The four nights that give Spanish giants hope of a ‘Remontada’

by oqtey
Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe

Real Madrid require a monumental comeback tomorrow night if they are to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit against Arsenal.

A team coming back from three goals down in the Champions League has only happened four times before, which proves how difficult a task it is, but also shows it can be done.

Here, we take a look at the previous occasions, and you will see Madrid’s arch rivals Barcelona feature heavily.

 

Deportivo La Coruna 4-0 AC Milan (Depor won 5-4 on aggregate) – 2004

There seemed little danger when Milan’s star-studded team strolled to a 4-1 win at San Siro in the first leg of their quarter-final.

But they bargained without an astonishing comeback from a side that had won La Liga for the only time in their history four years earlier.

Milan, the then European champions, were three down at the break – effectively wiping out their advantage – after goals from Walter Pandiani, Juan Carlos Valeron and Albert Luque. 

Substitute Fran grabbed the all-important fourth with 15 minutes to go to dump out a team that included the likes of Cafu, Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, Kaka and Andriy Shevchenko.

 

 

Barcelona 6-1 Paris Saint-Germain (Barca won 6-5 on aggregate) – 2017

The original ‘Remontada’ was a jaw-dropping comeback that saw Barcelona edge out PSG in a round-of-16 tie.

Luis Enrique’s side were totally swamped in the first game at the Parc des Princes as the home side cruised to a 4-0 win.

And there appeared little danger for the Parisiens when Edinson Cavani scored at Camp Nou to put PSG 5-3 ahead on aggregate with 28 minutes to go after Luis Suárez, a Layvin Kurzawa own goal and a Lionel Messi penalty had given Barca renewed hope.

But the Catalans were not done. 

Neymar converted a free-kick after 88 minutes and then, controversially, scored again from the penalty spot in the 91st minute after Suarez went down in the box. There was still time for Sergio Roberto to prod the ball home four minutes later to spark wild scenes.

 

 

Roma 3-0 Barcelona (Roma won 4-3 on aggregate) – 2018

Barcelona were on the receiving end 12 months later as Messi, Suarez and Co were unable to prevent the Serie A side from coming back from a 3-1 defeat at Camp Nou.

Edin Dzeko struck early to give the Stadia Olimpico crowd hope and the noise rose when Daniele De Rossi converted a second-half penalty.

The stadium erupted when Greece defender Kostas Manolas headed home Roma’s third with eight minutes remaining.

 

 

Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona (Liverpool won 4-3 on aggregate) – 2019

Barca were undone again in 2019 on a thrilling night at Anfield.

Messi’s two goals, including a stunning free-kick, and a goal from former Red Suarez had put Barca in control in this semi-final clash. But Barcelona did not realise what was about to hit them on Merseyside.

Divock Origi gave Liverpool early hope but the belief gained momentum when Georginio Wijnaldum scored twice inside 122 seconds in the second half.

Barca were fearing a repeat of their Roma capitulation and it came to pass when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s quick corner enabled Origi to sweep the ball past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

 

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