#4 Deportivo La Coruna (4 – 0) AC Milan, Estadio Municipal de Riazor (Deportivo), Quarter-Finals, 2003-04(Milan won first leg 4-1)
Even before the Miracle of Istanbul had happened, Milan fans had already seen the Debacle at Deportivo, a year earlier. Milan had everything going for them in the competition going into the second leg. A lot of big names had been eliminated from the tournament, making Milan massive favorites to capture the trophy.
Milan were also the defending champions and were chasing history in trying to become the first club to retain the Champions League. Most importantly, Milan had a 4-1 aggregate lead that they were taking to Deportivo. Ask any Milan fan, and they’d say they would have been happier with a two-goal cushion, 3 makes it a little tricky when Milan is concerned!
Despite housing one of the meanest defences in the competition, Milan knew they would have their work cut, as Deportivo took the lead as early as the 5th minute when Walter Pandiani struck the back of the net. By half-time, it was already 3-0 and Deportivo lead on away goals. The final blow was inflicted when Fran made the tally 4-0 in the 76th minute and Deportivo were well and truly on their way to the Champions League semi-final.
This wasn’t just one of the greatest comebacks in European history, it was also one of the most humiliating exits for the defending champions.
