The Predator Pulse in the 2003/04 Champions League Campaign

Porto’s 2003/04 Champions League campaign arguably remains as Jose Mourinho’s greatest managerial achievement 17 years later. During the famous final, numerous players laced up in the adidas Predator Pulse, giving it a special place in Champions League history and inspiring adidas to remake the iconic boot in a special Champions League colourway. 

The club only picked up 1 point from their opening two games of the campaign but went on to win 3 in a row, finishing 2nd in Group F behind Real Madrid, earning themselves a place in the round of 16. 

Porto drew Manchester United who fielded the likes of Keane, Scholes, Giggs, Van Nistelrooy and a young Cristiano Ronaldo off the bench. Quinton Fortune opened the scoring for Manchester United before an inspired Benni McCarthy hit back with a brace to cause a massive upset in Portugal to win 2-1.

At Old Trafford Paul Scholes scored the opener to put United ahead on away goals, heading into stoppage time it looked like Portos run had come to end. Porto had one last chance in stoppage time with a Benni McCarthy free-kick which was hit straight at Tim Howard who dropped it, giving Costinha a chance on the rebound which he took, leading to Jose sprinting down the touchline to celebrate with the players. 

Porto then went on to play Lyon in the quarter-finals with goals from Deco and Carvalho, Port took a 2-0 lead into the 2nd leg. A double from Maniche in the 2nd leg saw Porto win 4-2 on aggregate and progress to the Semi-Finals. 

Porto & Jose would have been preparing to play reigning champions AC Milan but after a dramatic comeback in the 2nd leg, it was Deportivo who progressed to the Semi-Final. The first leg was a tense 0-0 affair in Portugal, setting up a massive 2nd leg for a spot in the final. Porto were awarded a penalty after a foul on Deco right on the edge of the box, Brazilian Derlei tucked it away which saw Porto book a spot in their first champions league final since 1987. 

Monaco had beaten Chelsea in the other Semi-Final making it a surprise Champions League Final match up. The final was held in Germany in Shalke’s stadium; the Arena AufSchalke in front of 52,000 people.

Porto scored the opener through Carlos Alberto just before half-time causing Didier Deschamps’ Monaco side to chase an equaliser. It was a textbook Mourinho performance from Porto who sat back and hit on the counter and scored another 2 through Deco & Dimitri Alenichev to seal a famous win. To this day, this Porto side remains as the last team to win the Champions League from outside the top 4 European Leagues. 

There were a number of players who laced up in the adidas Predator Pulse which had just been released; Cisse, Nikos, & Bernardi for Monaco and Baia & Ferreira for Porto. It was fitting that one of the most iconic boots in Champions League history featured throughout one of the most iconic Champions League finals with Porto completing the fairytale and conquering Europe.