🏆 Champions League, 5️⃣ recent finals you may have forgotten! Mou too 👀 | OneFootball

There are finals that are remembered for years and years, matches that define an era. No one can forget the all-Italian derby of 2003 in the splendid setting of Old Trafford, or Milan-Liverpool in 2005, or the incredible 4-1 in 2014 with which Ancelotti’s Real Madrid lifted La Décima, at the end of a crazy match taken to extra time by Sergio Ramos’ header deep into stoppage time.

But there are also other finals that, apart from the fans of the two teams, few people remember. The value of these matches is the same as any other grand final but, for one reason or another, they have not stayed in the memory. 

2023/24, Dortmund-Real: 0-2

A surprising final, because that Borussia Dortmund side was certainly no powerhouse. Yet the Black and Yellows made it all the way to face Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid and for one half they seriously threatened to pull off an upset against Los Blancos. 

Courtois’ saves, however, kept Los Blancos afloat, before they went on to win it in the second half through Carvajal and Vinicius. 

2021/22, Liverpool-Real: 0-1

Real were involved once again, and the script was very similar to the final against Borussia Dortmund. In Paris, Liverpool largely controlled the match, hit the post in the first half, and finished with 23 shots - 9 of them on target - compared to Madrid’s mere 3.

For Ancelotti, though, Vinicius’ burst on the counterattack was enough, but once again the MVP was Courtois, who shut down every inch of his goal.

2018/19, Tottenham-Liverpool: 0-2

Not a great match, opened after just 2 minutes by Salah’s converted penalty and wrapped up in the 87th minute thanks to Origi’s goal, as his diagonal finish beat Lloris.

An all-English clash from which much was expected, given the paths the two teams had taken, reaching the final thanks to genuine feats in their respective semifinals (against Ajax for Spurs, against Barcelona for the Reds). The reality, however, disappointed neutral fans.

2003/04, Monaco-Porto: 0-3

Jumping back to the early 2000s and what was, in all likelihood, the most unexpected final ever. No Real, Bayern, Man United or Barcelona: instead, two outsiders like Monaco and Porto battled for the Champions League.

In the semifinals, Monaco knocked out Chelsea, while the Portuguese side got the better of Deportivo. It was the beginning of José Mourinho’s legend, as after winning the Champions League he would move to London, before later joining Inter. 

1990/91, Red Star-Marseille: 0-0 (5-3 on pens)

Perhaps few people know this, but right after hosting the 1990 World Cup, Italy also staged the Champions League final. It was played at the San Nicola in Bari, now the stadium of a team just relegated to Serie C.

A thoroughly forgettable match, decided on penalties. 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

📸 GABRIEL BOUYS - AFP or licensors