GERMANY: MONACO AND PORTO TRAIN AHEAD OF THEIR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL IN GELSENKIRCHEN

Record ID: 559153

  • Title: GERMANY: MONACO AND PORTO TRAIN AHEAD OF THEIR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL IN GELSENKIRCHEN
  • Date: 25th May 2004
  • Summary: GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY (MAY 25, 2004) 1. STADIUM/ SCREEN 2. PORTO COACH JOSE MOURINHO 3. THREE BALLS 4. PORTO PLAYERS 5. GOALKEEPER VITOR BAIA 6. STRIKER BENNY MCCARTHY, FROM SOUTH AFRICA 7. DEFENDER NUNO VALENTE, A PORTUGUESE INTERNATIONAL 8. COACH JOSE MOURINHO 9. BENNY MCCARTHY HOPPING 10. BRAZILIAN MIDFIELDER DECO 11. STADIUM/ PLAYERS TRAINING 12. VETERAN DEFENDER JORGE COSTA (YELLOW SHIRT) 13. DECO (GREEN VEST) 14. PLAYERS TRAINING 15. DECO FALLS TO GROUND 16. BIG SCREEN OVER PITCH 17. MONACO MANAGER DIDIER DESCHAMPS 18. MONACO PLAYER JEROME ROTHEN 19. FANS APPLAUDING 20. DADO PRSO, TALL STRIKER FROM CROATIA AND CAPTAIN LUDOVIC GIULY 21. FERNANDO MORIENTES 22. DESCHAMPS WITH FOOT ON BALL 23. FLAVIO ROMA, GOALKEEPER 24. PLAYERS TRAINING 25. STADIUM, PLAYERS ON PITCH Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 9th June 2004 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY
  • Country: Germany
  • Reuters ID: LVAC89ACH5NMY2O8WKW0NSTAVFAE
  • Story Text: Final training sessions for Monaco and Porto.


    Jose Mourinho believes Porto and Monaco have a duty
    to provide an entertaining Champions League final on
    Wednesday (May 26).

    This has been a season of surprises in the Champions
    League, with perennial favourites Real Madrid, Manchester
    United, Arsenal and AC Milan failing to make it even to the
    semi-finals.

    The two finalists have caused their fair share of
    upsets, with Porto knocking out United and Deportivo
    Coruna. Monaco, now in their first final, beat Real and
    Chelsea.

    Porto were 40-1 and Monaco 80-1 to win the cup at the
    start of the group stage.

    Porto have built their success on tight defence and
    discipline in midfield and Monaco coach Didier Deschamps is
    expecting a tense, tactical battle.

    Mourinho is proud of his side's attacking prowess,
    though, and he is promising to provide a platform for the
    inventive Brazilian-born Portugal international Deco Souza
    to win the final for his side.

    Porto, European champions in 1987, won their second
    European honour by beating Celtic in the final of last
    season's UEFA Cup.

    Victory on Wednesday would make them only the second
    team after Liverpool in 1976 and 1977 to win the UEFA Cup
    and European Cup in successive seasons and their experience
    12 months ago should serve them well.

    Monaco coach Didier Deschamps knows all about Champions
    League finals and he predicts Wednesday's against Porto
    will be a tight, nervy match.

    Deschamps said he was fully aware that the side coached
    by Jose Mourinho were much more than a dull defensive
    machine.

    The Monaco coach said he had a plan to look after
    Porto's inspiration in midfield, Brazilian-born Portuguese
    international Deco Souza, but would not elaborate.

    The 35-year-old Frenchman lifted the coveted trophy
    with Marseille in 1993 and Juventus in 1996, and could now
    become to youngest coach to win it.

    Deschamps said Monaco, 80-1 to win the cup at the start
    of the group stage, would consider themselves outsiders
    against the 2003 UEFA Cup winners.


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