Sensational comebacks have become synonymous with the UEFA Champions League (UCL) over the years. In the current season as well Real Madrid had been part of three such humdingers. These matches really make people believe in miracles and drive home the point that the world including sports is not meant for quitters. Therefore, this is a perfect time to go through some matches of this season as well as previous seasons to relive the magic conjured up by the teams to emerge triumphant despite finding themselves on slippery slopes. Here are some marvellous turnarounds devised by the clubs in the Champions League in recent times.
Real Madrid (3) Stuns PSG (1) in 2022
Let us start with the current season itself. The Real Madrid orchestrated some incredible jailbreaks in the ongoing UCL edition and one among them was against PSG in the last 16. It is not easy when you are down by a goal previously in the first leg and then trailing by the same team in another crucial encounter, especially when you are pitted against a galaxy of awe-inducing soccer artists. However, the miracle man of Madrid, Karim Benzema scored twice in two minutes to hand Real a victory out of the blue. In the end, the scoreline of 3-1 in favour of Real Madrid simply failed to convey the degree of intrigue in the tale that unfolded in front of a jubilant Santiago Bernabeu crowd.
Ajax (4) Singe Real Madrid (1) In 2019
It was a cardinal sin to write off Ajax on the part of the Real despite a spirited display by the former in a losing cause (2-1) in the first leg against the latter. With their captain Sergio Ramos missing the match against Ajax due to a UEFA ban, Real put up one of their worst performances in a CL encounter. The Ajax scored four times thanks to Hakim Ziyech, David Neres, Dusan Tadic and Lasse Schone, whereas the Real could score only once through Marco Asensio. Resultantly, Madrid crashed out despite emerging victorious in the first leg of the Champions League encounter in 2019. What was even more tragic was the fact that the “Real” meltdown happened right in front of a jam-packed Bernabeu.
Roma (3) Downs Barcelona (0) In 2018
A year after in a tragic turn of events, Barca suffered at the hands of Roma away from home.
Eusebio Di Francesco’s side staged a coup to rise like a Phoneix from a 4-1 first-leg deficit to storm into the last eight on the basis of away goals after a riveting 3-0 triumph at home. Barca was left heartbroken after Edin Dzeko, Daniele De Rossi and Kostas Manolas eked out a 4-4 aggregate draw for Roma, sending the spectators at Stadio Olimpico into a tizzy. This happened to be a unique comeback in the history of Champions League Quarters.
Barcelona (6) Sinks PSG (1) In 2017
Barcelona also effected a stupendous turnaround some four and a half years back and it was indeed very very special as they were trailing 4-0 previously from their first leg encounter of the last 16. This match transpired when the Catalan Club had both Messi and Suarez in their mix but had lost Neymar to PSG. With such a huge deficit before the match, PSG obviously had the upper hand but two goals from Messi and Neymar narrowed down the wide gap a bit. But, the joy proved short-lived for the Barca when Edinson Cavani struck a crucial blow to bring the Spaniards back to square one. Afterwards, two quick goals from Neymar brought the scoreline to 5-5, which almost sealed the fate of Barca. However, Sergi Roberto scored a decisive goal to the delight of the Catalan club. This was the first time a team managed a turnaround after entering the field with huge baggage from a previous encounter.
