Four classic Champions League displays from Premier League sides in Italy

Denzil Pinto 08:16 13/02/2018
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  • With the group stages over, the Champions League reaches the business end with the last-16 round knockout stages. The draw saw some intriguing ties thrown up and Juventus‘ clash with Tottenham is certainly one of those.

    It will be the first meeting of the two sides in a UEFA club competition and the first time the two nations have gone head-to-head since Juve’s clash against Manchester City in 2015/16.

    Ahead of Tuesday’s first-leg tie, we look at four classic displays from English sides in Italy.

    JUVENTUS 2-3 MANCHESTER UNITED, April 21, 1999

    Roy Keane against Juventus

    Roy Keane against Juventus.

    One of the most remarkable comebacks in European football for Manchester United. The Red Devils had a stern task ahead of them against a formidable Juve side who were bidding to reach the showpiece final for the fourth consecutive year.

    When Filippo Inzaghi netted twice in the first 11 minutes, it was a long way back for United. But captain Roy Keane’s header gave them hope before Dwight Yorke saw them ahead on away goals. There was relentless pressure from the hosts but Andy Cole sealed the win on a memorable night for United.

    INTERNAZIONALE 1-5 ARSENAL, November 25, 2003

    Thierry Henry was sensational against Internazionale

    Thierry Henry was sensational against Internazionale.

    The Gunners travelled to Milan knowing victory was a must if they wanted to progress to the knockout stages. A 3-0 home defeat to Internazionale in the first fixture in London hadn’t exactly inspired confidence going into the game, but fans at the San Siro were shocked as Arsenal dismantled the hosts.

    Thierry Henry tormented Inter’s defence with his pace and was rewarded with the opening goal. Christian Vieri equalised but that was as good as it got for the hosts as Arsenal then took charge.

    Freddie Ljungberg, another Henry strike, Edu and Robert Pires all got themselves on the scoresheet and completed a remarkable result for Arsene Wenger for them to advance to the knockouts.

    AC MILAN 2-3 MANCHESTER UNITED, February 16, 2010

    Double: Wayne Rooney

    Double trouble: Wayne Rooney.

    All eyes were on David Beckham as he faced his old club in the last-16 round, first-leg tie, but it was the Red Devils who spoilt the party with a deserved victory at San Siro.

    Ronaldinho gave the hosts an early lead after a bright opening from Milan. When Paul Scholes levelled the scores, United gradually improved and took the lead thanks to a brace from Wayne Rooney – his 24th and 25th goals of the season.

    Clarence Seedorf reduced the deficit late on and despite Michael Carrick’s stoppage time red card, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side secured a vital first-leg lead, extending their unbeaten away run in Europe to a record 16 matches. They would cruise into the quarter-finals courtesy of a 4-0 hammering in the second leg at Old Trafford.

    INTERNAZIONALE 4-3 TOTTENHAM, October 20, 2010

    Gareth Bale's hat-trick went in vain

    A star is born: Gareth Bale.

    The Italian side showed why there were defending champions by outclassing Spurs at the San Siro, but what a game this was and the launchpad for Gareth Bale’s career.

    By the time the half-time whistle was blown the match was all but over with Javier Zanetti, Samuel Eto’o (twice) and Dejan Stankovic scoring to hold a 4-0 lead and leave a Spurs side lacking experience on the big European stage staring down the barrel of an embarrassing defeat.

    It appeared things were only going to get worse in the second half for the visitors with goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes sent off, but Spurs gave it a real go. Welsh wonderkid Bale showed glimpses of his potential and his searing pace by surging down the left to score two identical goals before completing his hat-trick deep into stoppage time.

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