20 years ago today
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In everyday language, an underdog can be a team that is not believed to achieve anything specific. If it is the biggest title at club level, the minimal chance is likely to be even lower. Nevertheless, exactly 20 years ago to the day, FC Porto managed the feat of winning the Champions League as a complete underdog. Transfermarkt looks back at how coach José Mourinho and players like Deco, Ricardo Carvalho and the later Bremen transfer flop Carlos Alberto managed this.
“The victory is also a breath of fresh air in a world of football ruled by the god of money,” wrote the Portuguese newspaper “A Bola” about the Dragons’ Champions League success. Both FC Porto and the other finalist AS Monaco had highly talented players in their ranks, but were in the shadow of top European clubs such as Real Madrid, AC Milan and the English champions Arsenal, who were unbeaten in the same season. The 2004 Champions League final was by no means the most spectacular or exciting final for the trophy, but it produced a winner that no one would have expected at the start of the season.
After two group matches, it didn’t even look like Porto would advance: a draw at Partizan and a loss to Real Madrid. After that, however, Porto remained unbeaten, winning three and drawing one of their last four matches. Second with eleven points, they went into the round of 16, where Manchester United, coached by Sir Alex Ferguson and well-known players such as Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, were waiting. The English team, who had won the Champions League five years previously, were undoubtedly the favourites, but Porto had already surprised everyone with a 2-1 home win in the first leg. Benni McCarthy (29th/79th) turned the game around after Quinton Fortune had taken the lead in the 14th minute.
Porto’s miracle at Old Trafford: “The task seemed impossible”
In the return match at Old Trafford, a miracle was needed, as Scholes (32′) scored to make it 1-0, and the Red Devils would have advanced to the next round thanks to the away goals rule – but then the 90th minute arrived. “The task seemed almost impossible. It was difficult to believe in a positive outcome,” says TM user and Porto fan Luis de Carvalho (“pipOx”), who watched the Champions League games with his parents on TV at the time. “But even in a moment like that, you still had faith that Porto could pull through and pull off a miracle.”
McCarthy curled a free kick towards Tim Howard’s goal, the goalkeeper let the ball drop, Costinha reacted quickest and put the ball in the net. After that, Porto couldn’t be stopped, and Mourinho also sprinted towards the cheering crowd at the corner flag. “In the end, it was the belief in the impossible that helped Porto to win. The game showed that anything is possible in football,” said de Carvalho. He described Costinha’s goal as “paving the way for later success” and also as “a sign of the team’s determination.”
The Portuguese newspaper “O Jogo” wrote about the Champions League triumph that Porto had exceeded itself. “As a modest team whose players no one has ever described as galactic, FC Porto has taught everyone a lesson,” said “A Bola”. The father of the success was Mourinho, who joined FC Porto in January 2002 and led the club to a treble of league, cup and UEFA Cup the following year. The double of Champions League and another league title followed in 2004. Mourinho chose his own style then, as he does now. “Porto’s games under Mourinho were often characterized by a solid defense, quick counterattacks and very efficient tactics going forward,” says Porto fan de Carvalho.
Porto were able to control games and get results by following Mourinho’s tactical plan and showing commitment on the pitch. “These attributes were crucial to Porto’s success in the Champions League, they reflect Mourinho’s philosophy: work hard and act as a unit to win,” says de Carvalho.
FC Portos: Deco’s influence “reached far beyond the statistics”
In the squad, Mourinho could rely on the later world-class players Deco and Carvalho, as well as on Maniche (between 2009 and 2010 at 1. FC Köln) and Paulo Ferreira, who became major players in the Portuguese national team over the course of their careers. Carlos Alberto, who would later become a million-dollar misunderstanding at SV Werder Bremen, was also part of the team – he scored his only Champions League goal in the final against Monaco (3-0). “The breadth and quality of the squad were crucial to Porto being able to push themselves to the limit in all three competitions. Every player was ready to take on the role assigned to him and was there when he was needed. The successful combination of a strong squad, a winning mentality, tactical sophistication and clever planning enabled Porto to make the season so successful,” says TM user de Carvalho.
