. Ajax vs AC Milan (1995)
Score line: Ajax 1-0 AC Milan
While Milan had much control of the first-half thanks to the efforts of Marcel Deasilly and the attack support of Boban and Massaro, it would be a Milan player from the other team that would settle the game. Ajax’s veteran midfielder Frank Rijkaard would prove to be that player, as thanks to the efforts of Ajax’s youth, Rijkaard was able to score the winning goal.
11. Borussia Dortmund vs Juventus (1997)
Score line: Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Juventus
No one gave Dortmund a chance, yet the German squad had the last laugh when they went on to beat Juventus 3-1. Juventus were reigning champions of Europe and Italy at the time, and also had a team full of future legends including Zidane, Deschamps, Del Piero, and Peruzzia. Yet, it would be Dortmund’s head coach Ottmar Hitzfeld who crafted a plan that got the best out of Juventus, and their star goalie Peruzzia.
10. Barcelona vs Manchester United (2011)
Score line: Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United
In the game that featured the best Barcelona squad of all time, and above average Manchester United team, only one team was worthy enough to win the game. Barcelona were playing a beautiful tiki-taka style of football, while United were trying hard to break that system and score a goal. Barcelona proved too much for the former greats of England, as the Spanish squad were able to win the game in dominance and beauty.
9. Manchester United vs Bayern Munich (1999)
Score line: Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich
“Beckham into Sheringham and Solskjaer has won it! Manchester United have reached the Promise land” Clive Tyldesley, 1999
If you’re a fan of football, then at some point you heard these famous words. In the turn of the century, Manchester United and Bayern Munich were both on the verge of winning the treble, only needing the Champions league title. It was Munich who had must of the game, but it was United that won the title. It what is the most dramatic final minutes of stoppage time, United substitutes Sheringham and Solskajaer scored the two goals that would forever see their names grained in Manchester lore.
8. Ajax vs Juventus (1996)
Score line: Ajax 1-1 Juventus, Juventus win 4-2 on penalties.
A tremendous performance from Juventus who won their second and kicked of a Italian dynasty that would go on to win more trophies. Fabrizio Ravanelli put Juventus ahead in the 12th-minute after an error from van der Sar. Litmanen played life saver when the Ajax player scored the equalizer, sending the game to penalties after both teams failed to score a second. Edgar Davis and Sonny Silooy both had their shots blocked by Peruzzi, and Juventus were Champions once again.
7. Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich (2013)
Score line: Borussia Dortmund 1-2 Bayern Munich
An all-German affair in England, half of Germany made their way to Wembley in order to watch this exciting game between two great clubs. Munich came into the finals as heavy favorites having beaten Barcelona, while Dortmund were a close second having beaten Real Madrid. But ultimately Bayern proved to be a class of their own, as Robben scored the goal in extra time, sealing a treble consisting of Bundesliga and the German cup.
6. Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid (2014)
Score line: Real Madrid 4-1* Atletico Madrid, *Real and Atletico drew 1-1 in regular time and Real would go on to score three goals in extra time.
The first ever all-Madrid was nothing but amazing, packed with drama and some incredible performances from some of the world’s best players. For most of the game, Real were staring defeat straight into the face, as Atletico were able to get a scrappy goal in thanks to a poor performance from Reals goalkeeper Casillas. With the clock ticking away, it looked as if Atletico would win their first title, but Sergio Ramos had other ideas, putting a goal past Courtois for the equalizer. From this point on, Real controlled the game thanks to the performance of Angel Di Maria, Luka Modric, and Gareth Bale.
5. Bayern Munich vs Chelsea (2012)
Score line: Bayern Munich 1-1 Chelsea, Chelsea win 4-3 on penalties.
“Well they say the Germans never lose on penalties (Some reporter). They do now.” Ashley Cole after the game in Munich.
It was if the football God’s had penned a beautiful script for Bayern Munich: the Germans had the chance of winning their fifth title in their own stadium. All that stood in Munich’s way were a small but inferior Chelsea squad that weren’t even a tenth of the team they were in the 2008 final, and were also managed by caretaker Roberto Di Matte. Yet, someone forgot to mention this to Chelsea as the London club were able to hold of Bayern Munich until penalties, and somehow won 4-3 on penalties.
4. Manchester United vs Chelsea (2008)
Score line: Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea, Manchester United win 6-5 on penalties.
A final played at the height of the Premier League’s dominance in European football, this game proved to be something else. Cristiano Ronaldo’s header gave United an early lead before Frank Lampard leveler, with both teams heading the post multiple times, and even included Chelsea Didier Drogba being sent off for slapping a player. Despite the pouring rain, United were able to beat Chelsea on penalties thanks to the effort of United’s goalie Edwin van der Saar.
3. Bayer Leverkusen vs Real Madrid (2002)
Score line: Bayer Leverkusen 1-2 Real Madrid
By far the most even matched between that any two teams, the 2002 final between Real Madrid and Beyer Leverkusen proved to be a game of depth and skill. Real Madrid’s Raul placed Madrid up ahead after eight minutes before Lucio headed the games equalizer. Bernd Schneider was incredible in leading Leverkusen second-half attack and Iker Casillas pulled off a series of stunning saves as the goalie held on. The game was finally settled when Zidane scored a stunning ballistic volley that insured Madrid their ninth European title.
2. AC Milan vs Barcelona (1994)
Score line: AC Milan 4-0 Barcelona
The winner of the final, even before the ball was kicked, was Barcelona- or at least that was what everybody thought in the build-up to the game. AC Milan didn’t have a chance, as Alessandro Costacurta and Franco Baresi were suspended, and Marco van Basten and Gianluigi Lentini were out in injury. The “Dream Team” of Barcelona, meanwhile, had the likes of Romario, Stoichkvo, and a young Pep Guardiola and were playing some of the best football in Europe at the time. Milan would go on the dominate Barcelona, as the Italians were able to score two goals in each half, and send Barcelona packing back to Spain.
1. AC Milan vs Liverpool (2005)
Score line: AC Milan 3-3 Liverpool, Liverpool win 3-2 on penalties.
“I don’t think one can explain what happened” AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti after the game.
Without a doubt, this game stands as one of the greatest footballing comebacks in one of the greatest European cup finals of all time left those that witness the games in pure shock. AC Milan went into the game with a team full of future legends, and were able to put three goals in the first half. Liverpool then somehow managed to not only score three goals in six minutes, but managed to hold off AC Milan until penalties. Then thanks to some heroic efforts from Liverpool’s Dudek, Liverpool were able to make the impossible possible.
