The Champions League has long been a stage for the miraculous.
And as we approach tonight’s decisive second-leg fixtures, two of England’s heavyweights, Manchester City and Chelsea, find themselves staring into the abyss.
Both clubs must overturn daunting three-goal deficits to keep their European dreams alive.
City return to the Etihad Stadium tonight trailing Real Madrid 3-0 after a Federico Valverde hat-trick at the Bernabeu left Pep Guardiola’s side stunned.
Meanwhile, at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea face an even steeper climb, needing to recover from a 5-2 drubbing by holders Paris Saint-Germain.
Historically, only four teams in the history of the competition have ever progressed after losing a first leg by three or more goals.
If they are to succeed, they must draw inspiration from the legendary “Remontadas” that have defined the modern era of European football.
GB News now takes a look at examples of when the impossible became possible once more.
Barcelona 6-1 PSG (2017)
Sergi Roberto scored at the death as Barcelona hammered PSG 6-1 in 2017
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The most famous comeback in the history of the sport remains the benchmark for the miraculous.
After being dismantled 4-0 in Paris by PSG, Barcelona were written off by every pundit in Europe. No team had ever overturned a four-goal deficit.
The return leg at the Camp Nou was a fever dream of late drama.
Leading 3-1 in the 88th minute, Barcelona still needed three goals to progress due to the away goals rule then in effect.
In a chaotic seven-minute blitz, Neymar scored a free-kick and a penalty before Sergi Roberto’s 95th-minute volley sent the stadium into a state of ecstasy.
Lionel Messi was splashed over the back pages the next day but Neymar, and Roberto, were the real heroes of the night.
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona (2019)
Liverpool rocked Barcelona with a 4-0 win at Anfield in 2019
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If Barcelona’s 2017 heist was about flair, Liverpool’s 2019 dismantling of the Catalans was about pure, unadulterated intensity.
Trailing 3-0 from the first leg and missing star forwards Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, Jurgen Klopp’s “mentality monsters” produced a performance for the ages.
Divock Origi and Georginio Wijnaldum both scored twice, the latter famously coming off the bench to score two goals in 122 seconds.
The image of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ‘corner taken quickly’ remains the defining symbol of what happens when a team loses its composure under the lights of a hostile stadium, a lesson City will hope to apply to Real Madrid tonight.
Roma 3-0 Barcelona (2018)
Just a year before Liverpool’s feat, Roma provided the blueprint for overturning a three-goal margin.
Losing 4-1 at the Camp Nou, the Italians returned to the Stadio Olimpico needing a 3-0 win to progress on away goals.
With a tactical masterclass that neutralised Messi, Roma chipped away at the lead until Kostas Manolas headed home in the 82nd minute.
Peter Drury’s iconic commentary – ‘The Greek God in Rome!’ – immortalised a night that proved even the most disciplined European giants can crumble when the pressure is on.
Monaco 3-1 Real Madrid (2004)
Fernando Morientes helped Monaco knock Real Madrid out of the Champions League in 2004
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Before the era of state-funded super-clubs, Monaco provided perhaps the most poignant warning to Real Madrid.
Trailing 4-2 after a first-leg defeat at the Bernabeu, Monaco’s task seemed impossible when Raul extended Madrid’s lead in the return leg.
However, Monaco possessed Fernando Morientes, who was on loan from Madrid.
Morientes scored a towering header to ignite the comeback, but it was Ludovic Giuly’s brace, including a sensational instinctive backheel, that secured a 3-1 win.
Monaco progressed on away goals (5-5 aggregate), though would go on to lose to Jose Mourinho’s Porto in the final.
Deportivo La Coruna 4-0 AC Milan (2004)
If Chelsea are looking for a reason to believe they can overturn a three-goal deficit at home against a European giant, they need only look at the Riazor in 2004.
AC Milan arrived in Spain as the defending champions, boasting a 4-1 lead and a legendary backline featuring Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta, and Cafu.
In a whirlwind first half, however, Deportivo dismantled the world’s best defence.
Walter Pandiani, Juan Carlos Valeron, and Albert Luque scored before the break to level the tie on aggregate.
A late deflected strike from Fran then sealed a 4-0 victory (5-4 aggregate).
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham (2019)
Lucas Moura bagged a hat-trick as Tottenham beat Ajax in 2019
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While the other examples rely on home-crowd energy, Tottenham’s 2019 semi-final comeback proved that a deficit can be overturned even in the most hostile away environments.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg and falling 2-0 behind at halftime in Amsterdam (3-0 on aggregate), Spurs were essentially dead and buried.
But then came the twist.
Lucas Moura scored two quick-fire goals to set up a grandstand finish. In the 96th minute, with the very last kick of the game, the Brazilian completed his hat-trick to send Spurs through on away goals.
