5 times European giants were humiliated in European club football

1 AC Milan (4 – 0) Barcelona, Olympic Stadium (Athens), Final, 1993-94

The Milan side were managed by Fabio Capello

There have been other instances of a team emerging victorious by a difference of 4 goals in the European Cup final, but it was usually the team touted to win the trophy. The 1994 final was different though. Milan, despite having a greater legacy and pedigree in Europe’s premier club competition, were considered underdogs in the build-up to Athens.

Captain Franco Baresi and defender Alessandro Costacurta were suspended and Van Basten was out injured. Most believed Milan’s defence would be rattled by the attacking flair of Cruyff’s men. Fabio Capello had plans of his own though, he decided to fight fire with fire, and the result was a one-sided 4-0 score line in favour of the Milan team.

The winners of the 1992 European Cup, the last year of the old format and name were completely outclassed by the runners-up of the 1993 UEFA Champions League, the first year under the new name.

Daniele Massaro found the back of the net twice in the first half, and Savievi and Desailly completed the rout with a goal apiece in the second half. Fabio Capello had three words after the match to describe his team’s performance, “This, is perfection!” This goes down as one of the largest margin upsets in European Cup Finals history to this day.