Deco in particular was a key figure. The playmaker contributed two goals and ten assists in the Champions League and was also named European Footballer of the Year. “He pulled the strings in midfield, dictated the tempo of the game. His ability to keep the ball, play precise passes and create decisive moments made him an indispensable part of the team. In addition, he brought his experience and deep understanding of the game to guide and inspire the younger professionals. His influence went far beyond the statistics and contributed significantly to Porto’s success,” emphasises de Carvalho.
In the quarter-finals, Porto faced Olympique Lyon and once again a win (2-0) in the first leg at home was followed by a draw (1-1) in the second away match. After that, Porto was also helped by the fact that the top clubs and usual contenders for the trophy had already been eliminated by the semi-finals. Reigning champions Milan were eliminated in the round of 16 by Deportivo La Coruna, while last year’s other finalists, Real Madrid, were eliminated in the quarter-finals by AS Monaco. Ultimately, four surprise teams made it to the semi-finals: Porto, Monaco, Depor and Chelsea, who only rose to become a European heavyweight after the season.
There was little spectacle in Porto’s game in the semi-finals either. In the two duels with Depor, only a converted penalty by Derlei (59th) in the second leg made the difference. Curiously, Porto were most dangerous in the final against Monaco, which was played in the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen. The Dragons also scored three goals in their match against Olympique Marseille in the group phase. In the final, Porto faced Monegasques, who were coached by current France coach Didier Deschamps and whose starting line-up included Patrice Evra and Fernando Morientes. Monaco remained harmless for much of the match, but this was also due to the early injury to playmaker Ludovic Giuly, who was replaced by Dado Prso after 23 minutes. The French newspaper “Le Figaro” wrote that Monaco never found a solution against the “methodically approaching Portuguese”. “The Monegasques were inhibited and uninspired,” it also said.
After Champions League triumph: Mourinho & Co. leave FC Porto
The then 19-year-old Brazilian Carlos Alberto (39th) put Porto on the road to victory, a double strike from Deco (71st) and Dmitriy Alenichev (75th) in the second half made the greatest triumph in the club’s history and the most successful underdog story in the Champions League perfect. “FC Porto has reached heaven,” commented the Portuguese newspaper “Público” on the victory. “It is an unforgettable chapter in our club’s history! The triumph has not only increased pride in our team, but also in the city and the entire region. It has shown that with team spirit, determination and hard work, even the greatest challenges can be overcome,” says Porto fan de Carvalho.
However, the greatest success also came with a change after the season. First and foremost, coach Mourinho left the club after 127 games in office and an average of 2.32 points and started a global career at Chelsea, during which he also played for Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and most recently AS Roma. “I decided to leave because I feel that there is nothing left for me to win in Portugal. The challenge is no longer big enough,” said Mourinho immediately after the Champions League final.
Mourinho brought his protégés Carvalho and Ferreira to Chelsea, together the duo cost 50 million euros in transfer fees. Deco moved to FC Barcelona for 21 million euros. Porto earned around 77 million euros from player sales in the summer of 2004, and almost 34 million euros were invested in new signings – including talents such as Hélder Postiga, Diego, who later moved to Bremen, Ricardo Quaresma, Raúl Meireles and Pepe, who has been playing for the club again since 2019 and is also captain. “The high transfer revenues had a decisive influence on the further course of the club’s history. Thanks to these earnings, the club was able to invest in new talent and expand its scouting network. Porto used the money cleverly to recruit young players who could successfully continue the legacy of the departed stars,” says TM user de Carvalho.
Porto never reached or came close to a Champions League final after 2004, but since then they have only missed two seasons in the top flight and won the Europa League in 2011. Nationally, Benfica is number one with the most championships and cup wins, and in the European Cup Porto beats Benfica and Sporting with three titles. This season Porto was beaten by both Lisbon clubs, but their triumph on the biggest European stage 20 years ago is unique in recent football history. On June 1st, Borussia Dortmund could write a similar story against Real Madrid.
2024-05-26 07:17:41
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