Runners-up Sporting CP Dates 13 Jul 2004 – 18 May 2005 Teams 145 | Champion PFC CSKA Moscow Top scorer Alan Shearer Matches played 305 | |
 | ||
Champions CSKA Moscow (1st title) Similar 2005–06 UEFA Cup, 2003–04 UEFA Cup, 2006–07 UEFA Cup, 2007–08 UEFA Cup, 2001–02 UEFA Cup | ||
The 2004–05 UEFA Cup was the 34th edition of the UEFA Cup. The format of the competition had changed from previous seasons; an extra qualifying round was introduced, as was a group phase after the first round. The group stage operated in a single round-robin format consisting of eight groups of five teams, each team plays two games at home and two away and the top three finishers of each group progress to the knock-out round. The tournament was won by CSKA Moscow, coming from behind in the final against Sporting Clube de Portugal. It was the first win by a Russian side in any European competition, and was even more impressive considering that the final was held at the José Alvalade Stadium, the home of Sporting. The match was refereed by Graham Poll.
Contents
Valencia were the defending champions, but were eliminated by Steaua București in the Round of 32 after dropping out of the UEFA Champions League Group Stage.
Qualifying rounds
Excluded teams: Tobol Kostanay and Kairat Almaty
First qualifying round
12 July and 29 July 2004
Second qualifying round
12 August and 26 August 2004.
First round
Group stage
Based on paragraph 4.06 in the UEFA regulations for the current season, tiebreakers, if necessary, are applied in the following order:
- Cumulative goal difference in group matches.
- Total goals scored in group matches.
- Away goals scored in group matches.
- Higher number of UEFA coefficient points accumulated by the club in question, as well as its association, over the previous five seasons (see paragraph 6.03 of the UEFA regulations).
Teams that have clinched a spot in the round of 32 are highlighted in green.