An odd Champions League statistic

The Champions League final looms ahead. Man United will face the enormous challenge of Barcelona in the final. It will be a fantastic spectacle.

But, a random stat has occurred to me.

Since Chelsea have competed in the European Cup (they made their debut appearance in the 2003/04 season.) Every team that has knocked Chelsea out has gone on to be a finalist in that year, or even gone on to win the trophy in the season of knocking them out.

Here's the evidence.

Year	Team	Victors become Finalist or Winners?
2004	Monaco (beat Chelsea in Semi’s)	Finalist
2005	Liverpool (beat Chelsea in Semi’s)	Winners
2006	Barcelona (beat Chelsea in last 16)	Winners
2007	Liverpool (beat Chelsea in Semi’s)	Finalist
2008	Man United (beat Chelsea in Final)	Winners
2009	Barcelona (Beat Chelsea in semi’s	Winners
2010	Inter (beat Chelsea last 16)	Winners
2011	Man United (beat Chelsea in ¼’s)	??

Its insane. Every team that has knocked them out has always gone onto the final. It’s been the case since 2004.

But, here’s another interesting point. The Semi Final’s is the stage where Chelsea most commonly get knocked out. 50% of their defeats have come in the semi final. They get so close, yet they are so far away.

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