The season
The 2004/05 competition used the format we call “eight groups, then knockouts”. Eight groups of four, then two-legged knockout rounds from the last sixteen. 32 clubs from 16 countries took part, and Liverpool won it, beating Milan in the final.
By our squad ratings, Real Madrid had the strongest squad in the field, with a best eleven averaging 87. Liverpool had only the tenth strongest squad of 32, so their title was a genuine upset on paper. In the final they beat a Milan side we rate higher (86 to 84).
England, Italy and Spain sent the most clubs, 4 each. 8 of the 16 nations in the field had a single representative.
The highest-rated player in the competition, by our estimates, was Ronaldo of Real Madrid, a ST rated 90.
Thirty-two clubs played eight groups of four, home and away. The top two from each group went into the round of sixteen, and from there every tie was played over two legs until the single-match final. Ties level on aggregate were decided by away goals, then extra time and penalties.
The strongest squads
Our rating for each club is the average of its best eleven players that season, on the scale the game uses.
- 1Real MadridSpain87
- 2AC MilanItaly86
- 3ChelseaEngland86
- 4JuventusItaly86
- 5Manchester UnitedEngland86
- 6ArsenalEngland85
- 7FC BarcelonaSpain85
- 8Inter MilanItaly85
The best players in the field
- 1 RonaldoReal Madrid · ST90
- 2Fabio CannavaroJuventus · CB90
- 3Francesco TottiAS Roma · ST90
- 4Gianluigi BuffonJuventus · GK90
- 5Roberto CarlosReal Madrid · LB90
- 6Frank LampardChelsea · CM89
- 7Michael BallackFC Bayern Munich · CDM89
- 8Ryan GiggsManchester United · CDM89
- 9Thierry HenryArsenal · ST89
- 10Zinedine ZidaneReal Madrid · CAM89
The groups
Replay 2004/05 in Magic Nights
In Magic Nights you can take charge of any of these 32 clubs, with the squad they had that season, and play the competition in this exact format. Win it with the favourites, or try the hardest job in the game: lifting the trophy with a club from the bottom half of the field.