The 10 best teams (part 1) that DIDN'T win the Champions League

<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="1">The 10 best teams that DIDN'T win the Champions League</h1>

Despite the two Premier League titles, domestic dominance and having one of the most enviable squads in the world, Manchester City still haven't made it past the quarter-finals in the Champions League since Pep Guardiola joined the club.

Despite having two Premier League titles, the first dominance and being one of the most enviable teams in the world, Guardiola has still not reached the Champions League quarter-finals since joining Manchester City.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE How likely are Manchester City to win the quadruple?

How likely are City to win the Champions League?

Of course City aren't the only great side from history to have failed to win the Champions League…

Of course, Manchester City are not the only team in history that has not won the Champions League.

1, Arsenal, 2003/04

Arsenal, 2003/04

The Invincibles have gone down in Premier League folklore thanks to their extraordinary unbeaten feat, as a Thierry Henry-inspired team brushed aside the competition in England.

The invincible team was all the rage in the Premier League for their unbeaten skills, with the team led by Thierry Henry sweeping England's tournament title away.

It was therefore tinged with regret when their European aspirations were ended by a familiar opponent – a Chelsea team they'd already beaten three times in other competitions during the same campaign.

So when their European goal was ended by a familiar opponent: Chelsea, who had already beaten it three times in other games in the same campaign, everyone was deeply sorry.

A 3-0 defeat to Inter Milan at Highbury in their group opener was the worst possible start, and was followed by a draw at Lokomotiv Moscow and defeat away to Dynamo Kiev. Qualification hopes appeared to be slim, but three wins in a row – including a superb 5-1 thrashing of Inter at San Siro – sealed their passage to the knockout stages as group winners.

Inter Milan beat Hybury 3-0 in the opening match of the group stage was the worst start, followed by a draw at Lokomov Moscow and a defeat to Dynamo Kiev. There seemed to be little hope of qualifying, but three consecutive wins, including a 5-1 win over Inter Milan at San Siro, sealed their way to the knockout stage as group champions.

A 5-2 aggregate win over Celta Vigo in the last 16 set up a quarter-final for Arsenal against the Blues. A 1-1 first-leg draw at Stamford Bridge put the Gunners in pole position, extending Arsenal’s unbeaten run against their London rivals to 17 games – but Arsene Wenger’s side crashed out with a 2-1 defeat at Highbury, having led 1-0 at the break. Wayne Bridge’s 87th-minute winner still hurts in north London.

Beat Celta 5-2 on aggregate in the last 16 games to advance to the quarter-finals for the Blues. A 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge put Arsenal in pole position, extending Arsenal's unbeaten run against their London opponents to 17 matches, but Wenger's side were beaten 2-1 in Highbury after a 1-0 lead. Wayne Bridge, the winner of the 87th minute, was still injured in north London.

2. Chelsea, 2004/05

Chelsea, 2004/05

Jose Mourinho’s impact at Chelsea was immediate and significant. The Portuguese arrived with a burgeoning reputation, having secured an unlikely Champions League title at Porto the season prior, but he couldn’t replicate the feat for his new team despite record-breaking results on the home front. The Blues’ 95-point haul was the highest ever for a single season at the time, and was accompanied by more records: fewest goals conceded (15), most wins (29), most away wins (15), and most clean sheets kept (25) in a single campaign.

Jose Mourinho's influence on Chelsea was immediate. The Portuguese came to prominence, having won the Champions League in Porto in the previous season, but despite his record at new heights in his home country, he was unable to replicate the feat for a new team. The Blues' scoring of 95 minutes was the highest in a single season at the time and was accompanied by more records: fewest goals conceded (15), most wins (29), most away wins (15) and least conceded (25).

Things started promisingly in Europe as Chelsea topped a group featuring PSG, CSKA Moscow and Mourinho’s former side Porto, losing just once on the final day when top spot was already assured.

