AINDA O RESCALDO DE 2004

No rescaldo que o site da UEFA faz sobre a Liga dos Campeões do ano passado, destacam-se estes dois momentos:

"BEST SIGNING
Carlos Alberto (FC Porto)

Although Porto had progressed comfortably through the 2003/04 group stage, they still seemed outsiders for the title, not least after being drawn against Manchester United FC. Even worse, just before Christmas key striker Derlei tore knee ligaments and was ruled out for months. José Mourinho's solution? To sign a promising 19-year-old from Fluminense FC of Brazil. Carlos Alberto started all seven of Porto's knockout games and opened the scoring in their 3-0 victory against AS Monaco FC in the final. No wonder the man with the biggest chequebook in football - Abramovich - turned to Mourinho to succeed Ranieri."


MOMENT OF 2004
Costinha (Porto v Manchester United)

As Porto's first knockout round encounter at Old Trafford entered added time, they trailed on away goals; their 2-1 first-leg lead cancelled out by a Paul Scholes effort. Indeed, had Scholes not had a goal disallowed for offside before half-time, Porto would have been as good as out. But they held on and as full time approached Costinha pounced on to a rebound to score after Tim Howard blocked Benni McCarthy's free-kick. United were out and eleven weeks later Porto were European champions.