The UEFA Champions League is where the best come together and battle it out, in a fierce yet electrifying rivalry, and over the years it has given us just a handful of epic moments. Above all the UEFA Champions League 1984/85 season will be long remembered by football enthusiasts for its massively contested knockout matches leading to a drama finale. Today on JustSports24, we chat with the knockout stage of the competition to review some of the Best Close Games in This Timeless Season.
Tournament Format
At that time, the UEFA Champions League 1984/85 (the European Cup) was in place with knockout rounds for all 32 teams. Following the first stage, direct elimination was used with four knockout rounds: a second round, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final. The format added to the drama, with teams playing against each other over two legs, through which aggregate scores dictated who moved ahead.
Knockout Stage Breakdown
First Round
Fatal first rounds are perhaps the hallmark of the UEFA Champions League 1984/85. season in the European Cup and we have already met with an epic game in Frankfurt last night as witnessed third Fenerbahce progress on penalties after a tremendous 4-1 victory by Eintracht. Juventus, Liverpool, and Real Madrid are among the notable teams coming into the tournament with high expectations, and their performances throughout have helped script an exciting knockout phase.
Juventus vs. FC Porto
In a closely fought tie, Juventus met FC Porto In Porto, the first leg was won by Juventus with a 1-0 Liverpool, immediately deciding the ‘sour duel’ (advantage signed by Paolo Rossi). Juventus showed their superiority in the return leg in Turin, running out 2-0 victors with goals from Michel Platini and Marco Tardelli. That 3-0 aggregate scoreline meant Juventus advanced comfortably to the quarter-finals.
Liverpool vs. Bayer Uerdingen
In the first round, Liverpool, the English powerhouse played Bayer Uerdingen. Domestically, Liverpool won the first leg 2-1 with goals from Ian Rush and Paul Walsh at Anfield. Or so the tale used to go. Yet the second leg in Germany was a gripping event, concluding 1-1 in sensational style. That score made the aggregate score 3-2, sending Liverpool through.
Quarter-Finals, UEFA Champions League 1984/85
As the tournament rumbled on, it saw most of its iconic matches in the last stages.
Juventus vs. Real Madrid
In the UEFA Champions League 1984/85 Final, Juventus faced one of the true giants of Europe — Real Madrid. Juventus achieved a surprise 2-0 away win in the first leg in Turin through goals by Platini and Rossi. The second leg at Santiago Bernabeu was a close one, with Juventus securing an impressive 1-1 draw. It was a 3-1 aggregate triumph for the Italian giants and they reached the semi-finals with that scoreline.
Liverpool VS Borussia Monchengladbach
Liverpool played against Borussia Mönchengladbach in what was an absolute classic match between two strong teams of the 70s, Anfield opened the second leg with a fantastic 1-1 draw bottom line, Dalglish Liverpool team forward burst Vogts Berti. Liverpool also won the second leg in Germany, 2-0 with goals from Rush and Whelan. Liverpool 3-1 on the night and Liverpool through.
Semi-Finals
The top 4 in the semi-finals squared up against each other, Juventus taking on Liverpool for a place in the final.
Juventus vs. Bayern Munich, UEFA Champions League 1984/85
In the semi-finals, a similarly strong opponent: Bayern Munich for Juventus. The first leg in Munich finished a 2-2 draw, with strikes from Platini and Tardelli for Juventus. Juventus upset the run of play, winning the return leg in Turin 3-0, thanks to a brace from Platini. The final whistle then confirmed a 5-2 aggregate score which suggests over the two legs Juventus are again dabbling with not just making up numbers in the semi-final, but with being favourites.
Liverpool v Dinamo Bucharest
The semi-final with Dinamo Bucharest took place more interesting with Liverpool. Liverpool had again been stunningly beaten at home in the first leg, conceding an early goal before coming up short despite dominating for 90 minutes and failing to score as lightly-experience Austrian side Austrians Wacker Innsbruck and Karpaty Lviv from the Soviet Union also defeated them in front of a shocked Scouse Kop. Liverpool, however, recovered at Anfield with a 2-0 victory from goals by Rush and Whelan as they beat the Spaniards in the return leg to march on with 2-1 on aggregate setting up an epic showdown against Juventus.
The Final: Juventus vs Liverpool
One of the lowest points in football history is the final, which took place on 29 May 1985 at Heysel Stadium in Brussels, Belgium. But the day is best remembered for the tragic events at the Heysel Stadium when 39 fans died ahead of Juventus’ European Cup final against Liverpool. Despite this, the game went ahead with Juventus winning 1-0. A penalty from Michel Platini in the 57th minute put the seal on a win and saw Juventuheir’s first European Cup title.
Legacy of the UEFA Champions League 1984/85
The 1984/85 UEFA Champions League season is one that will never be forgotten in the annals of European football. The final itself was a catalyst for change in how stadiums were managed and how fans were handled. UEFA established more stringent rules to protect fans in order to make football stadiums a safer place throughout the European continent.
The success of Juventus also heralded an era of Italian dominance throughout European football, leading to further victories for Serie A clubs throughout the following years. The 1984/85 season’s legacy is an exhilarating, bone-chilling, but timely reminder of what the sport brings.
Conclusion
UEFA Champions League 1984/85 knockouts were the epitome of everything that sports represents. The tournament was started from the early rounds and wired to the climatic last, the European football spirit encapsulated in a single competition. JustSports24 is dedicated to honoring the robust, lavish past of sports and the UEFA Champions League 1984/85 season is a distinct episode in the history book of the UEFA Champions League.
In its stunning year of glory, this season — only a second so far to run harshly amiss—raids and ravages everywhere in football from the sensational to the catastrophic like nothing other than a reminder that it well deserves its title as the beautiful game, one surprised by any corner with color or cruelty. Keep an eye on this space for more football history insights and tales of the beautiful game, only on: Football Tribe
