The UEFA Champions League finally returned after a long summer break and boy oh boy — the UEFA Champions League 2018/19 campaign did not disappoint. it was one of those special seasons where nothing seemed like could upstage this performance. It was the gathering of European top guns fighting for what still is the most prestigious trophy in Europe Club football. The 2018/19 season was nothing short of entertaining, with comebacks and underdog stories showcasing the best that Champions League football has to offer.
The group stages
The Dramatic and Glorious UEFA Champions League 2018/19 provided excitement and entertainment in equal measure. FC Barcelona was one of the teams that stood out in this period. Barcelona — led by Lionel Messi — won Group B with 14 points after recording four wins and two draws. They opened the season in fine fettle, notably beating Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 at Wembley, and were always against a Champions League campaign.
Meanwhile, second-placed defending champions Liverpool were far from their best on the opening day. Liverpool were drawn in Group C alongside Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli, and Red Star Belgrade but had issues with consistency before losing three of their six matches. That lifeline went to a nerve-wracking 1-0 win over Napoli in their last group game at Anfield, as another Salah goal and an Alisson Becker save were enough to keep them alive.
Man Utd in Paris; Round of 16
A Champions League classic This season, the competition’s standout tie came in the Round of 16 Manchester United 1-3 Paris Saint-Germain (PSG win on aggregate: slandered before it began thanks to Luke Shaw’s own goal in the first leg) Abject from virtually the get-go, Tam McManus revisited Bushidesque personal slurs against Unai Emery and his female interest of choice by declaring that “there are a lot more people who hate Spurs”. United’s task was seemingly impossible due to numerous absentees through injury and suspension ahead of the PSG second leg. What happened instead was a sensational Champions League fightback, again.
Two goals from Romelu Lukaku and a last-gasp Marcus Rashford penalty sent United through into the quarter-finals on away goals, thanks to their 3-1 win in Paris. The jubilant scenes among the United faithful would stick in the memory, as this comeback was now a poster child for a never-say-die attitude of Europe’s elite competition.
Ajax Stun Juventus | Quarterfinal Showdown
UEFA Champions League 2018/19 surprise club has to be Ajax. The young Dutch contingent had made a big splash already, upsetting three-time defending champion Real Madrid in the Round of 16. Their most significant moment, however, came in the quarters as they saw off Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Juventus.
Ajax made another incredible comeback in the second leg at Turin, after going 2-1 down to Juventus during the first leg. Donny van de Beek and captain Matthijs de Ligt scored the goals that ensured a 2-1 victory on the night, and a memorable 3-2 aggregate win as Ajax stormed into the semifinal stages. They played fearless football, relied on the young blood, and won the hearts of millions around the world.
The Semifinals: The Miracle at Anfield
When it comes to the UEFA Champions League 2018/19 semifinals, it is difficult to forget one of the two best comebacks in history. Liverpool v Barcelona was at the top of their list. A wonderful free-kick from Messi was the highlight of a virtuoso display on his part as Barcelona swept to a 3-0 victory in their first leg at Camp Nou. At Anfield, though, Liverpool had other plans.
Liverpool required a miracle by missing Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, two of its star forwards. And bucked to produce just that. Divock Origi and Georginio Wijnaldum each scored twice, while Trent Alexander-Arnold’s quick corner also played a part as the Reds secured a 4-0 triumph. The result put the Reds through to their second successive final, reversing a 3-0 first-leg defeat.
Tottenham’s Comeback vs. Ajax
Back in the other semifinal, Tottenham Hotspur would produce their very own stunning comeback Spurs had lost the first leg of their semi-final 1-0 at home and faced an uphill battle when they traveled to Amsterdam. The second leg did not have too much drama after Ajax took control early on in the match holding a 2-0 lead at halftime and also leading by an aggregate score of 3 – 0.
But in a second-half spree, Tottenham’s Lucas Moura hit three extraordinary goals including an injury-time 96th-minute winner to seal a 3-2 win on the night and a 3-3 aggregate draw. Spurs, though had reached theal on away goals and it broke Ajax’s hearts at just the last moment in which their fans were sent into delirium.
Liverpool sought redemption in the final
The final of the UEFA Champions League 2018/19 was held on June 1 in Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. Liverpool were out to make amends for their loss in the 2018 final against Real Madrid and they had a golden opportunity. And it was the first Champions League final ever for Spurs.
The match was never as dramatic as the semis, but Liverpool took control early and cruised home from there. After just two minutes, Liverpool was awarded a penalty for handball by Sissoko. Salah slotted home the resulting penalty to put Liverpool in front. Liverpool’s defence held firm and they doubled their lead in the 87th minute through Origi as Spurs toiled.
And ensured that Liverpool won their sixth European Cup, making one of the biggest cheeses in Europe even more unignorably massive. For Klopp, finally, a European Cup winner after two losing finals with Liverpool to go along with one final loss and another semi-final exit at his previous clubs; this was personal redemption.
Conclusion
The UEFA Champions League 2018/19 campaign was one of the greatest in football history, proving just why European competitions stand head-and-shoulders above any knight in shining armor from Premier Leagues around the world. This has a place in history as one of the most exciting Champions League campaigns ever, with beautiful comebacks and memorable goals. For the Liverpool fans soaking up another triumph or maybe the neutrals who just love this game, 2018/19 was a reminder of what makes the competition so special.
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