This season, the latest Champions' League final odds indicate it could be an all-English affair, with Manchester City as 4/6 favourites and Chelsea 10/3 to join them, although Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid will both be hoping to change that scenario. Interestingly, Chelsea faces a similar situation to Leeds United, when they took on Valencia in 2001.

Back then, the format of the Champions' League was completely different. After putting German outfit 1860 Munich to the sword in the qualifying round, Leeds United then faced the prospect of two group stages, if they were to harbour ambitions of reaching the knockout stages of the competition. They would also have to conquer all four qualifiers from Spain.

Barcelona, AC Milan, and Besiktas were the opponents in Group H of the first group stage. When they were crushed 4-0 away at the Camp Nou against Barcelona, it looked as though the European adventure would be short-lived. However, after a hard-fought victory against Milan at Elland Road, Leeds then crushed Besiktas 6-0 at home.

The remaining three games all ended in draws. 0-0 at Besiktas, 1-1 at home against Barcelona, then 1-1 against Milan at the San Siro. That proved just enough, as Milan topped the group and Leeds claimed second spot, finishing above an eliminated Barcelona by just a single point. Nevertheless, the reward would be facing another Spanish giant.

With the competition slimmed down to four groups of four, the second group stage would prove just as exciting for Leeds United fans. Both games against Real Madrid ended in defeat, albeit narrowly at the magnificent Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Wins against Lazio and Anderlecht twice put Leeds in a good position, while drawing 3-3 at home against Lazio sealed the deal.

A magical night at Elland Road ??

??? #OTD in 2001, Leeds beat Deportivo 3-0 with goals from Ian Harte, Alan Smith & @rioferdy5 ??#UCL | #ThrowbackThursday | @LUFC pic.twitter.com/0bAeoZ1hwE

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 4, 2019

As if being tested by Barcelona and Real Madrid wasn't enough, Leeds had to face their third Spanish rival, with Deportivo La Coruņa drawn as quarter-final opponents. The 3-0 victory at Elland Road was a joy to behold, with goals from Ian Harte, Alan Smith, and Rio Ferdinand. Nevertheless, United were forced to suffer a tense second leg in Galicia, losing 2-0 but doing just enough to hold on.

Then came the semi-finals, that one last obstacle laying before Leeds United and a potential date with destiny. Against Valencia at Elland Road in the first leg, opportunities to score were spurned by Leeds, while Nigel Martyn put on a memorable display between the posts, keeping the visiting Spaniards at bay. The 0-0 result wasn't ideal, yet David O'Leary's team remained hopeful.

Sadly, those hopes were ultimately crushed at the Mestalla stadium. Juan Sanchez clearly handled the ball as he scored the Valencia opener, although that wasn't seen by referee Urs Meier, and that probably would have been different had VAR been around back then. Sanchez brilliantly struck another just after the interval, fairly this time, before Gaizka Mendieta added the killer blow.

Just to rub salt into the wounds, Alan Smith was red-carded just before the end, as fans pondered on what might have been. Making his 500th appearance for the club, Leeds legend David Batty had a great chance, and Harry Kewell whizzed one just over the crossbar. Olivier Dacourt might have done better too, after an amazing solo run was concluded with a weak finish.

So near, yet so far. At the time that result would have been zero consolation for the Leeds fans who travelled all the way to Valencia, only to return empty-handed. Still, the thrilling journey to reach the Champions' League semi-finals will remain a cherished part of the club's great history, with supporters undoubtedly dreaming that one day, maybe, the team can treat them to another marvellous European adventure.

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