Teams that conceded least goals in a Champions League season

In football, defence is often said to win championships. While it’s true that scoring goals is necessary to win games, preventing the opposition from scoring is just as important. The UEFA Champions League is one of the most prestigious club competitions in the world, and every season, teams strive to concede the least number of goals possible. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the teams that have achieved this feat in the past.

AC Milan

One of the most impressive defensive performances in Champions League history was put in by AC Milan in the 1993-94 season. The Italian giants conceded just four goals in 12 matches on their way to lifting the trophy. With the likes of Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini in their backline, Milan’s defence was nearly impenetrable. They kept six clean sheets and allowed just one goal in each of the other six matches. Their defensive record in that season remains unmatched to this day.

Manchester United

Another team that conceded very few goals in a Champions League season was Manchester United in the 2007-08 campaign. The Red Devils conceded just six goals in 13 matches en route to winning their third European Cup. Led by the defensive duo of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, United kept nine clean sheets and conceded more than one goal in a single game only once. Their solid defence was a major factor in their success that season.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid is another team that has boasted a formidable defence in the Champions League. In the 2017-18 season, the Spanish giants conceded just two goals in their first eight matches, before letting in two more in the final against Liverpool. They finished the campaign with four goals against in 13 games, the joint second-best record in the competition’s history. Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane formed a solid partnership at the heart of the defence, while goalkeeper Keylor Navas also played a crucial role in their defensive success.

Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich is another team that has been known for their defensive prowess in the Champions League. In the 2012-13 season, the German giants conceded just seven goals in 13 matches on their way to lifting the trophy. Led by the likes of Philipp Lahm and Dante, Bayern kept a remarkable nine clean sheets and conceded more than one goal in a game only twice. Their solid defence played a major role in their impressive campaign that season.

Chelsea

More recently, Chelsea achieved a remarkable defensive record in the 2020-21 season. Under the guidance of manager Thomas Tuchel, the Blues conceded just four goals in 13 matches en route to winning their second Champions League trophy. They kept nine clean sheets and conceded more than one goal in a game only once. Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger, and Cesar Azpilicueta formed a solid back three that proved difficult to breach for even the best-attacking teams in Europe.

Conclusion

A solid defence is crucial for success in the Champions League. The teams that have conceded the least number of goals in a single season have often gone on to lift the trophy, demonstrating the importance of a strong defensive unit. While individual defensive talent is important, it is often the collective effort of the team that leads to a solid defence. As we look forward to future Champions League campaigns, it will be interesting to see which teams can replicate the defensive performances of these great teams of the past.

Also Read: Which are the greatest mid-fielder and forward partnerships in football?

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