Every UEFA Champions League Final Ranked From Worst To Best

17. Bayern Munich 1-1 Valencia (2001)

Penalties were the name of the game at the San Siro in this Champions League final which pitted the two previous seasons’ losing finalists against one another.

Valencia, who had gone down in limp fashion to Real Madrid in 2000, were the first to score from the spot, with Gaizka Mendieta converting a penalty in the third minute following a handball from Bayern Munich’s Patrik Andersson.

Bayern, who suffered heartbreak at the hands of Manchester United in the famous 1999 final, were then awarded their own spot kick a few minutes later when Jocelyn Angloma fouled Stefan Effenberg, but Mehmet Scholl’s effort was saved by Santiago Canizares.

The Bavarians got another bite at the cherry early in the second half though after a penalty was awarded after Amedeo Carboni was judged to have handled in the area while under pressure from Carsten Jancker.

This time Effenberg stepped up, scoring with ruthless efficiency to set up a tense final half hour that featured few in the way of chances. Extra time was the same, thus paving the way for more penalties.

Despite Canizares saving spot kicks from Paulo Sergio and Andersson, Bayern ultimately prevailed with Oliver Kahn the hero after denying Zlatko Zahovic, Carboni and, crucially, Mauricio Pellegrino.

An unusual final featuring plenty of penalty drama, but no actual goals from open play.

Contributor

Former Loaded magazine staff writer with additional credits for FourFourTwo, ScreenRant, Planet Football and Den of Geek. A man with an unhealthy interest in the film career of Hulk Hogan.