The Champions League is starting to hit full flow with another round of group games. Some may write them off as predictable, but there have been some cracking matches in the group stages down the years. We take a look at five of the best....
Five of the Best Champions League Group Games
Manchester United 3-3 Barcelona, 1999
These two giants had two gripping battles in the group stages of the 1999 competition, which Manchester United went on to win as part of a historic treble. In the game at Old Trafford, United went 2-0 up through a Ryan Giggs header and a Paul Scholes goal, but Sonny Anderson's goal and a penalty by Giovanni tied things up. David Beckham scored a trademark free kick but Luis Enrique's penalty following a Nicky Butt handball meant the game ended 3-3. In the return game, Anderson gave Barca a first minute lead, before Dwight Yorke equalised. United took the lead twice through Yorke and Andy Cole, but a brace from Rivaldo again tied things up at 3-3.
Inter Milan 1-5 Arsenal, 2003
Arsenal sent shockwaves through Europe as Thierry Henry inspired the Gunners with a world class performance. It came during the winter months of their unbeaten Premier League season of 2003/04, which earned the team the nickname "the Invincibles." Arsene Wenger's side humbled the Italian giants at the San Siro. Henry scored the first goal, before Christian Vieri equalised, Freddie Ljungberg put Arsenal back in front before a brilliant Henry goal made it 3-1. Edu and Robert Pires then scored late on, as Arsenal avenged a 3-0 home defeat to Inter earlier in the competition.
Newcastle 3-2 Barcelona, 1997
During Kenny Dalgish's reign, Newcastle showed their mettle on the European stage with this brilliant home win over Barcelona, remembered fondly for Faustino Asprilla's 22-minute hat-trick, which helped the Toon Army get over the fact Alan Shearer was a lengthy injury absentee with a broken leg. Newcastle didn't have it all their own way though, and were grateful for Shay Given not conceding any more than the two he did.
Liverpool 3-1 Olympiakos, 2005
Liverpool went in to the game needing to win 1-0 or by two clear goals. The 1-0 plan went out the window when Rivaldo curled a free kick past Chris Kirkland on 26 minutes, meaning Liverpool needed to score three to get out of the group stages. Rafa Benitez threw Florent Sinama-Pongolle on at half time, within two minutes they were back in the game. Another supersub, Neil Mellor made it 2-1 with 12 minutes to play, but Liverpool still needed one more goal. Up stepped Steven Gerrard, who smashed home from 25 yards to give the Reds the two goal cushion they needed. They of course went on to win the competition in even more dramatic circumstances against Milan in the final.
Leeds 1-0 AC Milan, 2000
It wasn't the best game you'll ever see, but it was the night Leeds announced themselves on the European stage. Lee Bowyer pounced on a mistake by Milan 'keeper Dida to give Leeds the lead, and the Yorkshire club then defended bravely against top strikers Andrei Shevchenko and Oliver Bierhoff at the other end - even with makeshift centre half Danny Mills in the line-up. Leeds' Champions League era peaked with a semi-final appearance against Valencia in 2001, before their slow demise from the top flight.
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