Ranking best UCL semis ever: Bayern vs. PSG was epic, but are there better?

The Champions League semi-finals are considered one of the best moments of the European football season. Four teams, the best in the world, compete to reach the most important match of the year at club level, and every season there are surprises, stunning goals and unforgettable days of football. Over the past decades, since the Champions League adopted its modern format in the early 2000s, fans have witnessed historic matches, unforgettable comebacks, extra-time drama and last-minute goals that shaped football history, and this season proved it once again with the Unforgettable first leg match between PSG and Bayern Munich.

But where does he rank in the best Champions League semi-finals?

10. AS Roma vs Liverpool (2018)

The 2017-18 Champions League campaign was largely marked by AS Roma’s incredible comebacks, notably in the quarter-finals against Barcelona, ​​with the unexpected 3-0 victory at the Stadio Olimpico in the second leg. After this victory, AS Roma faced Liverpool in the semi-final and after losing 5-2 in the first leg in England, they almost made another comeback and won 4-2 in Rome, not enough for the team then led by Eusebio Di Francesco to take the semi-final second leg into extra time. With 13 goals across the two matches and a thrilling second game in Rome, it was a tie to remember.

9. Inter vs. AC Milan (2023)

The 2022-23 Champions League semi-finals saw the return of the Derby della Madonnina for the second time at this stage of the European competition. The first time, in 2003, two draws (0-0 in the first leg and 1-1 in the return) took the Rossoneri to the final, where they met and won on penalties against Juventus. Twenty years later they met again and this time the Nerazzurri, managed by Simone Inzaghi, won both matches to reach their first final since 2010. In the final, however, they were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Two links that will remain in the memory of both fanbases for a long time, for very different reasons.

8. AC Milan v Manchester United (2007)

There was a time when AC Milan dominated Europe. AC Milan have won the Champions League trophy seven times, most recently in 2007 against Liverpool in the final played in Athens. This match was only possible thanks to the two-legged semi-finals played against Sir Alex Ferguson’s team. Manchester Unitedwith a 3-2 victory at Old Trafford in the first leg before the decisive second match played at San Siro and won 3-0 by the team coached by Carlo Ancelotti, with the goals scored by Ricardo Kaka, Clarence Seedorf and Alberto Gilardino.

7. Ajax vs. Tottenham (2019)

The 2018-19 semi-finals saw Ajax and Tottenham face each other for the first time in their history, and it was incredible. The Dutch, after eliminating Real Madrid in the round of 16 and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus in the quarter-finals, faced the English team led by the current coach of the United States men’s national team. Mauricio Pochettino in the last round before the final. After winning the first leg in London, Ajax led 2-0 at half-time in Amsterdam. However, a superb hat-trick of Lucas Mourawith a spectacular goal in the 96th minute, denied Ajax a place in the Champions League final. The outcome of this semi-final was decided by the away goals rule, now abolished.

6. Barcelona vs Chelsea (2012)

The late goal scored by Fernando Torres in the last minute of the second leg played in Barcelona at the Camp Nou was one of the most iconic moments in the history of the tournament. After winning 1-0 in the first leg played at Stamford Bridge, Roberto Di Matteo’s Blues drew 2-2 at the Camp Nou then faced Bayern Munich in the final played at the Allianz Arena in Germany, which they won on penalties after a last-minute goal scored by Didier Drogba took the final to extra time.

5. Barcelona vs Inter (2010)

The 1-0 second leg played in Barcelona was an unforgettable moment in the history of the Champions League, as José Mourinho’s Inter had to defend the unexpected 3-1 victory in Milan in the first leg. A week later, the Nerazzurri faced the best team in the world and were forced to play more than 70 minutes with ten men after Thiago Motta was sent off. Despite their disadvantage, they defended well, conceding just one goal in the second half, which remains one of the greatest defensive performances in the history of the sport. A few weeks later, Inter won their first Champions League trophy in 45 years, beating Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu thanks to a brace scored by Diego Milito.

4. Liverpool vs Barcelona (2019)

Barcelona’s 3-0 win at Camp Nou in the first leg appeared to end Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool’s dreams of winning the Champions League again. However, the miracle happened at Anfield as the Reds won 4-0 thanks to goals scored by Divock Origin and Georginio Wijnaldum, leading the England team to one of the best comebacks in recent years. Barcelona couldn’t do much against Liverpool that day at Anfield, a game that took Liverpool to the final, later winning against Tottenham in Madrid.

3. Bayern Munich vs. PSG (2026)

Now let’s talk about this season’s semi-finals. The first leg was clearly one of the best, if not the best match in recent years. To be honest, the second match in Munich did not reach the same level as the unforgettable evening in Paris. However, this first one, with nine goals scored in 90 minutes, constant twists and turns and incredible drama, will forever be remembered by football fans.

2. Inter vs. Barcelona (2025)

Last year’s semi-finals between Inter and Barcelona were simply incredible. There were 13 goals scored between the first leg and the second leg, and just as many emotions. Both teams drew 3-3 in Barcelona and the second leg was simply impossible to forget. Inter scored twice in the first half through Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Çalhanoglu, but Barcelona hit back after the break with three goals from Eric García, Danny Olmo and Raphinha, seemingly ending the Nerazzurri’s dream. However, a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer from Francesco Acerbi forced the tie into extra time, where Davide Frattesi scored the decisive goal to send the Italian team into their second final in three years.

1. Real Madrid vs. Manchester City (2022)

And then, the most memorable semi-final of recent years, that between Real Madrid and Manchester City in 2022. After losing 4-3 in the first leg in Manchester, Real Madrid had to make another comeback in the semi-final return, after having done so against PSG and Chelsea during the previous rounds in an unforgettable journey for the team coached by Ancelotti. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City scored first with Riyad Mahrez in the 73rd minute, seemingly putting the tie beyond Real Madrid and ending their hopes of another final. But at the Bernabeu, it’s never over. Rodrygo scored twice in the final moments of regulation time to force extra time, where Karim Benzema converted the decisive goal for a 3-1 victory. Another astonishing comeback, and another chapter written in the Champions League history books.