Liverpool 2005

Coach: Rafael Benítez

Rafael Benítez's Liverpool produced the single most famous comeback in European Cup final history in Istanbul in 2005, trailing Milan 3-0 at half-time before scoring three goals in six second-half minutes through Steven Gerrard, Vladimír Šmicer and a Xabi Alonso rebound after his initial penalty was saved, forcing extra time and eventually winning on penalties with Jerzy Dudek's saves proving decisive in the shootout. Gerrard's header to start the comeback, followed by his talismanic leadership across the rest of the match, cemented his status as Liverpool's defining modern-era captain, while Dudek's double save from Andriy Shevchenko in extra time is still replayed as one of the iconic goalkeeping moments in the competition's history. This Liverpool squad had finished a distant fifth in the Premier League that season, well off the pace domestically, making the European triumph feel almost disconnected from the team's day-to-day form. Known simply as 'the Miracle of Istanbul', this match is widely regarded as the greatest Champions League final ever played, and elevated Gerrard and this squad to a permanent place in the club's folklore.