A recent history of UCL Final revenge and rematches ⚔️ | OneFootball

The Champions League final is upon us. Liverpool take on Real Madrid in Paris on Saturday and the talk of “revenge” cannot be escaped.

The sides met in the 2018 final and Mohamed Salah lasted just 31 minutes before a challenge from Sergio Ramos ended his night prematurely. Real Madrid went on to win and a lot of the actors from that night four years ago will be in action again tonight.

But how have recent quests for UCL final revenge actually played out? What happens when sides get a rematch a few years after the ultimate disappointment?

2005/2007 — Liverpool v Milan

There are two sides to every story. Liverpool’s comeback in Istanbul, 3-0 down at half-time before turning things around to eventually win on penalties, is considered one of the great European victories. But for Milan it was a tragedy.

Widely considered the best team in Europe at the time, they returned to the grandest stage to face the same opponents two years on. A brace from Filippo Inzaghi saw them run out winners in Athens.

“Football always offers [a chance of redemption], and that happened two years later,” Carlo Ancelotti — who faces the Reds for a third time in a Champions League final — recently told Uefa.

Revenge? Best served in Greece.

2009/2011 — Barcelona v Manchester United

Pep Guardiola’s first season saw Barcelona beat Manchester United in the Champions League final in unusual fashion; the Premier League outfit dominated possession.

So when United had a shot at a rematch two years on, it wasn’t ideal that they were now facing Pep’s Barça in their final form.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s verdict on the final whistle was unequivocal: “In my time as a manager, I would say they’re the best team we’ve faced. Everyone acknowledges that and I accept that. It’s not easy when you’ve been well beaten like that to think another way. No one has given us a hiding like that.”

Revenge? Not even close.

2014/2016 — Real Madrid v Atlético Madrid

It was heartbreak for Atleti against their city rivals, as a last-minute goal forced extra-time and Real took over in the additional half an hour.

Two years on and a similar story repeated itself. An early goal, this time for Madrid, a fairly late equaliser, this time for Atleti, and extra-time.

This one went all the way to penalties, though, and los Blancos were victorious again.

Revenge? Los Blancos say no.