Can Manchester City Achieve the Unthinkable?
Can Manchester City produce one of the most famous comebacks in UEFA Champions League history? This is the burning question as Pep Guardiola’s side travels to the Bernabeu to face reigning champions Real Madrid in the second leg of their play-off tie on Wednesday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+. The challenge is daunting, but history has shown that comebacks are not impossible, especially in the world of European football. With the help of Opta, we explore how City can draw inspiration from Premier League clubs that have defied the odds in the Champions League.
United’s Miracle at Paris
The 2018/19 Champions League season is etched in football folklore, and one of its most memorable moments was Manchester United’s stunning comeback against Paris Saint-Germain. Under interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United was on a high, but a 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford dealt a significant blow. Leading the charge for PSG was former Red Devil Angel Di Maria, who provided two assists. Against all odds, United stormed back in Paris. Romelu Lukaku’s early goal and a second from the Belgian gave them hope, and Marcus Rashford’s 94th-minute penalty sealed an unforgettable victory. This moment stands as a testament to the unpredictable nature of football and the belief that can arise from within a team.
Tottenham’s Heroic Semi-Final Victory
Another Premier League club that etched its name in Champions League history with a remarkable comeback is Tottenham Hotspur. In the 2018/19 semi-finals, Spurs faced a daunting task against a confident Ajax team, trailing 3-0 on aggregate after the first leg. The second leg at the Johan Cruyff Arena seemed like a formality, but Lucas Moura had other plans. The Brazilian forward scored a hat-trick, with the decisive goal coming in the 96th minute, sending Spurs to their first-ever Champions League final. This comeback showcased the resilience and determination that can drive a team to achieve the seemingly impossible.
Other Legendary Comebacks
While Manchester United and Tottenham have the most recent and memorable comebacks, other clubs have also made their mark. Ajax stands out with two notable comebacks, including a 3-0 victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in 2019, which saw them overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) also joined the ranks of champions last season, coming from behind to beat Barcelona 2-1 in the second leg, thanks to a dramatic double from Kylian Mbappé and a late goal from Vitinha. These moments highlight the dramatic and unpredictable nature of the Champions League, where anything can happen on any given night.
Real Madrid’s Unbeatable Home Record
Real Madrid’s pedigree in European football is unparalleled, and their record in second-leg matches at the Bernabeu is particularly daunting. After their 1-1 draw at the Etihad, the Spanish giants have now won the first leg of a European knockout stage tie away from home on 40 occasions, progressing to the next round on 37 of those instances. Only Ajax and Odense Boldklub have managed to stop them. While teams like AS Roma, Schalke, Juventus, and Chelsea have managed to win at the Bernabeu in the second leg, none have done so to progress on aggregate. Guardiola will need to find a way to not only win but also overturn the deficit, a task that has proven nearly impossible.
Guardiola’s Record and the Task Ahead
Pep Guardiola’s record when trailing in the first leg does not bode well for Manchester City. Guardiola’s teams have trailed nine times in the first leg in the Champions League, and they have only managed to overturn the deficit on two occasions. The first was with Barcelona in 2010/11, where a 2-1 loss at Arsenal was reversed with a 4-1 win at the Camp Nou. The second came with Bayern Munich in 2014/15, where a 3-1 loss at Porto was turned around with a 6-1 victory. However, Guardiola has been eliminated on four consecutive occasions when his team has trailed in the first leg. The stakes are high, and the challenge is immense, but if any team can produce a comeback, it might just be Manchester City.
How to Watch the Epic Clash
For fans looking to witness this potential historic clash, TNT Sports is the place to be. Available across all major TV platforms, TNT Sports offers a comprehensive lineup of up to four TV channels and six digital or red-button channels. Real Madrid host Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, February 19. Kick-off is at 20:00 UK time on TNT Sports 1, with live coverage beginning at 19:00. You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media. To find local establishments showing the match, use the Pub Finder tool. This is a night that could define careers and etch itself into the annals of football history.
