AS Roma produced one of the greatest comebacks in UEFA Champions League history by blowing away an in-form Barcelona who are undefeated in the Spanish La Liga 2017-18. The Catalonian side came into the second leg in Rome with a comprehensive 4-1 lead and the tie looked done and dusted but Lionel Messi and his side never got going and the constant pressure from the home side led to their undoing. Roma defeated Barcelona 3-0 in the second leg and won the tie (4-4 aggregate) based on a number of away goals. The Italian football club now joins the likes of Manchester United, AC Milan,

Edin Dzeko’s away goal in Nou Camp made sure Roma had a thin ray of hope in the return leg and got his side going with a fine finish from a long ball. The second half witnessed the complete change in fortunes for two players who had scored own goals in Spain with both skipper Daniele De Rossi and Kostas Manolas on the score sheet for the right team this time around and ensuring wild scenes at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Well for the Barcelona side, it is another year that goes without a chance to reclaim the European glory.

The beauty of Champions League matches is that nothing can be taken for granted and it always has a surprise or two in offering every season. We look at some of the memorable revival of fortunes in Europe’s premier competition.

Manchester United vs Bayern Munich, 1999 UEFA Champions League Final: Score 2-1

Sir Alex Ferguson saw his Manchester United side claim the treble in the most dramatic fashion with two stoppage-time goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer cancelling the first-half freekick of Mario Basler for Bayern Munich. Loss of Paul Scholes and Roy Keane had given the English club a severe blow and it looked the Bavarian side were on the way to a famous trophy. But from two David Beckham corners, Manchester United snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

Barcelona vs PSG, 2017 UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Score 6-1

When PSG blanked Barcelona 4-0 in Paris, they felt the job was done only to see Barcelona become the first club in the history of Champions League to come back from four goals deficit to claim a tie. PSG even had an away goal to its name and its capitulation was completed when fullback Sergi Roberto scored the most important goal of his career in the dying moments. Making a late run in the box, he met a Neymar cross into the nets the world witnessed one of the greatest games of football ever played.

Liverpool vs AC Milan, 2005 UEFA Champions League Final: Score 3-3 AET (Liverpool won 2-3 on penalties)

Steven Gerrard produced probably his greatest display in a Liverpool shirt in the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul in a game best described by the Merseyside club’s fan as the ‘Magic of Istanbul.’ Liverpool were under the pump early on with their opponent’s AC Milan with its galaxy of stars breaking clear with a 3-0 lead in halftime thanks to goals from Paolo Maldini and a brace from Hernan Crespo. But Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez got his troops riling to produce a masterclass in the second half as three goals in six magical minutes that saw Liverpool tie the game at 3-3 with Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Vladimir Smicer on the score sheet. Andriy Shevchenko was the guilty party from the spot to hand Liverpool one of its greatest footballing moment.

Deportivo La Coruna vs AC Milan, 2004 UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final: Score 4-0

Playing against the defending champions and with a very average kind of squad, no one would have counted Deportivo La Coruna to reach the semi-finals and when the first leg resulted in a 4-1 drubbing in San Siro, the belief only grew stronger. But the second leg in Spain saw a completely rejuvenated home side who quickly cancelled the Italian sides lead with fine goals from Walter Pandiani, Juan Carlos and Albert Luque. With the Spanish side now in the driver’s seat and qualification certain via the away goals rule, Milan turned up its attack but left huge spaces at the back which eventually led to its undoing. Substitute Fran scored his side’s final goal and left a shocked Milan side gasping for breath.

Chelsea vs Napoli, 2012 UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Score 4-1

The 2012 European Champions Chelsea had a fairytale run in the year’s Champions League fixtures with each match almost knocking Chelsea out of the cup, but it somehow pulled through. The match against Napoli had probably given the world signs of what was to come. Trailing 3-1 in the first leg, Didier Drogba, Jhon Terry and Frank Lampard had ensured extra time in London after Napoli did find the back of the net. Up stepped Branislav Ivanovic to be the hero for Chelsea in the extra time and carry his team to a win which looked impossible at one point in time.

These were our picks from the greatest comebacks in the Champions League matches. It is these moments that have made sure this European Competition is one of the most widely anticipated tournaments in world football year after year. It is the place where footballers make their name in the sporting folklore of their club.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 11, 2018 03:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).