Top 10 national derby knockout ties in the Champions League

These teams brought domestic rivalries to European football's biggest stage and left us with classics to remember. 

With the last international break of the season over and done with the focus has now shifted again to club football. The UEFA Champions League drama is about to unfold again as the quarterfinals are just a few days away. The biggest club competition in Europe pits top clubs from different leagues against each other and has witnessed a lot of action-packed matches between these clubs but we rarely see a tie between clubs from the same country in a season.

So, on the eve of the clash of English rivals Liverpool and Manchester City Khel Now presents 10 such lively matches where clubs from the same nation fought hard to get one step closer to glory.

1. Borussia Dortmund Vs Bayern Munich - 1997-98 Quarterfinal (aggregate: 1-0) 

The Der Klassiker of season 1997-98 in the Champions League was the first ever tie between clubs of the same nation in the UCL era. The first leg was played at Bayern's home and was a boring stalemate as no team found the net.

In the second leg, Dortmund finally broke the deadlock in the 109th minute as  Stephane Chapuisat sent a strong left-footed shot past Oliver Kahn. Chapuisat's goal turned out to be the difference between the two sides and helped Dortmund to win the tie as well as win the most important Der Klassiker of the season.

2. Inter Milan Vs AC Milan - 2002-03 Semi-Final (aggregate: 1-1) 

Watch: Inter Milan 1-1 AC Milan highlights

The Italian giants Internazionale and AC Milan were pitted against each other in the season's Champions League semi-final. Both the teams share the same ground. Thus, it was a bit confusing how the away goal rule will play its part in the tie. The first leg at San Siro was considered as the home game for Milan which ended in a 0-0 draw as both the teams showcased typical Italian tactical football.

AC Milan went on to play the final after beating Inter on away goals with technically both teams playing at their home. The game, overshadowed by defensive tactics was sparked into life after Andriy Shevchenko drilled a neat finish past Francesco Toldo. Inter grabbed a late equaliser through Obafemi Martins as the striker quickly responded to the slight error of judgement from Paolo Maldini in the defence. The match ended in a 1-1 draw and Milan advanced to final.

3. Chelsea Vs Arsenal - 2003-04 Quarterfinal (aggregate: 3-2)

The first leg at Stamford Bridge ended 1-1 with Arsenal having the advantage of an away goal. Eidur Gudjhonsen's second half opener was quickly matched by Arsenal's Robert Pires.

However, the second leg was filled with much more drama. Both teams cancelled out each other's attacks very well as no goal was scored till the 45-minute mark. Jose Antonio Reyes finally opened the goal tally on the night in first half injury-time swinging the tie (agg) 2-1 in Arsenal's favour.

The lead did not last too long as Frank Lampard scored a stunning 25-yard goal to draw level just five minutes after Reyes's goal. With the tie poised at 2-2, both teams changed to the defensive approaches. It was Chelsea who had the last laugh as Wayne Bridge scored a thumping left-footed volley to ensure they progress to the semi-final.

4. Manchester United Vs Chelsea - 2007-08 Final (Final score-1-1 (6-5 on penalties))

Watch: Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea highlights

The final of the 2007-08 season was the first ever all-English final in the history of Champions League. Cristiano Ronaldo was the one who opened the goal tally heading a beautiful cross from Wes Brown into the net. The lead could not last long enough as Chelsea's main man Lampard scored the equaliser just before half-time. Chelsea attacked continuously in the second half, but United managed to contain all the attacks easily. The night saw no further goals as the match headed to penalties

Carlos Tevez scored the first one for United followed by Michael Ballack who easily equalised sending a powerful kick past the United keeper. Michael Carrick, as well as Juliano Belletti both scored their spot-kicks as the scoreline read 2-2 in the shootout. The first miss of the night came from Ronaldo who's shot was easily saved by Petr Cech.

Lampard scored the third for Chelsea handing them a 2-3 lead. Owen Hargreaves, Ashley Cole and Nani scored on their turns with the score now 4-4 with a kick left for Chelsea. Captain John Terry stepped up to take the decisive penalty and made a complete mess out of it as he lost his footing in the run-up and sent the ball outside the post, thus handing United a lifeline.

Anderson and Salomon Kalou both scored for their respective teams. Ryan Giggs scored on his turn making the scoreline 6-5 in United's favour. Nicolas Anelka's penalty was beautifully saved by Edwin van der Sar helping the Red Devils win only their second Champions League trophy.

5. Arsenal Vs Liverpool - 2007-08 Quarterfinal (aggregate: 3-5)

The first leg of the tie ended 1-1 at Emirates Stadium. Emanuel Adebayor opened the scoring for Arsenal with just 23 minutes played. Minutes later, the Reds levelled the score as Dirk Kuyt easily tapped in a beautiful pass from Steven Gerrard.

Arsenal came out all guns blazing in the second leg as they scored an important away goal through Abou Diaby early in the match. Liverpool levelled the scoreline a few minutes later as poor marking from the Gunners helped Sami Hypia to easily head the ball into the net. The match stayed 1-1 at the half-time. Fernando Torres put Liverpool into the lead in the 70th minute.

