My nominations:
2018-2019: Probably the best for me; Liverpool’'s tight escape from the group stage and then the Anfield comeback. Tottenham’s tie with City and then coming back against Ajax. Ajax devouring Real fearlessly. Only thing weak was that boring final.
2009-2010: This one had absolute bangers; Man Utd vs Milan and Man Utd vs Bayern were the absolute standouts. Inter’s journey was pretty badass as well, especially against Barcelona. Seeing Jose eating Pep like that was pretty special.
2011-2012: Chelsea’s journey was even more badass considering they were in such a messy season. Also, Bayern somehow knocking out one of the greatest Real sides to ever exist. And Chelsea dispatching Messi in his best year. Plus, the final was amazing.
2021-2022: I would include this one because it was hilarious; Ancelotti dropping his eyebrow and his side would automatically pull the most unlikely comeback to ever exist. Also, Villareal’s deep run was pretty amazing, absolute giant slayers.
2003-2004: This one, I admit that I was to young to remember but damn!! Porto and Deportivo knocking out those absolute monster squads that Man Utd and Milan had. Also, Monaco was fire, and coupled with the fact that Greece won the Euros that year, I think it’s safe to say that 2004 was the year of the underdogs.
2011-2012
2017/18 - genuinely crazy good for multiple reasons.
2021/22 - crazy run, crazy games, amazing storylines
2014/15 - I think people undervalue how dominant that barca team felt. The first game against bayern and the game in paris are two of the best matches I’ve seen with some of the best football ever played. And even the juve run was CRAZY
Istanbul is wonderful.
I’ll always have to go 99, United in a group that contained Barca & Bayern then had to get through Inter and Juve then Bayern again without Scholes and Keane.
This was when only top 2 teams were allowed as well
99 was the best season for me, loads of exciting games. 92 was probably second. 2004 also very good, then 2005 with Liverpool’s Istanbul comeback. Then fifth 2019
That 18/19 final was such a let down after both teams amazing runs.
As a spurs fans it will always be such a bitter end to loss a game basically on a handball technicality.
I just wish we hadn’t started basically started 1-0 down
1999 when eventually United would beat Bayern (2-1). I hate United but man that was such a fun year for the champions league.
2019/20 was insane, Bayern steam rolling the whole of Europe, 2021/22 was my favourite due to the sheer unbelievability of Real’s remondatas. ¡Hala Madrid!
LFC fan here, it was literally a hell ride for us, dreamy .
Mid 90s Ajax was magnificent and it was a great season imo. Sad they didn’t pull it off again in 2019.
2012/2013
2004 for me. The best format, teams from outside the richest leagues still had a chance. Four surprise teams in the semi-final, lots of classic matches (Chelsea-Arsenal, Depor-Milan, Monaco-Madrid - plus those mad Inter-Arsenal games in the group and the game you mentioned between Monaco & Depor).
Then you have Greece winning a brilliant Euros that summer. Plus Bremen, Valencia winning league titles. What a time
I lean more towards the late 2000s seasons but yeah thinking about it 2018/2019 is probably the overall best champions league season I’ve ever seen for the ‘neutral’ fan.
The group stage was chaotic. RO16, Quarters & Semis all delivered incredible memorable moments, games and performances.
As you said, only thing that sucked was the final ironically. Liverpool was the rightful winner of the tournament but it would’ve just been that cherry on top if the last game was also awesome.
Had they faced say Ajax (who should’ve made it tbh). If the brackets changed Barca or Man City would’ve been great finalists against Liverpool as well.
2018/19. You mention only the semi-finals but the whole of the knockout stage was comeback after comeback after comeback.
In the RO16 Ajax pulled a comeback on Real Madrid, Ronaldo scored a hat trick against Atleti, Man U won to PSG at the very last minute.
In the QF Ajax won to Juve and Spurs dumped MAN CITY out of the competition
Both comebacks in the semifinals are legendary and still talked about
And the final yeah whatever
2018/19 just because of semis and 2021/22 because we all know why 💪