Newcastle United fans will this week hope to erase the memories of their last visit to Lisbon in a European quarter-final eight years ago.
For two thirds of United's quarter-final tie against Sporting Lisbon in April 2005, it looked like Graeme Souness' side were destined to make it into the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup.
The Magpies looked to have completed the first phase of their tough task in the first leg when Alan Shearer scored the game's only goal to give Souness and his team a slender but decent advantage going into the second leg.
Sporting had missed their chance to grab an away goal and it was in Newcastle's hands to book a place in the semi- finals of the competition – and a possible return to Estádio José Alvalade where the final took place.
The home side were not offering much, and when Kieron Dyer skipped through to score the opener on 20 minutes the game looked like it was slipping out of Sporting's reach. With Newcastle 2-0 up on aggregate with 70 minutes of the tie to go, Sporting needed three to win it.
Five minutes before half-time, Niculae pulled one back with a header, but even then United just had to keep it tight and they could afford to concede one more and go through on away goals.
Injuries began to take their toll, Jermaine Jenas taken off at the break to be replaced by the inexperienced James Milner.
United were already operating with one teenager on the field in the shape of Steven Taylor, but a second injury to Titus Bramble meant a makeshift defence of the Whitley Bay lad and Andy O'Brien was flung into battle.
Even then there was a killer blow to follow as Dyer – Newcastle's best player on the night – pulled up with a hamstring problem on the hour.
Sporting could smell blood and Sa Pinto pulled what looked like a suspiciously offside goal back to level the game up on 71 minutes.
It left depleted United clinging on, and fears they would crumble unfolded when Roberto Beto finally put Sporting ahead. With United flustered and over committing bodies, Fábio Rochemback cashed in after Stephen Carr fluffed Shay Given's pass before slotting the ball home to complete what turned out to be a rout.
"However, we had chances to put the game beyond them. We lost JJ, Dyer and Titus and found it difficult. We were taken apart in the end but when we had our starting XI on we looked good."
There is no doubt this team had talent after finishing in the top five three times in successive seasons after Bobby Robson had built the team.
However, at one of the former homes of Robson's glittering managerial career they had crumbled and perhaps the final chance of this team winning silverware was over.
THE Whitley Bay lad remains with Newcastle and has recently been recalled to the England squad. He is the only survivor from 2005.
THE Nigerian left-back left United under a cloud and was branded a "disgrace" by chairman Freddy Shepherd. Last seen in action for LA Galaxy in 2010, he was declared bankrupt a year later.
INJURED on the night in Lisbon, Jenas left Tyneside later that year and branded the city a "goldfish bowl" to Souness. He has since had stints at Spurs, Villa and Forest, but is back in the top flight with QPR.
After quitting United he joined Wigan and at 26 has still not realised his full potential, despite some spates of sparkling football.
UNITED'S all-time leading scorer is currently a pundit on Match of the Day and is regarded as a legend by Geordie fans.
MILNER won a Premier League title medal with Man City last season, but is part of a squad which is frequently rotated.
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