When AS Monaco beat Real Madrid
Since the 1990s, AS Monaco has had several fine European runs; it’s hard to pick just one. But certainly, the formidable run of 2003-2004 tops the list. Having arrived in 2001 to start his coaching career on the Rock, Didier Deschamps had this season a renowned team with a particularly charming asset — a magical attacking duo of Ludovic Giuly and Fernando Morientes!
A slight misstep in Madrid
First in the Ligue 1 table, AS Monaco had experienced a slight drop since the end of the winter break. This was nevertheless offset by a spectacular rise in the Champions League (qualification following the group stage and elimination of CSKA Moscow in the round of 16).
Then came a trip to the mythical Santiago Bernabeu. Fernando Morientes and his teammates played well but lost, 4-2, against Los Merengues in the Spanish capital. Toto Squillaci did not know it yet, but his reduction of the deficit at the end of the match would weigh very heavily in the balance…
Raul’s sang-froid
At the start of the return leg, the Stade Louis-II was nevertheless sold out for this gala match. Everyone came to see the European giant and itshis host of stars play: Zidane, Ronaldo, Raul, Figo, Beckham, Roberto Carlos. It must be said that this great Real Madrid already had nine continental titles. The “Galacticos” were on historic run in the Champions League, nine consecutive games without defeat.
The Monegasque underdogs has plenty of chances in the first half. However, Raùl, played in at the edge of the area by Ronaldo, dampened the hopes of the Rouge et Blanc in the 35th minute of the game, with a curling shot with his left foot.
Ludo Giuly, Real’s executioner
Hopes dashed? No way. A few minutes later, Monaco captain Ludovic Giuly attempted a volley from outside the penalty area. Slightly deflected, it ended up in Iker Casillas’ net (1-1, 45′). The match then took a completely different turn. With a masterful header after returning from the locker room, Fernando Morientes revived AS Monaco’s hopes of qualification (2-1, 48′).
The Stade Louis-II exploded and felt a chance for a resounding win. The striker, on loan from Real, scored his seventh goal in the Champions League that season… all with headers. In the 66th minute of play, it was again Ludovic Giuly with the assist, as the boss of the locker room, taking responsibility.
#MondayMotivation avec l'anniversaire du match d'anthologie des 🔴⚪️ face au Real Madrid 😍
📺 @Dugout pic.twitter.com/PYzxQwNB9P
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) April 6, 2020
Emotional fireworks
Following a superb run by Colombian right back Hugo Ibarra, he sent in, with his left foot, a low cross to his captain. The latter does not need to be given a second chance and set the Monegasque fans into a frenzy with a backheel as subtle as it was sublime, which went between the legs of Iván Helguera, leaving Madrid unable to recover.
AS Monaco then eliminated one of the biggest teams in Europe and wrote one of the most beautiful pages in its history. Regardless of the final result of the competition, the Rouge et Blanc were great and brought down the best team in Europe — an unforgettable memory.
Match details:
2003-2004 Champions League – Quarterfinal second leg
AS Monaco 3-1 Real Madrid
Halftime: 1-1
Goals: Giuly (45+1 and 66′), Morientes (48′) for AS Monaco; Raùl (35′) for Real Madrid
Bookings: Roma (90′) for AS Monaco; Helguera (30′) and Borja (60′) for Real Madrid
AS Monaco: Roma – Ibarra, Rodriguez, Givet, Evra – Giuly (El-Fakiri, 82′), Plãsil, Cissé, Rothen – Morientes (Adebayor, 85′), Pršo (Nonda, 61′)
Manager: Didier Deschamps
Real Madrid: Casillas – Salgado (Raùl Bravo, 85′), Helguera, Mejía, Roberto Carlos – Figo, Borja (Solari, 72′), Guti (Portillo, 88′) – Zidane – Ronaldo, Raùl
Manager: Carlos Queiroz
