Middlesbrough F.C. in international football

Middlesbrough qualified for the first round of the 2004–05 UEFA Cup after winning the 2003–04 Football League Cup.[3] Their first match was at home to Baník Ostrava, winning 3–0 after one goal from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, and two goals from Mark Viduka.[4] The away leg ended in a 1–1 draw after a late goal from James Morrison.[5] For the group stage Middlesbrough were drawn in group E with Egaleo, Lazio, Villarreal and Partizan. Middlesbrough made a good start to the group with a 1–0 win over Egaleo,[6] followed by a 2–0 win over Lazio.[7] Their away match against Villarreal was less successful, ending in a 2–0 defeat.[8] For the final game however Middlesbrough beat Partizan 3–0, finishing first in group E.[9]

For the round of 32 Middlesbrough were drawn against Grazer AK. During the first leg Middlesbrough were only able to achieve a 2–2 draw, with Grazer twice coming back from being a goal down.[10] The second leg went better, though Middlesbrough were initially 1–0 down after a goal from Mario Bazina. A goal from James Morrison levelled the score before half-time, followed by the winning goal from Hasselbaink during the second half, allowing Middlesbrough to advance 4–3 on aggregate.[11] For the round of 16 Middlesbrough were drawn against Sporting CP. The first leg was one of mixed feelings for the home side as Middlesbrough ended up 3–0 down. But two late goals from Joseph-Désiré Job and Chris Riggott restored some hope.[12] Middlesbrough were unable to score in their away leg, and were eliminated 4–2 on aggregate after a late goal from Pedro Barbosa.[13]

Middlesbrough finished the 2004–05 Premier League in 7th place and subsequently qualified for the first round of the 2005–06 UEFA Cup. They were drawn against Skoda Xanthi, winning the first leg 2–0 after goals from George Boateng and Mark Viduka.[14] This was followed by a 0–0 draw during the second leg.[15] For the group stage Middlesbrough were drawn in group D along with AZ, Litex Lovech, Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk and Grasshopper. The group stage went well with a 1–0 win against Grasshopper,[16] followed by a 3–0 win over Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.[17] Away to AZ, Middlesbrough only managed a 0–0 draw,[18] but finished the group stage with a 2–0 win over Litex Lovech.[19]

For the round of 32 Middlesbrough were drawn against VfB Stuttgart, and scored two away goals during the first leg.[20] Despite a 1–0 defeat at home during the second leg after an early goal from Christian Tiffert, Middlesbrough advanced on away goals.[21] For the round of 16 Middlesbrough came up against A.S. Roma, winning the first leg 1–0 after a penalty from Yakubu.[22] During the second leg Middlesbrough again took the lead after a goal from Hasselbaink, though Roma were able to equalize after a goal from Mancini. Roma then took the lead after being awarded a penalty, scored by Mancini. The final score was 2–1, though Middlesbrough again advanced on away goals.[23] Middlesbrough meet FC Basel in the Quarter Finals, losing the first leg 2–0 after goals from Matías Delgado and Philipp Degen.[24] During the second leg Middlesbrough initially went 1–0 behind, before making a memorable comeback. Mark Viduka scored before half-time to level the score, before scoring again in the second half. Hasselbaink scored a third goal for the home side, before Maccarone scored the winning goal in the last minute, allowing Middlesbrough to advance 4–3 on aggregate.[25] In the Semi-finals Middlesbrough faced FC Steaua București, again losing the first leg, this time 1–0 after a goal from Nicolae Dică.[26] During the second leg Middlesbrough again went behind after another goal from Dică and a further goal from Dorin Goian, though Maccarone was able to find the net before half-time. During the second half Middlesbrough would complete another unpredictable comeback, with Viduka and Riggott both scoring, followed by the winning goal from Maccarone.[27]

Middlesbrough were unable to score during the final, going behind in the first-half after a goal from Luís Fabiano. Despite making several changes during the second half, the match ended in a 4–0 defeat for Middlesbrough.[28]

Information correct as of 15 February 2016.