It’s not even a week since Barcelona scripted one of the best ever comebacks in Champions League history following their momentous 6-1 win over Paris St. Germain at Nou Camp after a dismal 4-0 thrashing by the French outfit a month back. This prestigious event previously witnessed many euphoric resurgences – Liverpool’s rally to upturn a 0-3 first half deficit against mighty A.C. Milan in Champions League final being the most discussed.
However, there is a real buzz about Barcelona’s turnaround surpassing Liverpool’s story of Istanbul among a majority of Barcelona fans as well as arch-rivals of the Merseysiders. But a meticulous analysis of both the games might give us a conclusion.
It takes a lot of grit to upturn a 4-0 deficit, particularly in a case when the Catalan giants conceded one even after constituting a three-goal lead. Edinson Cavani’s strike for the French outfit left Luis Enrique’s men with no option but to score three more goals (without conceding) within last half an hour of football remaining.
And they did. The Spanish giants netted thrice in last seven minutes (two in stoppage time) to knock their opponents down and proceed to the next round of the competition.
But a few factors should be taken into consideration before certifying this historic outing as ‘the best ever comeback in Champions League football’. Barcelona arguably have the deadliest attacking trio of Champions League history in the form of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar Jr. A team with MSN up front is well capable of turning things around in extremely adverse situations. Also, the Ligue 1 champions had a nightmarish display as they not only defended poorly but also missed a set of golden opportunities that could have sealed the game much earlier.
They failed to grab those and as a result were slaughtered. A few decision went in favour of the home side as well, particularly when the referee awarded them two penalties and the second one looked like a dive from Luis Suarez.
Going back to Liverpool’s clash with Milan, the Italians those days, were the best European outfit by miles and Liverpool’s Istanbul heroes Djimi Traore, Djibril Cissé, Milan Baros, Jerzy Dudek, Vladimír Šmicer et al were no match in front of the superstars of world football – Paolo Maldini, Kaka, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Dida, Andriy Shevchenko, Hernán Crespo, Cafu and many more.
Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso were rising stars at that time but the underdogs came back into the game after a spell of six minutes (54′ -60′). The highlights of Istanbul still motivate every football fanatic to have faith in himself even in his darkest dreams- ‘Impossible is Nothing’.
The Reds not only scored thrice in six minutes but also combated every attack of Rossoneri before lifting the silverware for the fifth time following a 2-3 triumph in tie-breaker. Jerzy Dudek’s majestic saves to deny Shevchenko, Jamie Carragher’s spirited display with muscle cramp, Hamann scoring his spot-kick despite a broken foot – moments that will drive one to believe: ‘At the end of the storm there’s a golden sky’.
Liverpool never had a squad like Barcelona, did not have a return leg to make things right, neither were they playing at Anfield on the night.
Manchester United, too, scored twice in injury time during 1999 Champions League final to snatch a 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich. These two fixtures should remain above Barcelona’s historic encounter which can be compared to Liverpool’s resurgence against Olympiakos in 2004 when they scored two late goals to qualify for the knockout stages and eventually lifted the title. Also, Deportivo La Coruna’s 4-0 second leg triumph over AC Milan in 2003/04 quarter-finals after a 4-1 defeat at San Siro.
The Miracle of Istanbul will remain superlative unless Barcelona deliver something similar in a Champions League final featuring as underdogs.
