In the UEFA Champions League, the odds are often stacked against the underdogs. However, there have been many times when these underdogs defied the odds and lifted the trophy. Here are some of the biggest upsets in Champions League history:
Steaua București (1985-86)
Steaua București were the first Romanian team to win the European Cup, and they did it dramatically. In the final, they defeated Barcelona 2-0, with both goals scored by Marius Lăcătuș. Steaua’s victory was a huge upset, as Barcelona were the defending champions and one of the tournament’s favourites.
Steaua București were a relatively small club at the time, and they were not even the favourites to win their group. However, they were led by a strong defence and a clinical attack, and they managed to overcome some of the biggest clubs in Europe on their way to victory. Their triumph is still remembered as one of the greatest upsets in Champions League history.
Marseille (1992-93)
Marseille were the underdogs when they won the Champions League in 1992-93. They were not even the favourites to win their group, but they went on to defeat some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Milan, Barcelona, and AC Milan. Marseille’s success was built on a solid defence and a clinical attack led by Eric Cantona and Jean-Pierre Papin. They are one of the most successful clubs in French football history, and their victory in the Champions League is one of the most memorable in the competition’s history.
Marseille’s victory was even more remarkable given that they were embroiled in a match-fixing scandal at the time. However, the club was cleared of wrongdoing, and their victory could stand. Marseille’s triumph remains one of the most controversial in Champions League history but also one of the most impressive.
Chelsea (2011-12)
Chelsea were the underdogs when they won the Champions League in 2011-12. They were not even the favourites to win their group, but they went on to defeat some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Napoli, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich. Chelsea’s success was built on a strong defence and a clinical attack by Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard. They are one of the most successful clubs in English football history, and their victory in the Champions League is one of the most unexpected in the competition’s history.
Chelsea’s victory was awe-inspiring, given that they were not expected to do well in the competition. They had been knocked out in the group stage in the previous two seasons and were not even the favourites to win their group in 2011-12. However, they overcame all the odds and lifted the trophy. Chelsea’s victory is a testament to the team’s spirit and determination.
APOEL (2011-12)
APOEL were the biggest underdogs in Champions League history when they reached the quarterfinals in 2011-12. They were the first Cypriot club to reach the competition’s knockout stages, and they did it by defeating some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Lyon and Real Madrid. APOEL’s success was built on a solid defence and a disciplined approach to the game. They are one of the most successful clubs in Cypriot football history, and their run to the quarterfinals of the Champions League is one of the most remarkable in the competition’s history.
APOEL’s victory was even more remarkable because they were the lowest-ranked team in the competition. They were ranked 111th in the UEFA Coefficient rankings and were not even expected to qualify for the group stage. However, they overcame all the odds and reached the quarterfinals. APOEL’s victory is a testament to the team’s spirit and determination.
These are just a few of the biggest upsets in Champions League history. See great moments like these live in person at the home of football tickets with Zenseats.
