7 Most dominant European teams that didn't win the treble
Winning a treble of any sort is a great achievement to be lauded, indeed.For many teams, silverware is to be celebrated with the utmost joy and jubilation after a long season of hard work and dedication but sometimes there can be those who come so close to achieving something extra that their accomplishments lose some of that special shine.Having the Champions League trophy or Europa League crown slip away from one's grasp at the final hurdle can certainly do just that. Sotoo, can the pain of seeing a league title or domestic cup fade from view.Combining a couple of domestic accolades with a European honour is the pinnacle of clubsuccessbecause it underlines a teams ability to mix it with the best on a variety of fronts. Going from facing non-league opponents in one week (often the most slippery ofbanana skins) to tackling a world-class opponents in the semi-final of a European competition certainly tests one's reservoirs.Only seven teams have managed to win the genuine Champions League treble in Europe (with Barcelona managing it twice), although as many as 12 have completed the feat. when one includes the UEFA Cup/Europa League in place of its more illustrious sister.But what about those who have come so close but yet so far? Who are the most dominant teams who failed to win the so-called continental treble? Let's take a look, in chronological order.
#1 Nottingham Forest 1978/79
Brian Clough has long been a fan favourite of the Tricky Trees and his methods and madness have often found support much farther afield, too.
Before he became a cult hero associated with clever one-liners and heated run-ins with the press, however, he was simply a man who was great at his job leading from the dugout and instructing on the training ground, a notion unrefutable by the fact he helped Nottingham Forest become the best team in Europe nearly 40 years ago.
Winning the European Cup final against Malmo FF as well as taking home the League Cup (and also the Charity Shield) he helped them to their most successful season ever. The proper treble evaded them, though, as they sat as the runners-up in the old First Division table at the end of the season, trailing in the wake of Liverpool.
With a sound squad, consisting of Peter Shilton, Gary Birtles, Viv Anderson and Trevor Francis – Britain's first £1 million man – the Reds toiled hard to discard their tag as provincial underdogs to become the best side in England and on the continent by playing some defensively secure, and offensively clinical, football match after match.
Time will always fondly remember this side, but they fell short of joining an elite club of treble-masters.