Remembering the best Champions League matches from the 2023/24 season

Real Madrid secured their 15th Champions League title at Wembley last season with a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund. Los Blancos arrived as one of the pre-tournament favourites, and lived up to expectations in Champions League betting despite a valiant effort from Dortmund, who were punished by Carlo Ancelotti’s side. 

As we reflect on the previous European campaign, it’s important to remember that this season will see the introduction of the new Swiss-style format. This sees group games played between September and January in a 36-team tournament.

In this article, we look back at the previous campaign and review some of the most memorable matches from Europe’s 2023/24 season. 

Bayern Munich 4-3 Manchester United 

The opening week of fixtures was full of action, with several entertaining games and quality goals. Bayern Munich’s win over Manchester United in Germany encapsulated that chaos in a seven-goal thriller.

The hosts were in cruise control for the majority of the first half, but Erik ten Hag’s side showed resilience to fight back multiple times. Harry Kane looked to have done enough for all three points, but Casemiro’s double either side of Mathys Tel’s finish made for a nervy ending to the game as Bayern held out for a 4-3 victory.

Sevilla 2-3 PSV Eindhoven

PSV came from two goals down to secure a group stage victory over Sevilla in the penultimate week of fixtures. Sergio Ramos gave the Spaniards a lead which was quickly doubled before the Dutch side mounted a comeback. 

Lucas Ocampo, Sevilla’s main outlet on the night, was sent off with half an hour to play after a rash tackle. The game was suddenly flipped on its head, and a fatigued side were unable to cope with PSV’s wave of attacks.

Ismael Saibari started the comeback before a Nemanja Gudelj own goal and Ricardo Pepi’s late winner ensured PSV would make it to the round of 16, eventually knocked out by Dortmund. 

Real Madrid 3-3 Manchester City 

Over the years, Real Madrid and Manchester City would go on to produce some classics. Their fiercely contested semi-final in 2022 saw Madrid complete one of the best comebacks in Champions League history, with City getting their revenge a year later en route to their first European crown.

Pep Guardiola’s side started fast this season, going 1-0 up within two minutes of the first leg in the quarter-finals, however, Real would take the lead shortly after through two quick-fire goals. 

Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol restored City’s lead at the Santiago Bernabéu with goals in the 66th and 71st minutes, but Federico Valverde’s strike 10 minutes from time resulted in a stalemate. Madrid went on to win the tie via a penalty shootout on their road to Wembley. 

Borussia Dortmund 4-2 Atlético Madrid

Finalists Dortmund endured their fair share of drama before reaching the final last season. Their second leg of the last eight against Atlético Madrid gave them an uphill battle to climb in one of the most famous nights at the Signal Iduna Park.

Dortmund went through 5-4 on aggregate after first-half goals from Julian Brandt and Ian Maatsen started the comeback. A Mats Hummels own goal looked like it would allow Atleti back into the tie but Niclas Füllkrug and Marcel Sabitzer were on hand to score late and complete the comeback.