Griffiths: United and that comeback
Manchester United's 1999 comeback against Bayern Munich is next as we look back at some memorable finals in Europe's top club competition.
By Ian Griffiths Senior Editor
When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham scored for Manchester United in the dying moments of a dramatic 1999 UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich, their goals sealed what - up until then - was the greatest comeback Europe's premier club competition had ever seen.
Trailing 1-0 and seemingly unable to penetrate a resolute German defence, United had summoned the heroic duo from the bench in an attempt to salvage something from a final that was slowly but surely slipping away from them.
What happened next is the stuff of legends, the Red Devils' eventual 2-1 success a memorable part of the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup treble they achieved during what proved to be a sensational season for everyone connected with Sir Alex Ferguson's talented outfit.
Having already sealed two of their three trophies - the Premier League and the FA Cup - United entered the May 26 clash at Barcelona's Camp Nou Stadium in high spirits, a buoyant mood no doubt enhanced by memories of a sensational 'come from behind' triumph that accounted for Juventus in the semi-finals. Within six minutes however, they were behind.
Giant centre-back Jaap Stam crashed into Bayern's Carsten Jancker on the edge of United's box to concede an early free-kick. In a flash, the Dutchman's clumsiness was punished by Mario Basler who stepped up to fire home past a flatfooted Peter Schmeichel from 25 yards.
ESPNSTAR.com's look back at great European Cup finals
Real Madrid vs Eintracht Frankfurt (1960)
Coming Soon:
Liverpool vs AC Milan (2005): THAT OTHER comeback
Nottingham Forest vs Malmo (1979)
Any other past European finals you'd like to read about? Let us know in the comments.
Stung into action, the 1968 European Cup winners fought back through Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole who both came close to restoring parity in a half which saw Bayern defending resolutely whilst threatening - particularly through the ever dangerous Alexander Zickler - to cause chaos on the counter-attack.
Shortly after the break, Stam's defensive partner Ronnie Johnson headed over before United's best chance of the game came and went, Jesper Blomqvist firing wide following a delightful pass from Welshman Ryan Giggs. Dreams of a treble were fading fast.
Bayern, still glowing from a comprehensive Bundesliga triumph, responded in dramatic fashion and only the woodwork prevented them from doubling their advantage when Basler's long-range attempt agonisingly clipped Schmeichel's bar.
The Bavarians pressed again, this time Steffan Effenberg brought the best out of Schmeichel thanks to a fine shot that United's keeper turned away superbly. The Danish stopper was helpless moments later as Mehmet Scholl's delightful chipped effort thumped against the upright.
The Munich charge was relentless but worse was to come for Ottmar Hitzfeld's men. With only five minutes remaining, Jancker's spectacular bicycle kick hit the frame of the goal to compound their agony. What could have been.
And then the drama. First, and with the match drifting into three minutes of stoppage time, a David Beckham corner was cleared to Giggs who lofted the ball into Bayern's penalty area. Sheringham, lurking menacingly, pounced to steer home a neat right foot shot past a helpless Oliver Kahn. The equaliser.
Seizing the initiative and roared on by their travelling support, United gained another corner with only seconds remaining.
Yet again, Beckham's delivery was pinpoint. Sheringham soared above Bayern's woefully static defenders and flicked the ball on to Solskjaer. The Norwegian marksman poked his foot at the ball and beat both Kahn and the two defenders stationed on the line. How the Mancunians celebrated.
Against all the odds, the giants of English football had bagged their second continental crown and secured an unbelievable treble. As Bayern's players lay distraught on the pitch, United were left to parade the Champions League trophy and reflect on what had been quite an amazing game.
"This is the best moment of my life. I'm really proud of my players, proud of my heritage and my family for what they have given me," a jubilant Ferguson said after the drama had subsided.
"I simply don't know where to begin but you can't deny people with this spirit we have and that's why we have won this trophy.
"Football is such a funny game. It's a fairytale really."
How true Sir Alex, how true.
Bayern Munich 1 - 2 Manchester United - May 26, 1999
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Bayern Munich: Kahn (captain), Linke, Matthaus (Fink), Kuffour, Babbel, Jeremies, Effenberg, Tarnat, Basler (Salihamidzic), Jancker, Zickler (Scholl).
Scorer: Basler (6)
Manchester United: Schmeichel (captain), G.Neville, Johnsen, Stam, Irwin, Beckham, Butt, Giggs, Blomqvist (Sheringham), Cole (Solskjaer), Yorke.
Scorers: Sheringham (90+1), Solskjaer (90+3)