5 Unexpected Champions League Semi-finalists in recent years

#2 Deportivo La Coruna (2003/04)

Valeron was the anchor of Depor's successful run

The period in the early 2000s is one of Deportivo La Coruna's most successful years in the history of the club as they had attained regular and consistent participation in Europe under the guidance of manager Javier Irureta. Prior to the 2003/04 UEFA Champions League semi-final finish, Deportivo's most successful stint was reaching the quarter-finals in 2001.

The Spaniards finished second and level on points with PSV Eindhoven in the group stages but narrowly edged out the Dutch club as a result of a better Head To Head record. In the Round of 16, Depor beat Juventus 2-0, winning both the legs by a one-goal margin.

In the last eight, they faced stiff competition from AC Milan and were blown away in the first leg 4-1 at the San Siro. However, the Galicians defied the odds and got off to an electric start in the second leg, taking a 3-0 lead in the first half. At this stage, Depor were qualifying on the away goals rule but a 76th-minute goal from Fran sealed the tie as the Spanish club went through 5-4 to the final four.

A narrow 1-0 defeat in the second leg of the semis knocked Deportivo out but their comeback against Milan in the quarter-final will always be illustrious in the history books as they became the first ever team to overturn a three-goal deficit in the knockout stages of Europe's elite tournament.