Greatest Champions League comebacks

Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Tottenham all have the odds stacked heavily in their favour heading into the second legs of their Champions League last-16 ties this week. Thomas Tuchel's Ligue 1 heavyweights crafted a commanding 2-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, with a red card for Paul Pogba compounding problems for caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who must grapple with a hefty injury list in the French capital on Wednesday.

Borussia Dortmund are faltering at the top of the Bundesliga and they were overrun at Wembley last month, with Spurs establishing a 3-0 lead to take to Signal Iduna Park. Ajax were unfortunate to end up beaten 2-1 by reigning champions Madrid in Amsterdam after a stirring performance, but two away goals mean Santiago Solari's men hold all the cards.

However, as the examples below demonstrate, things do not always pan out as you might expect in Europe's premier club competition.

Roma 3 Barcelona 0 (4-4 agg, Roma won on away goals), 2018

Eusebio Di Francesco's side are 2-1 up as they head to Porto in this week's other last-16 encounter, having reached the semi-finals last season. They did so in incredible fashion, coming back from a 4-1 first-leg deficit to defeat Barcelona on away goals after a thrilling 3-0 win in front of their home fans.

Edin Dzeko, Daniele De Rossi and Kostas Manolas secured the 4-4 aggregate draw and sent the Stadio Olimpico into raptures, as Barca, who would go on to complete a LaLiga and Copa del Rey double under Ernesto Valverde, completely fell to pieces.

Monaco 3-1 Real Madrid (5-5 agg, Monaco won on away goals), 2004

Monaco were an unexpected member of the last eight in the 2003-04 Champions League and had seemingly been put in their place after losing 4-2 at Madrid in the first leg, even if Fernando Morientes – on loan from the Spanish giants – netted their second late on to give them a chance.

A Raul goal nine minutes before the break in the return leg in Monte Carlo made their task even tougher, but Monaco rallied admirably – Ludovic Giuly pulled one back on the stroke of half-time, with Morientes then adding a second just after the restart.

Giuly – whose performances with Monaco ultimately earned him a move to Madrid's bitter rivals Barcelona – grabbed the decisive goal midway through the second half to secure progression, with Didier Deschamps' side finally halted by Porto in the final.

Barcelona 5-1 Chelsea (AET, 6-4 agg), 2000

A 3-1 first-leg loss at Stamford Bridge – having trailed 3-0 – had Barca in danger of being on the wrong end of a major 1999-00 Champions League upset prior to the Roman Abramovich era, but in the return match the Catalans showed their true class.

Tore Andre Flo's 60th-minute goal was sending Chelsea through despite Rivaldo and Luis Figo scoring before the break, but Dani Garcia netted seven minutes from the end of regulation time to force the additional period. Rivaldo then converted a penalty after Celestine Babayaro was sent off and Patrick Kluivert wrapped things up, crushing Chelsea's dreams.