The last big surprises in the Champions League | Champions League

Eintracht Frankfurt reached the Round of 16 in their first UEFA Champions League campaign, while Brugge beat the odds to join them in the first knockout round.

Find out other teams that have surprised seasons played so far in S. XXI:

2000/01: Leeds United

“Most of them were a bunch of youngsters who had come up from the youth ranks,” recalls left-back Ian Hart of the side that reached the semi-finals of the 1999/2000 UEFA Cup and the Champions League the following season, overcoming two group stage stages and several rounds in a quarter. final before being knocked out by Valencia. From that 2000/01 generation, Harry Kewell (Liverpool, 2005) and Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United, 2008) won the cup with other clubs.

2003/2004: Athlete, Monaco

In an impressive campaign, Javier Irureta’s Deportivo reached the semi-finals (they knocked out Milan after losing the first leg of the quarter-finals 4-1) despite suffering a record 8-3 loss to Monaco in the knockout stage. Under the management of Didier Deschamps, Monaco was destined to go even further. Fernando Morientes, the loan striker, led last season’s Ligue 1 runners-up to the final, but found Jose Mourinho’s Porto undoubtedly in great form.

2004/05: PSV

Knocked out in their previous eight group stage outings and European champions in 1988, PSV have rebounded spectacularly under Guus Hiddink, reaching from the third qualifying round to the semi-finals despite losing a handful of players, essential in the summer transfer window. They came close to defeating Milan, who lost 3-1 in Eindhoven. “We worked well to promote Dutch football, and now in Europe they respect us a lot,” said the coach.

2005/06: Villarreal

From a humble town on the outskirts of Valencia, ‘Yellow Submarine’ showed their grit in their first season in the Champions League, twice stopping Manchester United in the group stage and then defeating Glasgow Rangers and Inter (both away) to reach the Champions League. The semi-final against Arsenal, where Jens Lehmann’s save from a penalty kick struck in the last minutes by Juan Roman Riquelme gave Arsenal a victory. “This is not a miracle,” insisted coach Manuel Pellegrini. “It is based on action and conviction.”

Raul Gonzalez is enjoying his first season at Schalke 04AFP via Getty Images

2010/11: Schalke

Led by Felix Magath (and later led by Ralf Rangnick), Gelsenkirchen’s side had a tough time in the 2010/11 Bundesliga, but shone in other competitions, winning the German Cup and reaching the Champions League semi-finals, thanks in part to Raul. Gonzalez, signed by Real Madrid. “When Raul stepped in front of me, I couldn’t speak,” said Julian Draxler of his amazement to play alongside the three-time Champions League winner in this team. “I’m enjoying myself as a little kid,” said Raul.

2011/12: APOEL

The Cypriot national team has had a very impressive track considering its position in European football. Ivan Jovanovic’s men, the first Cypriot team to reach the Round of 16, beat Lyon on penalties in the quarter-finals before finding a tough Real Madrid side. “We’ve achieved something we thought was impossible at the start of the season,” goalkeeper Dionysius Kiotis told UEFA.com. But beating Real Madrid in the next round was an elusive goal.

2012/13: Galatasaray, Malaga

After losing their first two matches in the group stage, Galatasaray reached the round of 16 on the back of goals from Burak Yilmaz. They won in Gelsenkirchen to eliminate Schalke 04 in the round of 16, but fell short of beating Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. For their part, Malaga, who made their Champions League debut, took advantage of their chance, and were first in the group ahead of Milan. They then beat Porto in their first tie, before losing to Borussia Dortmund. Isco, the star of that team, went to Madrid at the end of the season.

2016/17: Monaco

Radamel Falcao, who returned to France after his loan spells at Manchester United and Chelsea, once again showed his class in a match in which Monaco performed beyond their means (and became French champions). Leonardo Jardim’s team managed to pass the two qualifying rounds, were declared champions of their group, and beat Manchester City in the Round of 16, after drawing 6-6 on aggregate. Then they got rid of Dortmund and finally lost to Juventus in the semifinals. “It’s a competition that means a lot to us,” Jardim said.

Erik Ten Hag Ajax in 2018/19 VI images via Getty Images

2018/19: Ajax

Ajax were European champions three times in the 1970s and Champions League champions in 1994/95, but in recent times have struggled to retain their players against competition from wealthier clubs. However, Erik ten Hag made the best of him with an impressive group of youngsters from the academy, as well as experienced forwards Dušan Tadić and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. They reached the semi-finals for the first time in a long time, eliminating Real Madrid and Juventus before losing to Tottenham Hotspur.

2021/22: Villarreal

Seventh in La Liga the previous season, Villarreal qualified for the Champions League by defeating Manchester United on penalties in the Europa League Final. He met Old Trafford again in the group stage and, although he lost both matches to them, went into the knockout stages finishing second in the division to later eliminate Juventus and Bayern (“we were perfect in defence,” commented his coach Unai Emery). However, Liverpool were too strong for the yellow team in the semi-finals, winning 5-2 on aggregate.