But, Theo Walcott's beautiful run through the Reds' defence helped Adebayor to finish a stunning move and hand Arsenal a lifeline as the tie swung back in the Gunners' favour with an aggregate scoreline of 3-3 and an away goal advantage. However, Kolo Toure conceded a silly penalty with four minutes left to play. which was easily converted by Gerrard. The match was rounded off by another Liverpool goal scored by Ryan Babel.

Also Read

Top 10 European transfers in this January window

Top 5 players who could replace Arjen Robben at Bayern Munich

Spending a billion to play like this? Why Manchester United are not progressing under Jose Mourinho

6. Chelsea Vs Liverpool - 2007-08 Semi-Final (aggregate: 4-3)

Watch: Chelsea 3-2 Liverpool highlights

The first leg of the tie which was played at Anfield ended in a 1-1 draw. Kuyt drew first blood for the home side just minutes before the half-time break. The match was all set to end in favour of the Reds before an injury-time own goal from John Arne Riise gave an away goal advantage to the Blues.

The Stamford Bridge leg was a neck-and neck battle between the two sides. Didier Drogba opened the scoring, drilling a sensational strike past Pepe Reina. Torres restored parity after scoring a stunning solo goal. Lampard scored Chelsea's second of the night eight minutes into extra-time. Moments later Drogba drilled in another sensational goal swinging the tie completely in Chelsea's favour.

Liverpool who were putting every ounce of their energy in attack produced late drama as Babel scored from a magnificent strike with three more minutes left to play. However, Chelsea managed to hold on and won the tie 4-3 on aggregate, thus sailing into the final.

7. Chelsea Vs Liverpool - 2008-09 Quarterfinal (aggregate: 7-5)

Torres's early goal was quickly cancelled out by Branislav Ivanovic. The Serbian scored his second of the night to make the score 2-1 at half-time. Drogba's second half goal inclined the tie completely in favour of the Blues who left Anfield with three crucial away goals.

It was the Stamford Bridge leg which made this tie an epic one. Liverpool started the game with flying colours scoring two goals in the first 30 minutes. Chelsea who battled hard throughout the first half were finally rewarded as Reina fumbled a sumptuous strike from Drogba into his own net.

Minutes later Alex scored a stunning free-kick to make the game all square. Lampard scored the third goal of the night for Chelsea snatching the tie completely away from the Reds with the aggregate scoreline standing at 6-3. However, two quick goals from Lucas Leiva and Kuyt turned the tie on its head with the Reds leading 4-3. But, Lampard's 89th minute goal left Liverpool in absolute despair. 

8. Bayern Munich Vs Borussia Dortmund 2012-13 Final (Final score: 2-1)

Watch: Bayern Munich 2-1 Borussia Dortmund highlights

The 2012-13 Champions League final at Wembley was the first ever all-German final between Bayern and Dortmund. Mario Mandzukic opened the goal tally on the night sending a left-footed shot past Marcel Schmelzer. Minutes later Dante conceded a penalty in an attempt to clear a high ball with his foot which eventually hit Marco Reus in the stomach.

Ilkay Gundogan held his nerve and converted from the spot sending Neuer to the wrong side to make it all square. The match was all set to head into extra-time before Arjen Robben scored a dramatic goal from Franck Ribery's clever backpass in the Dortmund box in the 89th minute, sealing the game as well as well as their second Champions League title for the Bavarian side.

9. Real Madrid Vs Atletico Madrid - 2013-14 Final (Final score: 4-1)

Atletico had the worst start to the game as their star talismanic striker Diego Costa was forced to leave the field because of an injury. However, they opened the scoring after poor clearance of a corner from Real's defence allowed Juanfran to loop the ball to fellow defender Diego Godin who made no mistake in heading it over a clueless Iker Casillas. Atletico did well to contain their opponents' quick attack throughout the match.

The game was all set to bring joy to Atletico fans before Real's captain Sergio Ramos added late drama. Luka Modric's beautiful cross was met perfectly by the defender and headed a pinpoint shot into the net. Ramos' late equaliser took the game into extra-time as well as far away from Atletico. Real Madrid scored three sumptuous goals in the added 30 minutes with Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Ronaldo all grabbing one each.

10. Barcelona Vs Atletico Madrid 2015-16 Quarterfinal (aggregate: 2-3) 

Watch: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Barcelona highlights

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

The second leg began with Barcelona leading 2-1 on aggregate after Torres' first half goal was cancelled out by Luis Suarez's late second half brace in the first leg at Camp Nou.

Antoine Griezmann scored the first goal of the Vincente Calderon leg just after the 30-minute mark. The tie was inclined in favour of Atletico who were leading it on away goals before last-minute drama ensured. Andres Iniesta conceded a late penalty as he handled Filipe Luis' pass. Griezmann kept his cool and sent the ball past Marc-Andre ter Stegen ensuring the win for the Madrid-based side.