Following on from exploring more unusual reasons of defeat, indulge yourself in an ‘epic’ list of defeats, which have caused a great impact in the course of footballing history. Here is the first five…of which most have been chosen of the circumstances and the drama involved.

No.20 Inter Milan  0 – 5 AC Milan 2005 Champions League Quarter Final

One of the most infamous Milan derbies in recent history, with a 2-0 lead from the first leg, AC were set to win, with a 1-0 lead from Shevchenko when the unruly Inter Ultras struck in protest to a goal from Argentine Cambiasso ruled out by referee Markus Merk. The objection consisted of bottles and debris being thrown onto the pitch and soon escalated to lit flares, one of which hit Milan keeper Dida on the shoulder, suffering first-degree burns. Therefore, the game was abandoned and Milan were awarded a 3-0 win, and the Nerazzurri fined €200,000, a UEFA record.

No.19 Bayern Munich  v Manchester United 1999 Champions League Final

Three minutes of injury time had changed the outcome of this game. Man United had played poorly in Barcelona and it seemed to be Bayern’s trophy. The Bavarian club’s ribbons had been attached onto the cup, and it was only till after Munich substituted Basler and Matthaus that United came back into the game. A scuffed Giggs shot reached Sheringham, who scored from six yards. Then came another Beckham corner as ITV commentator asked: ‘is this their moment?’ Sheringham headed the ball down and Solskjaer instinctively swung his boot at the ball and lashed it into the roof of the net with virtually the final kick of the game. Having played an effective counter-attacking game-plan and hit the woodwork a number of times, against all the odds, the Mancunians completed the infamous treble and rival fans would never hear the end of it.

No.18 AC Milan 3-3 Liverpool 2005 Champions League Final

An impossible defeat. A Milan side, who scored inside a minute, and tore Liverpool to shreds through the clever running of Kaka, the smart passing of Pirlo and the killer instinct of Crespo and Shevchenko. It should have been four, if not for a poor decision by the linesman to deny Milan a fourth before the half time whistle. Then inside a six minute period, doubts crept into Milanese minds, when Gerard scored with a looping header. Reminders of previous matches against Deportivo La Coruna and close scares against Lyon and PSV Eindhoven cropped up. Even after the score was level, now cult hero Jerzy Dudek made to awesome saves from Shevchenko in the dying moments of extra-time at point-blank range. The penalty shoot-out brought out a Grobbelaar-esque instinct in Dudek who won the cup for the Merseyside club. Milan took revenge two years later.

No.17 USA 1-0 England 1950 World Cup First Round

Dubbed ‘Miracle on Grass’, it also has a film made after it released in 2005. This defeat finally took away the English belief of superiority in the game of football, and it displayed an urgent need to change the outlook upon the English game. New styles were being developed; most were tactically and aesthetically superior. Having refused to play against countries against whom they had fought in the war previously, and arguments on bonuses amongst other things, they finally arrived in Brazil, ready to prove their dominance. Or so they hope. Gaetjens scored against in defiance to the English dominance. It was beautifully summed by victorious American footballer Harry Keough in the aftermath through, ‘Boy, I feel sorry for these bastards. How are they ever going to live down the fact we beat them?’

No.16 Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal 1989 Division One

It was the final game of the season. The situation to George Graham’s Gunners was clear. They had to win by two clear goals. For Liverpool defeat was unthinkable and not a possibility against an Arsenal side with a defeat and a draw in their previous two home games. Enter Michael Thomas. Arsenal was leading by a goal through Alan Smith. Appeals of offside were waved away, and the final seconds are remembered by Brian Moore’s commentary: ‘Thomas, charging through the midfield… it’s up for grabs now… Thomas, right at the end!’ Liverpool had lost in unbelievable circumstances.

Philippe Auclair recently claimed in an interview with Gooner Talk that UEFA president gives him ‘the mental equivalent of a nappy rash’. The music producer-turned-football journalist voiced an opinion as to what most think. The outspoken Frenchman he referred to has an altruistic view of the world’s biggest sport and has the power to make his vision come true. But are his ideals totally driven by this pure vision or is there a monetary reason behind the dream? Will he ‘kill’ football as he accuses others of doing so?

His idea of increasing the number of teams in the UEFA European Championships from 16 to 24 can only be described as baffling. Having witnessed one of the finest footballing spectacles in recent years, Platini decided to increase the number of sides in the competition. Most fans realise the World Cup lacks the quality of a smaller tournament, with mediocre sides qualifying for the 32 man finals. These teams adopt a defensive mentality and lower the quality of attacking football. Therefore why allow these sides an easier path to the biggest stage?

It would be more difficult to find a host which would support an even greater number of sides for a few weeks in the summer. If the idea is to rejuvenate poorer countries such as Poland and the Ukraine, it isn’t working. These sides formerly of the Soviet bloc are struggling to have the infrastructure in place for sixteen sides in time for 2012, so how could they do so for twenty four teams? Obviously, a larger number of sides mean more matches, and so more revenue from television and tickets. Not to mention the amount of advertising and business partners UEFA accumulates when the time of the main event arrives.

This money-motivated agenda continued with Platini announcing a new format for the second tier European club competition. The UEFA Cup is already bloated despite Platini’s assurances:

 “The new format will give the UEFA Europa League a successful new impetus”

Most realise that this apparent urge to give more fans a taste of European club football is just a ploy to gather more money by the executives at UEFA. The recent Champions League final included Manchester United and Chelsea, whereas the UEFA Cup involved Glasgow Rangers and Zenit St. Petersburg. Which game do you think had the bigger draw?

UEFA can rebrand the tournament as many times as they like, but the fact remains the same. It will remain a second tier competition as long as the Champions League exists. After these business-based actions, Platini has no leg to stand on in criticising Arsene Wenger for a similar attitude. The long-serving Arsenal boss was attacked by his countryman who seemed to be on an agenda. The hypocritical UEFA president spoke of Wenger only wanting:

“To talk about football, he (Wenger) only cares about business. We must shut up with Wenger and everything. He is an extremely selfish person.”

How ironic considering his recent actions to make UEFA even wealthier. The Euro 1984 winner was a wonderful playmaker but as a politician he is fast losing his highly esteemed reputation.