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Champions league is the holy grail of football. It is the ultimate glory in the world of club football, and as befitting a Cup held in such high esteem, it draws the most extreme of preparations. Money is thrown about, Championship winning teams are altered and several philosophies are adopted to lay hands on the most coveted trophy in club football. In the most extreme corners are also the teams that have resorted to a dull, sub-standard style of play to minimise risk and thereby increase the chances of winning.Here is a list of 4 teams that have embraced the dark side of football to win the trophy.
#1 AC Milan (2002-03)
The AC Milan team of 2003 reads out like a who's who of footballing legends from the last decade and yet, despite the opulence of their line-up, they failed to ignite the imagination quite as they were capable of. Under the tutelage of current Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, Milan stuttered past teams en route to wining the trophy.
Despite boasting the likes of Rivaldo, Seedorf, Rui Costa, Shevchenko, Inzaghi and Pirlo in their team, Milan's game play lacked the chutzpah of teams past, often feeding off of slender one goal wins to stay in the competition. A draw with city rivals, Internazionale was expected to draw fireworks, but the fixture as with others in the competition, succumbed to a meek defensive showing and ended up with a scoreline of 1-1, Milan winning on away goals.
In the build-up to the final, sins of past matches were forgotten and forgiven and expectations were sturdily built. Milan were declared the favorites. What ensued in the final has been described as the most boring final in the modern champions league era. The game ended goal less and the subsequent extra time also shared the same score line. 5 of the first 7 penalties were saved, almost as if the game was averse to any kind of goals.
#2 Porto (2003-04)
It is perhaps one of the greatest sporting stories of our time and will remain to be for all eternity, but Porto has to be one of the least entertaining sides to have won the champions league. It is perhaps a bit unfair to call them boring - they did lack the glamour and world class players of bigger sides - but they wouldn't have won it playing any other way.
Looking back on the team, it might look like a decent squad, with the likes of Deco, Ferreira, Maniche and Carvalho, but back then these were not the well renowned players they have become today. Porto built the season on strong defending, quick counter attacks and lots of luck. It all made for a very good story in the end, but the amount of time Porto players spent without the ball, they may have been playing some other game altogether.
#3 Inter Milan 2010
The Inter Milan side was more about an indomitable spirit than about footballing class. They played with their backs to the wall and with a spectacular show of will and courage were able to break past teams like Chelsea and Barcelona.
It is the second Jose Mourinho team featuring on this list and it definitely indicates towards a more realistic tactical approach by the special one. Unmoved by occasion or pressure, he set up his team to be effective rather than beautiful and achieved what he set out to do. It certainly made the fans happy but not so much for the neutrals to celebrate.
The Internazionale side of 2010 were a special bunch and they certainly achieved more than was ever expected of them but they didn't blaze any new trail en route. They weren't aesthetically pleasing or even relentlessly dominating, but just efficient, and that'll always be their legacy.
#4 Chelsea (2011-12)
The Chelsea of Di Matteo will always have the tag of being the most boring side to ever win the champions league. Despite boasting some great attacking players, the London side resorted to an ultra defensive strategy, which has since gained notoriety as 'parking the bus'.
Let not the style of their play overshadow their achievement, for it was a great one, but glory aside, there's not much to celebrate. The play was one dimensional and evoked negativity from all quarters. It is no surprise that despite the win, Abramovich was quick to rebuild the squad and install a new manager.