With Chelsea overtaking a group of Paris Saint-Germain, CSKA Moscow and Mourinho's former Porto, began an encouraging tournament in Europe, losing just once on the final day that had already set the top spot.

But they didn’t benefit from easy draws, and faced Ronaldinho’s Barcelona in the last 16. Nevertheless, the Spaniards were beaten 5-4 on aggregate after a classic 4-2 win at Stamford Bridge sealed by a John Terry header. Bayern Munich fell next in another thriller that finished 6-5 to the Blues on aggregate, but their journey ended in the semi-finals thanks to Luis Garcia’s ‘ghost goal’ for Liverpool which gave the Reds a 1-0 aggregate win three minutes into the second leg at Anfield.

But they haven't benefited from an easy draw, with they facing Ronaldo's Barcelona over the past 16 years. Still, the Spaniards beat espanyol 5-4 after a classic 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge topped off with John Terry's header. Bayern Munich were second in another exciting match, beating the Blues 6-5 in the finals, but their journey ended in the semi-finals thanks to Luis Garcia's 'ghost goal' against Liverpool, which left the Reds with a 1-0 aggregate win at Anfield in three minutes.

Speaking to FourFourTwo, Garcia revealed that Mourinho still hasn’t forgotten the controversial incident. “He is still seething,” said the Spaniard. “He’ll always deny my goal, but if I was him I’d do the same.”

In his speech to 442 Magazine, Garcia revealed that Mourinho still has not forgotten the controversial incident. The Spaniard said: "He is still disappointed. 'He would always question my goals, but if I were him, I would do the same thing.'

3. Juventus, 1996-99

Juventus, 1996-99

It’s easy to see why Juventus fans might be forgiven for thinking their side is cursed in Champions League finals. Twice they battled all the way to the end with a fine team, and twice they fell.

It's not hard to see why Juventus fans think their team was cursed in the Champions League final. They fought with a good team twice, and failed twice.

It’s arguably unfair to include a side that did win the Champions League just a year before these events (in 1995/96), but their individual talent, domestic dominance in an era when Serie A was Europe’s strongest league, and the fact they were on the brink of conquering Old Big Ears for three seasons running merits their inclusion.

This would be unfair to the teams that won the Champions League the year before the tournament (1995/96), but their individual talents, the domestic dominance of the era when Europe's strongest league was Serie A, were reluctant to conquer the trophy in three consecutive seasons.

The 1997 final defeat to Borussia Dortmund remains one of the tournament’s great shock results, as the German side secured their one and only title against an Old Lady line-up featuring the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Christian Vieri and Didier Deschamps. Marcello Lippi’s side battled all the way through the competition again a year later, but this time were undone by a Predrag Mijatovic goal against Real Madrid in the Amsterdam final – their third consecutive appearance in the fixture.

The final defeat against Borussia Dortmund in 1997 remained one of the major shocking outcomes of the match, as the German side won the only title in the classic squad against the likes of Zidadin Zidane, Christian Vieri and Didier Deschamps. A year later, Marcelo Lippi fought all the way in the game again, but this time was stopped by Predrago Mijatovic's goal against Real Madrid in the Amsterdam final, their third consecutive appearance in the game.

On that day, Alessandro Del Piero and Pippo Inzaghi lined up in front of Zidane, while Edgar Davids had been added to the midfield. Despite boasting a squad that read like a Who’s Who of ‘90s superstars, Juve – after losing to Manchester United in the 1999 semi-finals too – had to settle for just the one European title in that decade. Since then, the Italians have made it to three more finals, losing all of them. Can Cristiano help end the curse? Well, not this year, he can’t...

On matchday, Alessandro del Piero and Pippo Inzaghi were placed ahead of Zidane, while Edgar Davis was added to midfield. Although Juve have a who's who looks like a '90s superstar, Juve (who also lost to Manchester United in the semi-finals in 1999) have won only one European title in that decade. Since then, the Italian has reached three more finals and lost all of them. Can Cristiano help end the curse? Well, not this year anyway, he can't ...

