Off The Ball has teamed up with Pepsi Max who are bringing the Champions League Trophy to Ireland! The legendary piece of silverware lands on Irish soil on February 29th and March 1st, which is the first time Pepsi Max has brought it to Ireland!
Over the next few weeks, we'll be looking at the goals, rivalries, controversies and all the rest that makes the Champions League an unmissable part of our football calendar.
Fourth up, we are looking at the best Champions League finals down through the years and it is fair to say we have plenty to choose from.
5. 2013 Champions League final
The 2013 Champions League final felt like the zenith for German football as Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund fans descended on Wembley Stadium. It was the grizzled veteran Jupp Heynckes facing the young upstart Jürgen Klopp. From the opening kick off it was an enthralling match that was played at a relentless pace.
A young Dortmund side flew out of the blocks and but for Manuel Neuer, Bayern could have been blown away early. The Bavarians eventually grew into the game and started to control midfield in the second half.
Robben laid on Mandzuckic for the opener after 60 minutes, before Dortmund equalised with a penalty eight minutes later.
Just as it seemed like the game was heading into extra-time, Ribery played Robben through and he managed to roll the ball past Roman Weidenfeller.
4. 1994 Champions League final
This is regarded as one of the biggest upsets in Champions League finals history as Fabio Capello's depleted Milan side shocked the world by beating Barcelona. The Catalan side had one of the most vaunted attacks in world football with Romario, Stoichkov and Begiristain up front.
Milan were missing some of their key players in forward Marco Van Basten and defender Franco Baresi. It didn't seem to matter though as from the off they swarmed Barcelona. Daniele Massaro scored two goals in the first half before Dejan Savićević scored an early second-half goal to kill off the tie.
After a marauding run from French midfielder Marcel Desailly, he slotted home past keeper Andoni Zubizarreta to compound Barca's misery.
3. 2011 Champions League Final
Although they met in the 2009 Champions League final, Barcelona and Manchester United topped that game when they met again at Wembley in 2011.
Manchester United started the brighter of the two teams as Javier Hernandez nearly put the English champions ahead. It didn't take long for Barca to take control of the game and on 27 minutes Xavi slipped through Pedro with an exquisite ball, and the winger slotted home past Edwin Van der Sar.
It wasn't long until United responded though as Wayne Rooney blasted home the leveller before the break. The second half was completely one-sided as Messi smashed home a strike from outside the box before David Villa curled the ball past Van Der Sar into the top corner.
2. 1999 Champions League final
While the full 90 minutes might not be one of the greatest matches of all time, the last few minutes alone make it one of the most iconic finals of all time. Coming into the game Manchester United were seeking to complete a treble after winning the Premier League on the final day and beating Newcastle United in the FA Cup final.
Bayern meanwhile were looking for a double after winning the Bundesliga in comfortable fashion. Bayern dominated the early encounters and with only six minutes gone, winger Mario Basler curled a free-kick past Peter Schmeichel. United were short of both of their best midfielders in Roy Keane and Paul Scholes who were both suspended for the game.
Munich were comfortable for most of the game but two late substitutes for United transformed the game. Teddy Sheringham first slotted home after Ryan Giggs knocked the ball back into the penalty area from a corner.
Ninety seconds later they had another corner, with Sheringham turning provider by heading the ball down for Solskjaer to tap home.
1.2005 Champions League Final
It was always going to be this really, few games have ever come close to the drama of the 2005 Champions League final. While domestically they had lost out to Juventus in Serie A, AC Milan came into the 2005 Champions League final with a star-studded line-up. The likes of Andriy Shevchenko, Hernán Crespo, Kaká and Andrea Pirlo made them a dangerous outfit for any side.
It didn't take long for Milan to strike as Paolo Maldini conjured up a strikers finish, scoring after just 1 minute. Crespo added a second on 39 minutes as Milan cut threw Liverpool on the counter. After 44 minutes it was 3-0 as Crespo took advantage of a defensive lapse to chip past Jerzy Dudek.
That was surely it, right? Not for Liverpool, as in a spell of six minutes, Liverpool were somehow level after goals from Gerrard, Šmicer and Xabi Alonso. Milan were shell-shocked and despite creating a number of chances, the game ended up going into extra time and penalties.
Milan ended up missing three penalties, with Dudek saving from Shevchenko to complete a truly remarkable turnaround.
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Pepsi Max is a proud partner of the UEFA Champions League. On the 29th February, Off The Ball will be running a skills challenge in association with Pepsi Max as we’ll have the Champions League trophy in Dundrum Shopping Centre with David Meyler and Damien Delaney judging the skills. The two former Irish internationals will also be in the Pavilions Shopping Centre on the 1st March for another skills challenge with the trophy, come down either day for your chance to win a signed football from Lionel Messi as well as other spot prizes! Maximum Taste. No Sugar #ForTheLoveOfIt
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