Barcelona Faces Frequent Big Comeback Challenges in Champions League Rematches

Only four times since the 1992/93 season has a team overturned a first-leg deficit of three or more goals in the Champions League. Such comebacks remain exceptionally rare. Several clubs face that exact challenge this midweek.

Teams with work to do this week

• Sporting Lisbon lost 0-3 away to Bodø/Glimt. They must score at least three at home.
• Manchester City also trails by three after a 0-3 defeat to Real Madrid.
• Chelsea must overturn a 2-5 home loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
• Tottenham need to make up a 2-5 deficit after facing Atlético Madrid.

Atalanta faces an even steeper task on Wednesday. They lost 1-6 at home to Bayern Munich. Nicola Zalewski and his teammates must overcome a five-goal gap in Munich.

Barcelona’s recurring role in dramatic turnarounds

Barcelona figures prominently in these rare comebacks. The club is the only side to overturn a four-goal first-leg deficit.

In 2016/17 Barcelona lost 0-4 to Paris Saint-Germain away. They then won 6-1 at Camp Nou and advanced.

Barcelona has also been involved in two three-goal reversals where they exited the competition. In 2017/18 they beat AS Roma 4-1, then lost 0-3 and were eliminated on aggregate. A year later, Liverpool overturned a 0-3 first-leg deficit by winning 4-0 at Anfield.

Barcelona faces frequent big comeback challenges in Champions League rematches, both as the staging ground and the opponent.

Near misses and historical context

Juventus came close in a playoff tie with Galatasaray. After a 2-5 loss away, Juventus led 3-0 in the return. Playing with ten men in extra time, they conceded twice and were eliminated.

No team has recovered from a five-goal deficit in the competition. Atalanta will attempt that feat this week.

Historic reversals

These results underline how rare dramatic turnarounds are in the Champions League. Filmogaz.com will monitor the second legs closely. Expect tense nights and high stakes across Europe.