A Chelsea side tipped at points this season go a) go unbeaten in the Premier League and b) win the treble will now do neither – here are five other great sides that promised so much but failed to deliver in the Champions League…
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Chelsea rumours
1) Arsenal 2003/04
Despite going unbeaten in the Premier League and thrashing Inter Milan 5-1 in that season’s Champions League group stage, Arsenal’s famous Invincibles side were big under-achievers in Europe and crashed out through sheer fatigue in the quarter-finals to Chelsea that season.
2) Chelsea 2004/05
A winner with Porto the season before, Jose Mourinho could not deliver the Champions League title to his Premier League champions Chelsea, though that was down to a huge slice of misfortune as Luis Garcia’s ghost-goal stood in that crucial semi-final second leg.
3) Atletico Madrid 2013/14
Up against a top class Real Madrid side, Atletico Madrid’s heroes from last season were oh so close to glory before losing a 1-0 lead in the final against their rivals before capitulating in extra time.
4) Borussia Dortmund 2012/13
One of the most entertaining teams in Europe in 2013, Borussia Dortmund thrashed Real Madrid on their way to the final, where they were desperately unlucky to lose late on to rivals Bayern Munich, who themselves were a great side to miss out on the trophy just one year before.
5) Manchester United 2002/03
With stars like David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Ruud van Nistelrooy and more all at their peak, Manchester United’s title-winning side of 2003/03 gave it their best shot against Real Madrid’s Galacticos, beating them 4-3 in a thrilling second leg at Old Trafford, though it was not enough to overturn a 3-1 first leg deficit.