2004 UEFA Super Cup

Background

Porto qualified for the Super Cup as the reigning UEFA Champions League winners. They had won the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League beating Monaco 3–0 to win the competition for the second time. It would be Porto's third appearance in the competition was contesting the Super Cup for the third time. They won the competition in 1987 beating Ajax, while they lost in 2003, to Milan.

Valencia had qualified for the competition as a result of winning the 2003–04 UEFA Cup. They had beaten Marseille 2–0 in the final. Valencia's only previous appearance in 1980 resulted in victory, beating Nottingham Forest. Porto and Valencia had previously met each other in two European competition matches. In the second round of the 1989–90 UEFA Cup, Porto eliminated the Spanish team with a 5–4 aggregate score, as result of a 3–1 home win and a 2–3 away loss.

Soon after their European victories, Porto manager José Mourinho and Valencia manager Rafael Benítez parted with their clubs—Mourinho was hired by Chelsea, while Benitez took Liverpool's helm—and were therefore not able to lead their teams into the 2004 UEFA Super Cup. To replace them, Porto had hired Victor Fernández, and Valencia brought back Claudio Ranieri for a second spell. Besides the manager position, both clubs also went through significant squad changes. Porto sold Portuguese international playmaker Deco to Barcelona, and Portuguese defenders Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira accompanied Mourinho to Chelsea. Relevant signings included Portuguese internationals Ricardo Quaresma, Hélder Postiga and Raul Meireles; Greek international and newly crowned UEFA Euro 2004 champion Giourkas Seitaridis; and Brazilian international and 2004 Copa América winner Diego. Ranieri brought to Valencia three Italian internationals: former Juventus striker Marco Di Vaio, and Lazio players Bernardo Corradi and Stefano Fiore.

Coming into the match after their previous week loss at the Supercopa de España, Valencia captain David Albelda admitted the team was "not at 100 per cent" and was still "hurt by the defeat", but this setback should help them "go into the match fully concentrated and go all out to win". On the other hand, Porto were coming from another Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira victory. The team's midfielder and captain Costinha assured that Valencia would be "an even tougher match" as it is "a very experienced team with good players". Remembering the Super Cup defeat against Milan in the previous year, Costinha showed no doubts: "... this time things are going to be different. I'm confident we can win". Nonetheless, Porto had two key players ruled out due to injuries. Brazilian striker Derlei suffered a right knee ligament lesion during a friendly match on 15 August with city rivals Boavista, whereas Diego suffered a thigh injury during the Portuguese Super Cup match.

Match

Details

Di Vaio

|}

References

References

1. (28 August 2004). "Ranieri finds winning blend". Union of European Football Associations.
2. (25 August 2004). "Super Cup date for Hauge". Union of European Football Associations.
3. (August 2013). "UEFA Super Cup – 2013 season: Match press kits". Union of European Football Associations.
4. (27 May 2004). "Porto perform to perfection". Union of European Football Associations.
5. "2003: Shevchenko steals the show". Union of European Football Associations.
6. Harte, Adrian. (20 May 2004). "Valencia victorious in Gothenburg". Union of European Football Associations.
7. "1980: Valencia profit from Felman's fortune". Union of European Football Associations.
8. Ross, James M.. (17 January 2008). "UEFA Cup 1989–90". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
9. (18 August 2004). "Iberians eye Super Cup silverware". Union of European Football Associations.
10. (18 August 2004). "Summer of surprises for Porto". Union of European Football Associations.
11. (18 August 2004). "Ranieri back for unfinished business". Union of European Football Associations.
12. Harte, Simon. (26 August 2004). "Captain Albelda's call to arms". Union of European Football Associations.
13. Tavares, Nuno. (26 August 2004). "Costinha shows desire". Union of European Football Associations.
14. (17 August 2004). "Derlei doubtful for Porto". Union of European Football Associations.
15. (23 August 2004). "Diego to miss Monaco showpiece". Union of European Football Associations.