If he hadn’t already made a name for himself by knocking out Manchester United en route to the final, this was the match which pushed Jose Mourinho over the bounds of mediocrity, and into the realms of speciality. Pre-match, the 2004 Champions League final between FC Porto and AS Monaco was not billed as a potential classic. However, it failed to disappoint, as Porto triumphed in the battle of the underdogs, with goals from Carlos Alberto, Deco and Dmitri Alenichev.

Both teams impressed throughout the competition, with Monaco overturning a 4-2 deficit to knock out nine-time winners Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, and then defeated Chelsea in the penultimate hurdle. Whilst Porto’s route to the finals included the famous image of Jose Mourinho celebrating down the Old Trafford touchline, as the Portuguese side overcame Manchester United. But Porto’s semi-final was not quite as convincing, as they relied on a penalty to defeat Deportivo 1-0 on aggregate.

Mourinho celebrates his side’s goal at Old Trafford

Having won the UEFA Cup the previous season, Porto went into the game hoping to win Europe’s superior competition. Monaco captain Ludovic Giuly made an instant impact on the game, with his pace too much for the Portuguese defence. But the French side were to suffer an early blow after just 22 minutes, as Giuly limped off. Lucas Bernardi was threading dangerous balls through to Morientes, who was leading the attacking line.

With little time left of the first period, Monaco were made to rue their missed chances. Paulo Ferreira’s cross fell to Carlos Alberto. With his side to goal, and tight marking from the Monaco defense, the Brazilian attempted to square it to Derlei. The ball bounced off the defender, and Carlos Alberto hit a stunning volley from the rebound.

Carlos Alberto gives Porto the lead

The second half started in similar fashion to the first, as Monaco continued to push forward; although somewhat lacking cutting edge after the retirement of Giuly from the match. Morientes looked sharp, and was only denied a fantastic opportunity by the offside flag. Mourinho knew he had to do something and, by replacing goal scorer Carlos Alberto with Dmitri Alenichev, he began a reputation of making early and unprecedented substitutions.

As Monaco took the risk of committing an increasing number of players forward in search of an equaliser, it was only a matter of time before one of the sides grabbed that important second goal. And it was, indeed, Porto who got it, with Deco the driving force behind a telling counter attack. With a three versus three situation, the playmaker pushed the ball wide to Alenichev, before receiving the return ball and using the time the Monaco defenders gave him on the ball to tuck it away.

Just four minutes progressed before Porto put the game beyond their opponents. Alenichev playing the role of receiver this time, after Derlei’s deflected pass fell into his path. The Russian duly delivered, stroking the ball under the onrushing Flavio Roma.

Well the build up to the match was all about the managers, and so was the aftermath. It took just two days for Jose Mourinho to accept the enticing offer to leave Porto for Chelsea; a club where he went on to achieve hero status. Monaco coach Didier Deschamps did decide to stay, but resigned early on in the following season due to a poor start.

The 2004 final was one in which reputations were built

The players of both clubs also reaped the rewards of a brilliant campaign. Porto’s Paulo Ferreira and Ricardo Carvalho followed Mourinho to Stamford bridge, whilst Deco and Pedro Mendes also sought lucrative moves that summer, to Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur respectively. Numerous other players from that final squad also went on to leave the Dragão in seasons to come.

For Monaco, captain Giuly was off to Barcelona, Jérôme Rothen earned a move to PSG, and Fernando Morientes returned to Real Madrid after his loan spell. Notable players such as Emmanuel Adebayor and Patrice Evra followed the trio out of the exit door after a further two seasons in France. So the 2004 Champions League final was very much a match in which players and staff alike made a name for themselves. It may not have been the battle of Europe’s two greatest clubs, but both sides deserved to be there, and played out a fantastic final.