| Season: | 2004–05 |
| League Topscorer: | Liédson (25) |
| Season Topscorer: | Liédson (35) |
| Highest Attendance: | 49,032 vs Benfica (8 January 2005)[1] |
| Lowest Attendance: | 19,000 vs Estoril (28 February 2005)[2] |
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| Nextseason: | 2005–06 |
The 2004–05 season was Sporting Clube de Portugal's 97th competitive season, 71st consecutive season in the top flight of Portuguese football, and 98th year in existence as a football club.
Sporting CP's season began on 29 August 2004 with the first game of the Primeira Liga campaign, with a 3–2 home victory over Gil Vicente.[3] Despite being top of the league at the half way mark of the season, and claiming home victories over rivals Benfica and Porto, the Leões finished in third place, four points behind league champions Benfica.[4] [5]
Aside from the Primeira Liga, Sporting CP also competed in the Taça de Portugal, where they entered the fourth round courtesy of their league position. After claiming straightforward victories over Naval 1º de Maio and Pampilhosa, Sporting CP were eliminated by Lisbon rivals Benfica in the sixth round. In a highly entertaining 3–3 game, the tie went to penalties which saw the Encarnados defeat the Leões 7–6 on penalties.[6]
Given their third-place finish in the 2003–04 season, the Leões secured a place in the first round of the 2004–05 UEFA Cup.[7] After progressing through the group stages, Sporting CP defeated Dutch side Feyenoord, and English sides Middlesbrough and Newcastle United to set up a semi-final tie against AZ. Despite taking a 2–1 lead into the second leg,[8] the Cheese Farmers equaled the first leg result which led to extra time. After Kew Jaliens's 109th-minute strike which gave AZ the aggregate lead, Miguel Garcia scored a stoppage time goal to see Sporting CP progress to the final on the away goals rule.[9] In the final taking place at the Estádio José Alvalade, Sporting CP met Russian side CSKA Moscow. Despite taking a first half lead, Sporting CP lost their advantage and conceded three second half goals to lose the final 3–1.[10]
Stats as of the end of the 2004–05 season. Games played and goals scored only refers to appearances and goals in domestic league campaigns.
| Name | Nationality | Position(s) | Since | Date of Birth (Age) | Signed from | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | ||||||||
| 1 | Nélson | GK | 1997 | 2005 5, df=yes | Torreense | 56 | 0 | |
| 12 | Tiago | GK | 1995 | 2005 5, df=yes | Estrela da Amadora | 78 | 0 | |
| 13 | Mário Felgueiras | GK | 2005 | 2005 5, df=yes | Youth System | 0 | 0 | |
| 76 | Ricardo | GK | 2003 | 2005 5, df=yes | Boavista | 67 | 0 | |
| Defenders | ||||||||
| 4 | Ânderson Polga |  | CB | 2003 | 2005 5, df=yes | Grêmio | 55 | 0 |
| 6 | Hugo | CB | 2000 | 2005 5, df=yes |  Sampdoria | 59 | 3 | |
| 14 | Joseph Enakarhire |  | CB | 2004 | 2005 5, df=yes |  Standard Liège | 19 | 0 |
| 15 | Miguel Garcia | RB | 2003 | 2005 5, df=yes | Youth System | 40 | 0 | |
| 18 | Mário Sérgio | RB | 2003 | 2005 5, df=yes | Paços de Ferreira | 12 | 0 | |
| 21 | Paíto | LB | 2003 | 2005 5, df=yes | Youth System | 22 | 0 | |
| 22 | Beto | CB | 1994 | 2005 5, df=yes | Youth System | 235 | 20 | |
| 23 | Rui Jorge | LB | 1998 | 2005 5, df=yes | Porto | 191 | 5 | |
| Midfielders | ||||||||
| 5 | Carlos Martins | AM / CM | 2000 | 2005 5, df=yes | Youth System | 43 | 7 | |
| 8 | Pedro Barbosa (C) | AM / CM | 1995 | 2005 5, df=yes | Vitória de Guimarães | 259 | 39 | |
| 11 | Rodrigo Tello | LB / LM | 2001 | 2005 5, df=yes | Universidad de Chile | 65 | 4 | |
| 24 | Miguel Veloso | LB / CM | 2005 | 2005 5, df=yes | Youth System | 0 | 0 | |
| 26 | Fábio Rochemback | | AM / CM / DM | 2003 | 2005 5, df=yes |  Barcelona | 44 | 9 |
| 27 | Custódio | DM | 2002 | 2005 5, df=yes | Youth System | 52 | 4 | |
| 28 | João Moutinho | AM / CM | 2005 | 2005 5, df=yes | Youth System | 15 | 0 | |
| 37 | Rogério | | RWB / RM | 2004 | 2005 5, df=yes | Corinthians | 29 | 2 |
| 45 | Hugo Viana | CM / LM | 2004 | 2005 5, df=yes | Newcastle United | 59 | 7 | |
| 77 | Tinga | | DM | 2004 | 2005 5, df=yes | Grêmio | 20 | 0 |
| Forwards | ||||||||
| 9 | Marius Niculae |  | CF | 2001 | 2005 5, df=yes | Dinamo București | 59 | 14 |
| 10 | Ricardo Sá Pinto | AM / CF / RW | 2000 | 2005 5, df=yes | Real Sociedad | 146 | 32 | |
| 17 | Roudolphe Douala |  | LW / CF / RW | 2004 | 2005 5, df=yes | Boavista | 22 | 4 |
| 20 | Danny | AM / LW | 2002 | 2005 5, df=yes | Marítimo | 10 | 0 | |
| 25 | Paulo Sérgio | LW / RW | 2003 | 2005 5, df=yes | Youth System | 0 | 0 | |
| 31 | Liédson | | CF | 2003 | 2005 5, df=yes | Corinthians | 61 | 40 |
| 36 | Carlos Saleiro | CF | 2005 | 2005 5, df=yes | Youth System | 0 | 0 | |
| 87 | Mauricio Pinilla | CF | 2004 | 2005 5, df=yes | Inter Milan | 16 | 5 | |
| 99 | João Mota | | CF | 2005 | 2005 5, df=yes |  Jeonnam Dragons | 5 | 0 |
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Manager | José Peseiro |
| Assistant Manager | Eduardinho |
| Luís Martins | |
| Pedro Caixinha | |
| Goalkeeper Coach | Fernando Justino |
| Training Coach | Flávio Baia dos Santos |
| Scout | João Ruas |
| Doctor | Gomes Pereira |
| Kit man | Paulinho |
See main article: 2004–05 Primeira Liga.