Valencia (1999-2001)
Back when La Liga was more than a two-horse race Valencia were among the top clubs in Europe. They reached the Champions League final in 2000, when they met Real Madrid, and in 2001, when they faced Bayern Munich. In 2000 Valencia were demolished by a brilliant Madrid team. Goals from the front-partnership of Raul and Morientes and a strike from Steve McManaman were enough for the Whites to stun Els taronja. Few teams reach the final two consecutive years, but for Valencia this was their chance to redeem themselves for their failures the year before. Bayern were still sore from the loss to United at the Nou Camp in 99 and this was their chance to add a fourth competition win to their record and put that memory to bed. Three minutes into the match the Spaniards were awarded a penalty kick, which Gaizka Mendieta scored to put Hector Cupers team ahead. By the second half Bayern had missed a penalty of their own when the referee pointed to the spot again after Amedeo Carboni handled the ball. Stefan Effenberg slotted the equaliser and after a goalless extra-time the match went to penalties. After five penalties each both teams were matched with three goals. Bixente Lizarazu and Kily Gonzalez were next and both scored. Thomas Linke notched Bayerns fifth and so the pressure was now on Mauricio Pellegrino. The defenders shot was saved by Oliver Kahn. Bayern lifted the trophy and Valencia had to settle for second for the second consecutive year. Valencia had come so close to winning two Champions Leagues. The first time they were fairly smashed by an experienced and rich team but they should have beaten a Bayern side who were their equal. That second Valencia team boasted the creative dynamism of a young Pablo Aimar, the wing-play of Ruben Baraja and Kily Gonzalez, the box-to-box talents of Mendieta and the defensive solidity provided by Roberto Ayala and Santiago Canizarez.