Biggest knock-out comebacks in Champions League history

Bayern Munich will have to overturn a heavy first leg defeat to progress in Europe, but would not be the first team to stage a dramatic comeback.

Manchester City took a commanding lead in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich, securing a 3-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola’s side were comfortably in control against a Bayern Munich team that had had only three previous games under the guidance of new coach Thomas Tuchel. The Bavarians now face an uphill battle to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League, but it would not be the first time that the competition has brought great drama in recent years.

We take a look at the biggest turnarounds in Champions League knock-out history…

Deportivo la Coruna vs AC Milan, 2003/04

First leg: Milan 4-1 Deportivo

Second leg: Deportivo 3-0 Milan

Reigning European champions AC Milan possessed an extraordinarily talented squad in the early 2000s and Carlo Ancelotti’s men were tipped to retain their crown in 2003/04. They fought back from an early setback in the first leg to win 4-1 at San Siro, but suffered an astonishing 4-0 defeat in the second leg to be knocked out by a thrilling Depor side.

Roma vs Barcelona, 2017/18

First leg: Barcelona 4-1 Roma

Second leg: Roma 3-0 Barcelona

The Spanish giants forged a comfortable 4-1 lead from the first leg at Camp Nou, but were humiliated by a comeback for the ages in the Eternal City. With less than ten minutes to go in Rome, Kostas Manolas leaped highest to convert a corner kick and send his side through to the semi-finals with a stunning 3-0 win.

Liverpool vs Barcelona, 2018/19

First leg: Barcelona 3-0 Liverpool

Second leg: Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona

One year later there was a similar story for Barcelona, but at the semi-final stage this time around. After a Lionel Messi-inspired 3-0 win on home turf in the first leg, Barcelona would have been confident of putting away a weakened Liverpool side in the second leg. But Anfield played host to one of those magic European nights and braces from Divock Origi and Gini Wijnaldum secured a spot in the Champions League final.

Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain, 2016/17

First leg: PSG 4-0 Barcelona

Second leg: Barcelona 6-1 PSG

The Catalan club may have suffered a three-goal second leg comeback on two occasions, but they do boast the only four-goal turnaround in Champions League history. Barcelona suffered a chastening 4-0 defeat against PSG in the last-16 first leg in 2017, managing just one shot on target.

They needed a huge swing in the second leg and Edison Cavani’s away goal at Camp Nou appeared to have put the game beyond Barça. But three late goals – two goals and an assist for Neymar – turned the game on its head and made Barcelona the only side to have overcome a four-goal loss in the first leg to progress in the Champions League.