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4. Leeds United (2000-01 season)
Having finished third in the previous Premier League season, a young Leeds United team made Europe’s premier league competition for the first time in their history after the competition’s rebranding to the Champions League in the 2000-01 season.
After beating 1860 Munich in the third round of qualifying, Leeds were joined in Group H by AC Milan, Barcelona and Besiktas. Amazingly, David O’Leary’s side were still able to hold their own, and finished second in the group, with Barcelona dropping out of the competition.
In the second group stage, they faced tournament favourites Real Madrid, a red-hot Lazio side that had won the Serie A in the previous season, and an Anderlecht team that had the ability to beat any team on its day. However, 2 wins in 3 away games helped the Premier League side end in 2nd place, earning them a place in the quarters.
There, they faced Deportivo, who were the La Liga champions at the time, and blitzed them 3-0 at home in the first leg. Despite losing 2-0 away from home, Leeds marched onto the semis, where they faced another Spanish side in Valencia.
Their dream run was ended by Los Che, and very soon, Leeds dropped into the second division after amassing massive debts. However, the 2000-01 Champions League run remains one of their best moments in recent times, where they stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the continent’s best sides.
