The UEFA Champions League 2003/04 was a season unlike any other. Whether it be underdogs prevailing, established forces stumbling, or the fairytale of one of Europe’s less heralded clubs, this season has been filled with all that makes football consistently unpredictable and thereby provides such temptation to its attraction. Justsports24 has rounded up the action that makes this version one of the memorable matches, and stand-out performances of 2018/19 season-defining moments so far in the premier club competition in Europe.
Group Stage: Best and Worst
The group stage opened the UEFA Champions League 2003/04, where 32 teams were drawn into eight groups competing for knockout football. When the Champions League draw was made, it looked like Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Juventus were all given a straight path through, but as the tournament has expanded, there have been a few enormous clubs who emerged as surprise contenders.
Deportivo La Coruña and Monaco made it to the first knockout stage from Group D, ahead of PSV Eindhoven and AEK Athens. Among Monaco, who were coached by Deschamps at the time, there was a host of players that shone to great effect in their run, with Ludovic Giuly and Fernando Morientes key men throughout. That led to a great group-stage finale, won by Deportivo with its well-oiled crew, and an equally exciting knockout phase for both sides.
The minnows rise to the top
Looking back: in the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League 2003/04, we saw just about as dramatic a storyline as you can get. Although many believed the perennial contenders would advance far, hearing Monaco and FC Porto as darlings of the big tournament was indeed special.
FC Porto, coached by the tactical genius José Mourinho, advanced out of the group stage and knocked Manchester United out in the first knockout round 16 A Jeles este 2-1 utáni hazai győzelem (és h. i. esac): Old Traffordon 1-1-re végzett a Porto (Costinha az előnygól, namely neck kvartivaladóra jutást ért) This game was the turning point in Mourinho’s career, and proved he is one of the best tactical managers in the world.
Quarter-Final: The Giant-Killers Roll On
Both nature and logic were defied in the quarters as Monaco and Porto fuckin’ or something. Running into a similarly rejuvenated team in the form of Chelsea (now reinforced by the Russian billions) and Claudio Ranieri, Monaco fell short against the Englishmen. Chelsea was chaired by a pretty strong side too, featuring the likes of Frank Lampard and John Terry, but they could hardly fathom attacking play from Monaco. Again, Giuly and Morientes were influential as Monaco went through 5-3 (on aggregate).
Young European prospects clashed with FC Porto facing Lyon Tactically disciplined and defensively rock-solid, José Mourinho’s Porto overcame Lyon with a 4-2 aggregate score to reach the last four. Lyon never really threatened against a solid Porto defense, and the Portuguese side remained impressive at the back while looking dangerous on the counter.
Another quarterfinal saw one of the most memorable comebacks in UEFA Champions League 2003/04, history as Deportivo La Coruña took on AC Milan. Deportivo pulled off one of the most remarkable comebacks in European football history when, despite losing 4-1 to AC Milan at San Siro in the first leg, they shocked the football world by winning 4-0 in the second leg at the Riazor to go through on aggregate. Walter Pandiani and Fran were some of the names that did more than anyone else to drag themselves into Deportivo legend, rolling over the holders in what is still one of those unforgettable nights.
semi-finals
The semifinals were contested between unlikely teams, which paved the way for an epic concluding chapter. In that subsequent stage, Monaco went up against Deportivo La Coruña and so did Porto with Chelsea — the team Monaco knocked out of the tournament.
The French continued his stunning season in a 1-0 semi-final victory over Deportivo La coruña. And that was the tie, a close one but Giuly’s goal in the first leg won it for Monaco as they closed ranks to reach the final. It was a remarkable effort by a side few predicted would reach this stage at the outset of the tournament.
The other semifinal saw FC Porto play out their tactical supremacy under Mourinho as they knocked off Deportivo La Coruña 1-0 on aggregate. Porto took that man advantage, and just before halftime, Derlei converted a penalty following a foul by Alessandro Nesta., in an otherwise tactical battle. Porto were dragged through the group by only their ability to scratch and claw victories from tight matches, something which can only hail Mourinho as an influence.
The Final: Porto’s Triumph
The UEFA Champions League 2003/04 final between FC Porto and Monaco was an unexpected one, this was played at the Arena Auf Schalke in Gelsenkirchen. Reaching that stage was remarkable in itself for both teams, and while Monaco went into the final as underdogs with their fairytale run ancient at this point, it was Porto who turned on the style in the final.
From the off, it was clear who the dominant team would be, as Porto’s excellence in their defense and counterattacks troubled Monaco all night long. Porto took the lead to halftime through a goal by Carlos Alberto in the 39th minute, but from that point on, it was all United. Porto dominated the second period and added two more goals to secure a 3-0 win with Deco and Alenichev on target.
The last was lauded as a tactical masterclass for José Mourinho, Porto left with their second European Cup title in the club’s archive. The likes of Deco, Ricardo Carvalho, and Vítor Baía were instrumental in Porto’s success, while Mourinho skyrocketed to becoming one of the best coaches, worldwide off the back of this win.
Key Players and Moments
The 2003/04 Champions League season provided us with a wonderful display of young talent and unforgettable moments. Deco was the star for Porto in the middle of the park, as Fernando Morientes scored a competition-best nine goals to lead Monaco’s run. The likes of Giuly, Costinha, and Carlos Alberto were other impactful players for their sides.
This season, with the incredible comebacks and the rise of relative underdogs like Monaco and Porto. was one of the more unpredictable in Champions League history.
Conclusion
The surprise triumphs by underdogs ensured that the UEFA Champions League 2003/04 season will be remembered as one where anything other than the unexpected went. FC Porto went on a stunning title-winning run under the tactical genius of Jose Mourinho, the most passionate and brash Monaco side in history did just enough to earn their place in the final, captivating football fans worldwide.
Here at justsports24, we love how unpredictable the Champions League is every season due to the excitement it brings. The UEFA Champions League 2003/04 season is a prime example of the ‘football, bloody hell’ slogan we attach to this sport.
