Which of the last decade's Champions League runners-up was the most unfortunate? Inter Milan and Juventus both lost twice, while Atletico Madrid was just one step away from the championship. | Manchester City | Champions League final | Inter Milan |

Which of the last decade's Champions League runners-up was the most unfortunate? Inter Milan and Juventus both lost twice, while Atletico Madrid was just one step away from winning the title. 

In the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League, the French league champion Paris Saint-Germain finally achieved the championship as they had wished, making up for the disappointment of losing to Bayern Munich in the 2019-20 Champions League final. Meanwhile, the final opponent of Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, won the Champions League twice within three years, filled with frustration and helplessness. Looking back at the Champions League matches in the past decade, teams such as Inter Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Liverpool have all reached the final multiple times. Some were happy while others were sad. Real Madrid achieved three consecutive Champions League titles during this period, achieving 15 Champions League victories in the team's history. Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain also won their first league titles during this period. However, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, and Inter Milan became representatives of those who were disappointed. Although they reached the final, they ultimately failed to lift the championship trophy. 

In the last ten seasons of the Champions League, Liverpool has reached the final three times. Although they lost to Real Madrid twice in the finals, in the 2018-19 season they finally won the Champions League, achieving their sixth trophy in the history of the club. Had Liverpool not won the championship in the 2018-19 season, they would have been the most unfortunate Champions League runner-up in this decade. However, the timely arrival of the Champions League title soothed the hearts of the Liverpool fans. In the 2017-18 Champions League, Liverpool eliminated Roma in the semi-finals and returned to the Champions League final after many years. In this Champions League final, the Liverpool team dared not look back and attempted to become an obstacle on the way to Real Madrid's third consecutive title. However, Salah's injury and departure, as well as Carruesus' low-level mistake, became the turning point of the final. Eventually, Liverpool lost 1-3 in the final and watched Real Madrid achieve their third consecutive title. Fortunately, Liverpool successfully won the championship in the next season, allowing the fans to forget this final defeat. In the 2021-22 season, Liverpool once again met Real Madrid in the Champions League final. Despite having the advantage throughout the game, Liverpool lost 0-1, once again losing to Real Madrid, which made the fans feel very regretful. 

Juventus 

Juventus can be regarded as the most unlucky team in the history of the Champions League. They have reached the final of the Champions League 9 times in their history, but lost in the final 7 times and only won 2 Champions League trophies. The last time Juventus won the Champions League was in the 1995-96 season. In the past 10 years, Juventus has also reached the final twice, but both times they ended up losing. In the 2014-15 Champions League, Juventus successively eliminated Dortmund, Monaco and the defending champion Real Madrid in the knockout stage. After a long time, it finally reached the Champions League final. However, facing Barcelona with the MSN trio, Juventus lost early in the final. Although they equalized in the second half, the team still lost 1-3 to Barcelona and watched the opponent ascend to the top of Europe. In the 2016-17 season, Juventus made a comeback in the Champions League. They completed revenge in the knockout stage and eliminated Barcelona in the quarter-finals. Then they smoothly advanced to the final and faced the defending champion Real Madrid. In the first half, they were tied 1-1 with the opponent. In the second half, Real Madrid suddenly stepped up and scored three goals, causing Juventus to lose 1-4 in the final and once again missed out on the championship. The consecutive defeats in the Champions League finals have become the unspeakable pain of the team. 

Inter Milan 

Inter Milan last won the Champions League in the 2009-10 season. During that season, under the leadership of Mourinho, the blue and black team became the first Italian team to win the treble. After Mourinho left, it wasn't until the arrival of Small Inzaghi that Inter Milan made it to the Champions League final again, and it was in three consecutive years that they reached the final twice. However, both of their Champions League final trips ended in defeat, and they watched two new Champions League kings ascend to the throne. Inter Milan has been absent from the Champions League trophy for over a decade. In the 2022-23 season, the Inter Milan led by Small Inzaghi eliminated Porto and Benfica in the Champions League knockout stage and won 3-0 in the two-legged semi-final against the local rival AC Milan. After many years, Inter Milan finally made it to the Champions League final. Facing the Premier League champion Manchester City in the Champions League final, Inter Milan was the more dominant team, but the long-range shot goal by World Cup midfielder Rodri in the second half broke the deadlock. And ultimately, Manchester City won the final with this goal, claiming their first Champions League title in the team's history. Inter Milan had to accept the reality of defeat. In the 2024-25 season, similar to the previous year, Inter Milan defeated Bayern and Barcelona to advance to the Champions League final. Facing Paris Saint-Germain, who had never won the Champions League, Inter Milan suffered a 0-5 defeat. In three consecutive years, Inter Milan lost the Champions League final twice. The legendary coach Small Inzaghi thus left. 

Atlético Madrid 

Atletico Madrid has reached the Champions League final three times in its history, but it has yet to win its first Champions League title. In the 2013-14 season, they were almost leading the entire game in the Champions League final, but were eventually levelled by a header from Ramos in the final stoppage time and lost the game regretfully. In the 2015-16 season, Atletico Madrid returned to the Champions League, and the Maroon Army defeated Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the knockout stage. They reached the final twice within three years. This time, the final once again featured a Madrid derby. Atletico Madrid was looking forward to avenging its past defeats. However, the result of the game did not satisfy the fans of Atletico Madrid. They fought hard against Real Madrid for 120 minutes, but ended up drawing 1-1. They had to go through a brutal penalty shootout. Juanfran missed the penalty, and Atletico Madrid lost the penalty shootout 3-5. Once again, Atletico Madrid was defeated by its city rival in the Champions League final, and missed out on the big cup. With two consecutive losses in the finals, Atletico Madrid was just one step away from the championship, but it was so close yet so far from achieving its first Champions League title.