Most memorable moments of the Champions League in 2022

The 2021–2022 Champions League will be remembered not just because Real Madrid won it for a record 14^th time, but for the way that they reached the final. They were like a boxer who had been knocked down but kept getting back up.

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In the round of 16, they lost to PSG in Paris in the away leg, and then went a goal down in the reverse fixture, only to score three goals in 17 minutes to completely turn the tie on its head.

Then, in the quarterfinal against Chelsea, although they won in London 3-1, they then found themselves three goals down in the reverse fixture at home, before two late goals were enough to put them through. They lost on the night but still progressed on aggregate.

Even more improbable was the way that they came through their semi-final against Manchester City.

Having lost in Manchester by the odd goal in seven, a 73^rd minute from Riyad Mahrez put the English champions further ahead.

Even Karim Benzema’s 90th/sup> minute goal appeared to be nothing more than a consolation. But as the game ticked into injury time, Rodrygo scored to take the tie into extra time, and then Benzema won the match for them from the penalty spot.

The final against Liverpool was routine by comparison, a single-goal victory courtesy of Vinicius Junior.

However, for Liverpool fans, the final in Paris will be remembered for the wrong reasons, because of ticketing problems and the way that they were treated by French police trying to access the ground in Paris, with a number of harmless people being tear-gassed. Even though the French Interior Minister tried to blame English hooligans, UEFA later cleared them of all wrongdoing and said that the local government wasn’t ready to host the match.

The World Cup being staged in November meant that the group stages of the 2022 – 2023 competition were squeezed into a truncated window between September and November.

And the main headlines from those group matches are the sides that will not be involved in the knock—out stages. Barcelona, Juventus, and Ajax all failed to make it out of their qualifying group, and instead, have dropped into the round of 32 of the Europa League.

For Atlético Madrid, twice finalists in the past decade, it was even worse news, as they finished bottom of their group and their interest in Europe was ended for another season.

The draw for the round of 16 has already been made, and two of the most prominent ties feature repeats of recent finals. Liverpool will be looking for revenge when they play Real Madrid again, whilst PSG and Bayern, who played in the 2020 final, are set for a rematch.

Bring it on! 👊

Which tie can't you wait for?#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/tiWnYYTdXj

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 7, 2022

PSG and Manchester City have made no secret that winning the Champions League is the holy grail as far as they are concerned – and their wealthy owners – so it remains to be seen if 2023 is the year that either one of them finally makes it and lifts the trophy.