2003–04 AS Monaco FC season
The 2003–04 season was AS Monaco FC's 47th season in Ligue 1. They finished third in Ligue 1, were knocked out of the Coupe de la Ligue by Marseille at the Round of 32, knocked out of the Coupe de France by Châteauroux at the quarter-finals and reached the final of the UEFA Champions League where they were defeated by Porto.
Season summary
The season saw remarkable success on the field, given the club's financial strife. The team, coached by former France/ national team captain Didier Deschamps and featuring stalwarts such as Fernando Morientes, Ludovic Giuly, Jérôme Rothen and Dado Pršo, finished third in Ligue 1 and enjoyed a remarkable run to the final of the UEFA Champions League, beating Real Madrid and Chelsea along the way. However, despite the on-field success, the 2003–04 season was the club's worst financial year in its history. Within 12 months, Deschamps had left as coach and Svara had been replaced by Michel Pastor.Monaco were clear outsiders to progress in the Champions League, but defeated tournament favourites like Real Madrid and Chelsea to face another unfancied side, Porto, in the final. Monaco were comprehensively beaten 3–0 by José Mourinho's side, but that did not dampen Monaco's achievement of having defied their underdog status to come within 90 minutes of club football's greatest prize.
Spanish striker Fernando Morientes was Monaco's top goalscorer with 22 goals in all competitions.
Transfers
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