Final of the underdogs in 2003/04: When Porto won the UCL against Monaco

The Champions League final in 2003/04 was certainly not the most spectacular or most exciting game for the prestigious trophy. In exchange, it delivered a winner, which very few people expected to lift the cup in the end – although that would have probably applied to both finalists. Admittedly, FC Porto as well as AS Monaco had highly talented players in their ranks, but were clearly overshadowed by European top clubs, such as Real Madrid, AC Milan or Arsenal, who lifted the Premier League trophy in the same season – unbeaten after 38 matches.

UCL final 2003/04 Line-ups, goals and cards Click here for match report That the Portuguese emerged as 3-0 (1-0) winners in the end, was mainly down to José Mourinho’s tactical master stroke, before he left Porto for his first spell at Chelsea in the following season. His move to Chelsea, he only announced after his return to Portugal, despite rumours gathered pace even before. “I didn’t want to betray the club at the sweetest moment,” he later explained.

Porto took the lead through a lovely Carlos Alberto volley in the 39th minute. The then 19-year-old failed to leave a major impact in Europe thereafter, however. In the second half, Deco (71st minute), who moved on to Barcelona afterwards, and Dmitri Alenichev (75th minute) sealed the win.

Monaco, for whom Patrice Evra and Fernando Morientes started among others, failed to leave an impact on the attack for most of the game. This was also down to the early injury, picked up by playmaker Ludovic Giuly, who left the pitch for Dado Prso after only 23 minutes. The Frenchman sought for greener pastures at Barcelona as well after the final and won the Champions League two years later.