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The UEFA Champion League is the biggest prize of the European football. The best teams from across the continent compete to have their name engraved on the historic trophy. The thrill of the Europe's premier competition is sublime. The UCL anthem is a melody which leaves every football fan shuddering with joy. Such is the grandeur of the tournament.
Over the years, the Champions League has countless moments of magic embedded in its antiquity. Teams leave absolutely no stone un-turned to conquer the biggest prize. There have been some sensational players who had the privilege of being a part of this competition.
With the knockout stages around the corner, we dwell into the history of the competition and take a look at the five heaviest star studded Starting XIs fielded in the finals of the Champions League.
# 5. Manchester United - 2008 (vs Chelsea)
Manchester United played Chelsea in the 2008 competition final in Moscow. The United line-up included Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo as the front three. Having already lifted the Premier League title, United went into the final brimming with confidence.
The defensive pairing of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand appeared to be unbreakable after beating Barcelona in the semis. Owen Hargreaves, Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick formed an all English midfield with Edwin Van Der Sar guarding the nets.
Ferguson's men drew first blood when Ronaldo thumped a header past Petr Cech. Frank Lampard equalised for the Blues at the cusp of half-time. The match went into the extra time with the scoreline at 1-1.
The deadlock was not broken and the teams headed for the penalty shootouts. For those who followed the match would know what a nerve cracking shootout it was. To United's troubles, Ronaldo's penalty was saved by Cech. The scoreline read in favour of Chelsea as John Terry came up to take the decisive kick. As Terry was about to shoot, he slipped on the wet turf and the ball hit the post, on the way out.
Ferguson's men would've never left such a piece of fortune unexploited. United goalkeeper, Van Der Sar pulled out a brilliant mind-game to deny Anelka in sudden death and lift the trophy.
# 4. FC Barcelona - 2011 (vs Manchester United)
This team absolutely needs no introduction. Pep's Barca, was simply unstoppable. In 2011, they played United in a memorable final at Wembley.
Barcelona started with a back four of Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano and Eric Abidal. The midfield consisted of Andreas Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Xavi lead by a front three of Lionel Messi, David Villa and Pedro. You've the eternity to choose the best thing about the team.
What conjuring was to a faint hearted audience, Barcelona was to defenders that year. The team was up for a treble that night. Barca had the opening goal in 27th minute which was cancelled by Rooney seven minutes later.
The match is remembered for the sensational strike from Messi which gave Barca the lead in the second half. Manchester United were putting numbers at the top in search for an equaliser and were often left exposed
Villa wrapped the show with the third leaving no chance for a "Ferguson comeback".
Barcelona won the final 3-1 and completed the historic treble. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson acknowledged that the Barcelona side was the best team he had ever faced.
# 3. FC Barcelona - 2015 (vs Juventus)
Yet another Barcelona team features on the list. The Blaugrana were up against Italian Champions Juventus. This was Barcelona's first final after the last victory in 2011. Both the teams were on course for a treble. The build was all about "The Unstoppable Force vs The Unbreakable Wall."
Juventus had the best defence in Europe and if there was any team capable enough of getting past that defence, it was Barca. They had the star trio up front in the form of "MSN- Messi, Suarez and Neymar". In the midfield, they had Ivan Rakitic, Busquets and Iniesta. Marc Ter Stegen stood in the net behind Alves, Pique, Mascherano and Jordi Alba.
At half time, Barca led 1-0, courtsey of a Rakitic goal. Alvaro Morata equalised for Juve in the 67th minute. Luis Suarez gave his team the lead after a strike from Messi was saved by Buffon resulting in an easy rebound for Suarez.
Neymar wrapped up the show on a counter-attack resulting in a 3-1 victory for the Catalans as they completed yet another treble.
# 2. Real Madrid - 2016 (vs Atletico Madrid)
If you are still drooling over that super-trio of BBC (Bale, Benzema and Cristiano), then you're probably doing injustice with that midfield of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro. When you are done, you can turn your attention to that back four of Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Dani Carvajal. Keylor Navas was the man between the sticks.
Real Madrid could not have been any stronger. Their pace on the counter-attack had left the opposition seeing spots let alone the ball. They were up against Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid side who boasted the best defence in Europe.
Real were put into the driving seat by Sergio Ramos in the first half. At the cusp of half-time Atletico won a penalty which Griezmann failed to convert. In the 79th minute, Yannick Carrasco equalised for his team.
The game went into the extra time but the scoreboard didn't change. It was all to be decided from the spot. The shootout went head-to-head till Juanfran missed the fourth penalty. Real Madrid had a shot in hand, which was duly converted by their star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Real went onto lift their 11th European title. Later next year, they defeated Juventus in the final with almost the same set of players and became the first team to defend the UEFA Champions League crown.
# 1. AC Milan - 2005 (vs Liverpool)
Placing this team as No.1, was the easiest choice all day. However, AC Milan is the only team which appears on the list having lost the final. One does not need to argue the idea behind it.
You would look at this side and think, "How will any attack get that past that defence of Cafu, Stam and Nesta? Oh! Maldini too?" Assuming that you've the answer, how would that lead be protected against the likes of Kaka, Crespo and Shevcheko? Well, Liverpool did it all in the 2005 final in Istanbul.
AC Milan started with the aforesaid back-line and formed a midfield diamond of Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Clarence Seedorf and Kaka. At the top were, Hernan Crespo and Andriy Shevchenko. The Italian side were tipped to be the favorites. AC Milan started with intent and scored in the opening minute. Crespo doubled and tripled Milan's lead with five minutes before half time whistle.
While the Liverpool fans felt the heartbreak, little did anyone know what they were about to witness. Liverpool smashed Milan's lead 14 minutes into the second half. The match was taken to the added time and then penalties.
Smicer netted the fourth Liverpool penalty and Milan had to score the next to stay in the match. To everyone's shock, Shevchenko failed to convert the penalty and Liverpool went onto lift their fifth European title, in what is said to be "The Greatest Match of All Time."
