In 2003–04, Associazione Calcio Milan managed to claim their first Serie A title since 1998–99. Arguably, this was the pinnacle of Carlo Ancelotti's Milan side, as the players proved they had the ability to perform effectively for the whole season.
Roma both scored more and conceded fewer goals than Milan, but the effectiveness the Milanese showed in tight matches ensured their winning margin was edged out to a stable 11 points. The title was sealed against Roma at home, with a goal by Andriy Shevchenko proving enough for a 1–0 win.
In the Champions League, Milan failed to defend their European title, as they were knocked out in the quarter-finals, losing 4–0 to Deportivo la Coruña in the second leg, after they had won 4–1 at home.
Individually, the biggest surprise was how the Brazilian trequartista Kaká seamlessly found his way into the Italian game, being a key player in Milan's success. The other two arrivals, Cafu and Giuseppe Pancaro, also integrated well with the team. Andriy Shevchenko was crowned as European Footballer of the Year on the back of his successful season. Tactically, Ancelotti used two different formations throughout the season; the 4–4–2 diamond (or 4–1–2–1–2) and the 4–3–2–1.
Players Squad at end of season
Transfers In Pos. Name from Type MF Kaká Sao Paulo (€8,5 million ) DF Cafu Roma free DF Giuseppe Pancaro Lazio GK Gabriele Aldegani Livorno loan ended DF Fabricio Coloccini Atletico Madrid loan ended DF Mohamed Sarr Ancona loan ended MF Demetrio Albertini Atletico Madrid loan ended MF Marco Donadel Lecce loan ended MF Massimo Donati Torino loan ended FW Mohammed Aliyu Datti Siena loan ended FW Marco Borriello Empoli loan ended FW Vitali Kutuzov Sporting CP loan ended Out Pos. Name to Type DF José Chamot Leganes DF Thomas Helveg Inter MF Demetrio Albertini Lazio MF Ibrahim Ba Bolton Wanderers FW Mohammed Aliyu Datti Standard Liege GK Gabriele Aldegani Rimini loan DF Fabricio Coloccini Villarreal loan DF Roque Júnior Leeds United loan DF Mohamed Sarr Atalanta loan MF Catilina Aubameyang Triestina loan MF Samuele Dalla Bona Bologna loan MF Marco Donadel Parma loan MF Flavian André Lyon FW Vitali Kutuzov Avellino loan
Winter In Pos. Name from Type Out Pos. Name to Type FW Rivaldo Cruzeiro DF Roque Júnior Siena loan
Reserve squad
Competitions
Supercoppa Italiana
UEFA Super Cup
Serie A
League table
Results summary
Results by round
Matches
Coppa Italia
Round of 16
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
UEFA Champions League
Group stage
Knockout phase
Round of 16
Quarter-finals
Intercontinental Cup
Statistics Players statistics
Goalscorers Andriy Shevchenko 24 (1 pen.) Jon Dahl Tomasson 12 (1 pen.) Kaká 10 Andrea Pirlo 6 (3 pen.)
References