5 most memorable UEFA Champions League finals of the modern era

Arguably the greatest sporting competition following the world cup, the UEFA Champions League is a tournament that requires more than just tactics or managerial inputs. It is a paradigm of sweat, tears, sacrifices, and brotherhood that the European giants put forward and fight for.

With 32 top-class teams, bringing top quality football from all over the continent for almost 63 years, this tournament is considered as the real test of a football player, be it a dominating club like Real Madrid, to the very recent and uprising Liverpool, who have shown that they can win the title as well.

With records broken every single season of this wonderful tournament, we are always in for a huge surprise, be it the individual credentials earned by the football players themselves, or the hard work that they put forward in order to win the famous trophy.

After a hectic group stage schedule, and a much conflicting yet entertaining round of 19, only two of these European giants clash against each other to be crowned as the 'best in the continent'. Since it's rebranding in 1992, the competition has given us more than what the football fans have ever dreamed of; With the modern era kickstarting and giving birth to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, it is more than just a delight to see these teams rising above all the odds.

With 2018 almost at its brink and a new season kicking off, we have picked out our 5 favourites and the most memorable UEFA Champions League finals of the modern era, right from the early 2000s to the present time.

---

#5 Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan - 2010 (0-2)

The much underrated Italian giants grabbed their first European silverware in 45 years.

Often referred to as Inter's 'breakthrough' season, 2010's Champions league finals sealed the treble for Jose Mourinho's side. With Bayern being the favourites for winning the competition, the Italian giants made sure that they were the superior ones.

With the possession being in their hand in the early periods of the first half, the German side looked more and more confident and seemed to be a threat to all of us, however, it all came down when the 'dark horse' Diego Milito dribbled past the likes of Van Bommel and Martin Demichelis, Milito surely was able to make it through the net and score his ultimate goal.

But he wasn't done, as his second goal sealed the deal for Inter that very night, and after a brief period of 45 years, they were able to grab the good ole' trophy with their head held high.

#4 Chelsea vs Manchester United - 2008 - (1-1, 6-5 Penalties)

Manchester United become the 'Kings of Europe' in 2008

An emotional night for both the English sides, as Chelsea's hopes of winning the famous title was obliterated by an equally matched Manchester United. With both sides scoring a goal in the first 90 minutes as a result of Cristiano Ronaldo's header and Lampard's unbelievable strike, the rivals were then taken to extra time, followed by a chilling penalty shootout.

With both teams hammering the ball past the nets, the first major shock was offered to the world when Cristiano Ronaldo took a penalty only to find it denied by Petr Cech's gloves. But the Red Devils didn't quite give up, as the legendary Edwin Van Der Sar stopped Ashley Cole in the need for a goal. With John Terry missing the penalty, and Nicolas Anelka not having his best time on the pitch, Manchester United took the title home in a much competitive fashion. Surely one of the most memorable finals in the history of the competition.

#3 Liverpool vs Real Madrid - 2018 (1-3)

Karius apologizing to the Liverpool fans

A straightforward victory for the Spanish giants, as the scoreline suggests, but that does not deny the fact that Liverpool did put on a tough fight for the Spaniards. The finals of this particular Champions League fixture wouldn't really be remembered for how the Madrid side won their 4th title in 5 years, but the disappointment experienced not just by the Liverpool players, but also by the fans all around the world.

With Mo Salah being injured in the first 20 minutes of the game, the Reds immediately lost their possession in the match, giving away the ball to Real Madrid on multiple occasions. In the early second half, however, Loris Karius pulled off something that most world-class goalkeepers wouldn't dare to commit even in their darkest of dreams; letting Karim Benzema intercept through his grounded pass to a teammate, allowing the Frenchmen to score the goal.

However, the night wasn't over, as the substitute Gareth Bale scored from an unbelievable overhead kick, which was then followed by an extremely unfathomable strike that Karius nicked behind the goal line, leaving the Reds more disappointed than ever.

The night ended with a plethora of sorrow and disdain, as the Liverpool fans would've wanted it otherwise.

#2 Chelsea vs Bayern Munich - 2012 (1-1, 4-3 Penalties)

Chelsea wins their first ever European

honour

With Roberto Di Mateo taking the reins of Chelsea's chariot back in 2012, replacing the much controversial Andres Villas-Boas, the blues completely shocked the world not just when they struck down FC Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals, but also in the finals of the competition.

With Bayern Munich, who were yet again the favourites for winning the competition, as they were in 2010, it turned out to be Chelsea's night, as they won the competition for the first time. But that wouldn't shy away from the fact that this particular fixture was easily one of the most thrilling and memorable finals in the history of the competition.

With a late goal from each side in the second half, the game was carried to the penalty shootout, as predicted by many. With Manuel Neuer making the first save, denying Juan Mata, many of us thought that Bayern had it in their pockets, but it wasn't up until Ivica Olic too was stopped by a much intimidating Petr Cech. The highlight, though, was when Bastian Schweinsteiger managed to hit the post, only to allow Didier Drogba to officially seal the deal for the Blues, making them the Champions of Europe for the very first time.

#1 Liverpool vs A.C Milan - 2005 (3-3, 3-2 Penalties)

Liverpool's willpower made them do the impossible

'Miracle', is what it truly was for the much underestimated Liverpool side, as AC Milan were much more confident and an obvious choice to win the tournament. With two of the most successful sides in the world colliding in the clear Istanbul weather, the Reds did something that was merely impossible to do. Winning the competition was a dream for most of the Liverpool players on the pitch, but with an extremely unbelievable prowess, they were able to make it a reality.

With a goal in the first 50 seconds, scored by none other than Paolo Maldini, Liverpool fans were shocked all over the world, as their hopes started collapsing; This was again followed by an unbelievable play put forward by Shevchenko, who found Crespo in the middle, only to let him score and make it 2-0.

However, the night was only getting worse for Liverpool, as Crespo made it 3 for the Italian side. But Liverpool wasn't quite ready to give up, as just 10 minutes after the halftime, Steven Gerrard scored from an unexpected header, bringing some hopes to the Reds. With Vladimir Smicer pulling off a stunning shot from almost 30 yards, Liverpool were now 3-2 and just a goal away from equalizing. A challenge on the Liverpool side and Alonso is the penalty taker, Liverpool capitalized immediately and made it 3-3.

With the penalty shootout being the obvious choice for both the sides, Jerzy Dudek was the man up front, who made sure that the likes of Serginho, Andrea Pirlo and Shevchenko didn't find their way past him and into the net, doing something that we would call as the 'Istanbul Miracle', as Liverpool won the competition, making it the most memorable night in the history of the sport.