So many amazing goals…
Europe’s greatest club tournament resumes this week as 31 teams bid to take the Champions League trophy away from Real Madrid.
The Champions League has revolutionised the club game in Europe and also provided us with so many fantastic memories down the years. To mark its return, we’ve decided to take a look at some of our favourite goals since the tournament, in its current form, began in the 1992-’93 season.
92-93 – Winners: Marseille
The ’92 winners had a cracking team featuring Barthez, Deschamps, Desailly and Boksic but they were subsequently banned from defending their trophy in the next campaign due to a domestic bribery scandal.
Our favourite goal of the campaign was this volley from Jean-Pierre Papin, the exceptionally gifted striker who was European Cup top scorer in three consecutive campaigns and also the 1991 Ballon D’or winner.
This volley for AC Milan vs FC Porto is astonishing because he has so much time to wait until the ball drops on his boot. What follows is a supreme display of technique, balance and power.
Clip via – rahul narvekar
93-94 – Winners: AC Milan
The amazing thing about AC Milan’s 4-0 victory over Barcelona in the 1994 Champions League final is that Barca were massive favourites going into the game, while Milan were ravaged with injuries and suspensions. The form book, much like Barcelona, was torn to pieces.
This lob from the supremely talented Dejan Savicevic is an all-time classic Champions League goal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwIlWjPAGMM
Clip via – 60year 60goal
94-95 – Winners: Ajax
It’s easy to forget that before PSG became the nouveau-riche club they are today, the Parisiens did have a bit of history in the Champions League.
This stepover goal from 1995 World Player of the Year George Weah against Bayern Munich is something else. Skill, close control and a rocket into the top corner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7OyefXtdi4
Clip via – Legendary Goals
95-96 – Winners: Juventus
There are certain iconic players that instantly spring to mind when you think of the Champions League. Giggs, Raul, Seedorf, Maldini and, of course, Alessandro Del Piero. This strike against Steaua Bucharest in the 1995-’96 campaign was quite something and he actually scored an eerily similar but equally superb goal against Borussia Dortmund in the same campaign. Magician.
Clip via – Krathos22
96-97 – Winners: Borussia Dortmund
Imagine this scenario. It’s the Champions League Final. You’re 20 years old and have just been asked to come off the bench against the reigning champions.
The match is delicately balanced at 2-1 as your team tries desperately to cling onto the lead which could bring them their first ever Champions League title. Nervous?
You’re not Lars Ricken then. He did this within 16 seconds of coming off the bench.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxzwl5ZPYwY
Clip via – BVB09Hero
97-98 – Winners: Real Madrid
We seriously doubt that anyone will ever forget Olympiakos’ first ever Champions League goal. Stelios Giannakopoulos certainly wont. This is simply astonishing. Yes, he also ended up at Bolton.
Clip via – ThrylosG7
98-99 – Winners: Manchester United
That famous night in the Nou Camp against Bayern Munich will live long in the memories of Manchester United fans but this goal against Barcelona in the same stadium in the group stages is our favourite of that famous campaign.
Thanks to an almost telepathic understanding between Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole, the Barcelona central defence were made to look like statues here.
Clip via – Olly Price
99-00 – Winners: Real Madrid
We’re going to cheat here because it’s nigh on impossible to choose just one goal from this vintage year of Champions League goals.
United lost their crown largely thanks to this superb Fernando Redondo back-heel nutmeg that set up Raul…
Clip via – Canal de jmrumbo1987
Valencia reached the final this year thanks to the goals of their lethal marksman Claudio Lopez. Here he is making one of the hardest skills in football look easy against PSV…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZM6bn_qcn8
Clip via – Legendary Goals
And this overhead kick from Fiorentina’s Mauro Bressan against Barcelona. Sweet mother of God.
Clip via – Fun Station
00-01 – Winners: Bayern Munich
Gheorge Hagi was one of the most gifted footballers of his generation and here he is using that magic left foot to devastating effect for Galatasaray against Monaco.
Memories of USA ’94 come flooding back here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4lA497eGJ8
Clip via – Legendary Goals
01-02: Winners Real Madrid
Again we have to cheat a little. Zinedine Zidane. Hampden Park. Champions League Final. Ball dropping. You know what happens next.
Clip via – Nasim Khan
Seldom has a goalscorer been as overshadowed by the creator of a goal than Freddie Ljunberg was by Dennis Bergkamp in this goal against Juventus. Superb.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_Ag3tXiP70
Clip via – Massimo Salerno
