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#1 Deportivo La Coruna 5-4 A.C Milan: 2003-04
Deportivo La Coruna experienced their golden age during the mid-90s and 00s, winning the La Liga and multiple Copas Del Rey while dishing out exciting performances in Europe. ' 'SuperDepor' would make the Champions League quarter-finals thrice during that period, losing out to Leeds United and Manchester United in the first two before meeting defending Champions A.C Milan in the 2003-04 season.
Depor were in no sense underdogs, having beaten Italian Champions Juventus in the Round of 16 stage and were not unfamiliar with Milan, having played them four times in the group stages over the previous years. But what would make Depor longshots to progress coming into the second leg at the Estadio Riazor was the thrashing they had received at the San Siro in the opening leg.
The Milan side were one of the greatest in the competition's history, comprising the likes of Kaka, Shevchenko, Pirlo, Nesta, Maldini and Inzaghi and had plundered four goals in eight minutes to crush Deportivo 4-1 at the San Siro. Never had a three-goal deficit been overcome in Champions League history up to that point and Depor had mountainous odds to overcome in the return leg at the Riazor, with Milan having yet to concede an away goal that season.
But a confident Milan were torn to shreds by Depor at the Riazor with Walter Pandiani taking just five minutes to beat Dida. Further goals from Juan Carlos Valeron and Albert Luque meant that Depor needed just 44 minutes to wipe out the Rossoneri's advantage. A shellshocked Milan side were deflated heading into the break and seemed no better after coming out for the second half.
Already ahead on away goals, Javier Irureta's side comfortably held the Italians at bay during the final 45. They would even apply the icing on the cake when Fran beat Dida in the 76th minute to put Depor 4-0 ahead on the night. With Milan never coming close to scoring, the tie finished 5-4 to Depor on aggregate.
Depor would join Porto, Monaco and Chelsea to set up the most open semifinal of the Champions League era and would only be denied by a Derlei penalty against Porto in the semifinals from extending their dream run in Europe.
