5 greatest comebacks in the Champions League semi-finals

Is AC Milan's hope completely shattered following their 2-0 loss to Inter in the first leg of the semi-finals? Let's Betimate examines the most remarkable second-leg comebacks in the illustrious history of the UEFA Champions League.

By: Leey

05/14/2023 00:35

AC Milan faces an uphill battle after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Inter in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final matchup. The Rossoneri now have a daunting task ahead as they prepare for the return leg, where they will technically be the "away" team at San Siro.

Throughout the history of the Champions League, the away team has managed to overturn a first-leg deficit on only five occasions. However, it's worth noting that two of these instances resulted in victories on away goals, a rule that has been abolished from the 2021/22 campaign onwards. In contrast, home teams in the second leg have staged comebacks on numerous occasions, although it is less common for them to recover from a four-goal deficit or a three-goal deficit from the initial encounter, with such occurrences happening only once and three times, respectively.

The odds may be stacked against AC Milan, but the unpredictability of football means that anything is possible as they aim to mount a comeback and secure a spot in the Champions League final.

1. Liverpool vs Barcelona (2018/19 semi-finals)

Barcelona 3-0 Liverpool
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona

Liverpool vs Barcelona
Liverpool 4-3 Barcelona (2018/19 semi-finals)

Lionel Messi's double and Luis Suarez's goal handed Barcelona a commanding 3-0 advantage over Liverpool in the first leg at Camp Nou. With such dominant performances from the Blaugrana and Liverpool failing to score any away goals, Barcelona's place in the final appeared to be a mere formality.

However, what transpired at Anfield was a truly remarkable night for European football. Liverpool, exhibiting their finest form, decimated Ernesto Valverde's Barcelona as Divock Origi and Georginio Wijnaldum each netted a brace. With a resounding 4-0 victory, Liverpool secured their spot in the final, triumphing 4-3 on aggregate.

2. Tottenham vs Ajax (2018/19 semi-finals)

Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Ajax
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham vs Ajax

Tottenham 3-3 Ajax (2018/19 semi-finals)

The 2018/19 season witnessed remarkable comebacks in both semi-finals. Liverpool's comeback against Barcelona showcased their dominance, while Tottenham's comeback against Ajax highlighted their perseverance, determination, and unwavering spirit.

In the first leg, Ajax secured a 1-0 victory over Tottenham on their opponents' turf, courtesy of Donny van de Beek's sole goal. In the second leg, played at Ajax's home ground, the Dutch team took a commanding 2-0 lead with goals from Matthijs de Ligt and Hakim Ziyech. However, in a thrilling second half, Lucas Moura netted a hat-trick for the English side, propelling them to a remarkable 3-2 comeback win. Tottenham advanced to the final by virtue of the away goals rule.

3. Ajax vs Panathinaikos ( 1995/96 semi-finals)

Ajax 0-1 Panathinaikos
Panathinaikos 0-3 Ajax

Ajax vs Panathinaikos
Ajax 3-1 Panathinaikos (1995/96 semi-finals)

Panathinaikos caused a seismic shock by securing a 1-0 victory over Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena, courtesy of a late goal from Krzysztof Warzycha. With the second leg to be played at their home ground, Panathinaikos had a significant opportunity to secure a spot in the final.

However, against all expectations, Ajax produced a stunning performance in the second leg, crushing their opponents with a resounding 3-0 victory. Jari Litmanen netted a brace, while Nordin Wooter added a third goal. As a result, Ajax earned the right to advance to the final. Sadly, they were later defeated by Juventus in the final, ultimately losing in a penalty shootout.

4. Juventus vs Real Madrid (2002/03 semi-finals)

Real Madrid 2-1 Juventus
Juventus 3-1 Real Madrid

Juventus vs Real Madrid
Juventus 4-3 Real Madrid (2002/03 semi-finals)

In the semi-finals of the 2002/03 season, Real Madrid held a 2-0 advantage over Juventus after the first leg, courtesy of goals from Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos. Anticipation was high for an exhilarating contest in the second leg at the Stadio delle Alpi, Juventus' former home ground, considering the presence of world-class players on both teams.

However, it was Juventus who produced their finest football on the day. Goals from David Trezeguet, Alessandro Del Piero, and Pavel Nedved propelled the Bianconeri to a 3-1 victory in the second leg. Zinedine Zidane managed to score the solitary goal for Real Madrid. With a total aggregate score of 4-3, Juventus emerged triumphant and secured their place in the next stage of the competition.

5. AC Milan vs Manchester United ( 2006/07 semi-finals)

Manchester United 3-2 AC Milan
AC Milan 3-0 Manchester United

AC Milan vs Manchester United
AC Milan 5-2 Manchester United ( 2006/07 semi-finals)

The first leg of the 2006/07 Champions League semi-final between Manchester United and AC Milan was a goal-filled affair. Manchester United delighted their fans with three goals, courtesy of a brace from Wayne Rooney and a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo. AC Milan, in response, found the back of the net twice, both times thanks to Kaka, at Old Trafford.

However, in the second leg, Carlo Ancelotti's AC Milan turned the tide by defeating Manchester United 3-0. Goals from Kaka, Clarence Seedorf, and Alberto Gilardino propelled Milan to victory, securing their place in the final. With a total aggregate score of 5-3 in favor of Milan after two matches, they emerged as the triumphant team.

The second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals is scheduled to take place on May 16th (Inter Milan vs AC Milan) and May 17th (Manchester City vs Real Madrid).

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Written by: Leey

Leey is the reporter for Betimate. She currently has a series of articles about football. She specializes in researching football data to come up with evaluations about the tournament and predictions about the matches.

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