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Three weeks can seem like an excruciatingly long time when it comes to the UEFA Champions League. But Europe's biggest club competition is finally here for another round of exciting fixtures.
We're only two games into the group stage of the 2021-22 season, but it's been an amazing ride so far, with several thrilling moments. However, nothing beats Real Madrid's stunning 2-1 loss to Moldovan debutants Sheriff Tiraspol, who pulled off the big upset at the Santiago Bernabeu last month.
With the prospect of more such unexpected results this week, let's look at the five greatest upsets in UEFA Champions League history:
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#5 FC Basel 2-1 Manchester United (December 2011)
FC Basel have beaten many big teams in their history. But the reason this one particularly stands out is because it consigned Manchester United into the Europa League.
The Red Devils had suffered the ignominy of bowing out in the group stage of the Champions League only twice before. But nobody saw history repeating itself in the 2011-12 season.
With Benfica and Romanian minnows Oțelul Galați also in their group, the reigning Premier League champions were expected to cruise into the knockout stage. But a series of disappointing results left them needing at least a draw on the final day to book their place in the Round of 16.
Basel, though, sprung a surprise. An error from David De Gea allowed Marco Streller to put the hosts in front before Alexander Frei nodded home a second after the break to double their advantage.
Phil Jones gave the stunned Red Devils a glimmer of hope in the 89th minute by reducing the deficit. But it was too little too late as Basel held on to qualify for the last 16 at United's expense.
#4 Celtic 2-1 Barcelona (November 2012)
In one of the most sensational Champions League upsets in history, Celtic defeated mighty Barcelona despite having only a meager 16% possession.
The match was as lopsided as one could expect, with the Scottish champions spending most of the time in their own half trying to soak up a barrage of attacks from the visitors.
However, goals from Victor Wanyama and Anthony Watt helped the side come away with all three points as Lionel Messi's stoppage-time strike went in vain.
#3 BATE Borisov 3-1 Bayern Munich (October 2012)
Bayern Munich won their first treble in the 2012-13 season after dominant campaigns in the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Champions League. However, their journey was sometimes rocky, especially on that fateful night in Belarus when minnows BATE Borisov pulled off a stunning 3-1 victory over them.
Jupp Heynckes fielded a strong team featuring Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller, Franck Ribery and Mario Mandzukic. Yet the German behemoths came away unstuck in Borisov.
Goals from Alyaksandr Pawlaw and Vitali Rodionov either side of half-time had the hosts cruising 2-0 by 78 minutes, before Ribery pulled one back in stoppage-time.
That gave the visitors a slim chance of a comeback. Howeer, those hopes were soon squished when Renan Bressan scored a third for the Zholto-Sinie in the 94th minute, sending shockwaves around Europe.
#2 Barcelona 1-2 Rubin Kazan (October 2009)
Barcelona are no longer the European force they used to be. But back in 2009, they were, so when they succumbed to an unexpected defeat to little-known Rubin Kazan at home, it was a huge upset.
The Russian outfit, given 22-1 odds to win before the game, stunned the defending champions 2-1 at the Camp Nou. Barcelona had all their key players in the starting line-up like Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Victor Valdes and Yaya Toure.
Yet Aleksandr Ryazantev put the visitors in front inside the opening two minutes of the game with a stunning 30-yard volley.
Ibrahimovic equalised just before half-time. But despite Pep Guardiola's side dominating the second period, they couldn't prevent Rubinovye from retaking the lead as Gökdeniz Karadeniz stunned the crowd with a 73rd-minute winner.
#1 Real Madrid 1-2 Sheriff Tiraspol (September 2021)
Real Madrid have seen numerous insane results under Carlo Ancelotti, both good and bad. But this one is right up there at the top of the list. Or perhaps, in their history.
The Champions League behemoths were left embarrassed by the Moldovan minnows on matchday two of the season last month, going down 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Los Blancos obviously dominated the statistics (possession, shots, passes, etc.), but the Wasps held firm, absorbing a barrage of attacks before hitting Madrid on the break.
Karim Benzema thought to have at least secured a point by bringing the hosts level from the penalty spot. But Sebastien Thill stunned Los Blancos with an audacious volley in the 89th minute to seal all three points for the visitors. Real Madrid struggled to respond as one of the greatest Champions League upsets ensued.
