5 greatest comebacks in UEFA Champions League history

#2 Deportivo - 4 AC Milan - 0 (Aggregate: Deportivo - 5 AC Milan - 4), 2003-04 quarterfinal

A dominant AC Milan side coasted to a comfortable 4-1 first leg home win in their 2003-04 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie against Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna.

Deportivo were up against it as no side had ever mounted a comeback from three goals down in the competition before.

After Milan spurned an early opportunity to put the tie to bed, a revitalized Deportivo opened the scoring in the fifth minute through Walter Pandiani. Late first half goals from Juan Carlos Valerón and Albert Luque wiped out Milan's aggregate lead as Deportivo began to dream of an unlikely comeback.

Fran made it a night to remember at the Riazor when the Spanish midfielder scored the home side's fourth unanswered goal of the second leg in the 76th minute to complete a stunning 4-3 aggregate victory.

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Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.

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Edited by Musab Abid