When Bayern Munich and Inter Milan battle it out in tomorrow’s Champions League final, not only will they be fighting for Europe’s top prize, but will also be aiming to complete an historic treble. Both Bayern and Inter have already won their league and domestic cup, and clinching the Champions League would mean adding their names to an exclusive group of treble winners. Whoever wins, it will be a first for the country they hail from.
Five teams have completed the ‘perfect’ treble - winning the league, main domestic cup and the most prestigious European cup all in one season. These five clubs are:
THE PERFECT TREBLE
CELTIC, 1967
Scottish Football League, Scottish Cup, European Cup
Celtic became the fi rst British team to win the European Cup after they beat Inter Milan in the final. As well as the two most prestigious domestic trophies, they also picked up the League Cup and Glasgow Cup as they swept aside all before them.
AJAX, 1972
Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, European Cup
Holland’s most successful club won the European Cup for three consecutive years between 1971-73. Yet it was the 1972 win over Inter Milan that was the most special as Johan Cruyff inspired his side to both domestic trophies as well.
PSV EINDHOVEN, 1988
Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, European Cup
The next side to complete the ‘perfect’ treble also came from Holland. The Boeren of Eindhoven beat Benfica in the final to etch their name into history. Guus Hiddink’s side needed penalties to complete the feat.
MANCHESTER UNITED, 1999
Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League
Alex Ferguson’s team had a rollercoaster of a ride to the treble. A memorable FA Cup semifinal against Arsenal saw the dream nearly ended, while it needed two very late goals against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final to complete the final piece of the jigsaw.
BARCELONA, 2009,
La Liga, Copa del Rey, Champions League
Barcelona looked unstoppable last season, and they proved it by winning everything in sight. Pep Guardiola’s side outclassed Manchester United in the Champions League final.
Scottish Football League, Scottish Cup, European Cup
Celtic became the fi rst British team to win the European Cup after they beat Inter Milan in the final. As well as the two most prestigious domestic trophies, they also picked up the League Cup and Glasgow Cup as they swept aside all before them.
AJAX, 1972
Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, European Cup
Holland’s most successful club won the European Cup for three consecutive years between 1971-73. Yet it was the 1972 win over Inter Milan that was the most special as Johan Cruyff inspired his side to both domestic trophies as well.
PSV EINDHOVEN, 1988
Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, European Cup
The next side to complete the ‘perfect’ treble also came from Holland. The Boeren of Eindhoven beat Benfica in the final to etch their name into history. Guus Hiddink’s side needed penalties to complete the feat.
MANCHESTER UNITED, 1999
Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League
Alex Ferguson’s team had a rollercoaster of a ride to the treble. A memorable FA Cup semifinal against Arsenal saw the dream nearly ended, while it needed two very late goals against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final to complete the final piece of the jigsaw.
BARCELONA, 2009,
La Liga, Copa del Rey, Champions League
Barcelona looked unstoppable last season, and they proved it by winning everything in sight. Pep Guardiola’s side outclassed Manchester United in the Champions League final.
Will it be Bayern or Inter this season?
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