4. Atletico Madrid, 2013/14 and 2015/16

Atletico Madrid, 2013/14 and 2015/16

Diego Simeone has revolutionised Atletico Madrid since his arrival as manager in December 2011. Picking up a side that had finished seventh in La Liga and been knocked out of the Europa League group stage the season before, the fiery Argentine transformed his team into Spanish winners and serious Champions League contenders.

Since becoming manager in December 2011, Diego Simone has revolutionized Atletico Madrid. In the pre-season, after finishing seventh in La Liga and being eliminated from the Europa League group stage, he began to transform the team into Champions League contenders.

In 2013/14, Atleti were crowned victors of La Liga and made it all the way to the Champions League final, where they were seconds away from defeating rivals Real Madrid. Instead, they leaked a last-minute equaliser and fell to a demoralising 4-1 loss in extra-time.

In the 2013/14 season, Atletico were crowned La Liga champions and made their way to the Champions League final, just seconds away from beating Real Madrid. However, they were equalised in the last minute and lost 4-1 in extra time.

Simeone’s side proved their success wasn’t a flash in the pan by getting another crack at the trophy two years later, again against their city neighbours. Again, though, heartbreak followed as Los Colchoneros lost on penalties. They did at least claim a sliver of revenge by claiming the UEFA Super Cup with a 4-2 win over Real Madrid in 2018, having scooped the Europa League title that year. Simeone hasn’t given up on his Champions League dream yet.

Simeone's side proved that their success didn't happen overnight, and two years later, he once again played against a neighboring team and once again won a place in the trophy. Again, nevertheless, the heartbreak was the defeat of Lo Corgonellos. They took revenge by beating Real Madrid 4-2 to win the UEFA Super Cup at least in 2018, when he won the Europa League. Simeone has yet to give up on his Champions League dreams.

5. Valencia, 1999-2001

Valencia, 1999-2001

Another side to have had more than one bite at the cherry without success, Valencia’s memorable team of the millennium era came agonisingly close to European glory.

The other team tried many times but never won, valencia's unforgettable team that could not be combined was incomparably close to the glory of the European Championship.

Hector Cuper’s side embarked on a spectacular run to the final, getting through two group stages before knocking out an all-star Lazio side that went on to win Serie A that year, as well as domestic rivals Barcelona. Both ties were settled thanks to superb performances at the Mestalla, but Los Che couldn’t raise their game to defeat Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Paris and slumped to a 3-0 defeat.

Hector Cooper's side had a brilliant performance after reaching the final, going through two group stages before eliminating All-Star Lazio, who won serie A that year, and domestic rival Barcelona. Thanks to their excellent performances at Mestala, the two sides were able to stabilize their form, but Lo Che was unable to raise himself to a certain height to beat Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Paris and eventually lost 3-0.

Captain Gaizka Mendieta inspired the Spanish side all the way from qualifiers to the final once again a year later, knocking out English sides Arsenal and Leeds en route in the quarter and semi-finals respectively.

On an annual basis, Gezca Mendieta re-inspired Spain from qualifiers to finals, knocking out Arsenal and Leeds England in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively.

Mendieta’s penalty gave them an early lead against Bayern Munich in the final, but Stefan Effenberg equalised from the spot. The Germans went on to triumph 5-4 in sudden death of the eventual shootout. It wasn’t all doom and gloom, though: Rafael Benitez’s arrival the following season sparked a charge to the La Liga title

Mendieta's penalty allowed them to beat Bayern Munich earlier in the final, but Stefan Effenberg equalised from the spot. In the penalty shootout after the final penalty shootout, the German went on to win 5-4. It's not just doomed and frustrating, though: the arrival of Rafael Benitez next season ignites a more brilliant spark in La Liga.

To be continued, please see the next issue...

To be continued, please see next issue

Translated | Proofreader: King