The 2000-01 campaign was a season of exhilarating European adventure for Leeds United, as The Whites, under David O'Leary, charged all the way to the UEFA Champions League Semi-Finals, navigating two incredibly tough group stages against heavyweights like Barcelona and AC Milan. Domestically, they finished a strong 4th in the Premier League, narrowly missing a second consecutive Champions League spot. Spearheading the sensational attack was the Australian talisman Mark Viduka, whose 17 league goals (22 overall) included a famous four-goal haul in a memorable 4-3 victory over Liverpool. The squad, featuring the young core of Rio Ferdinand, Lee Bowyer, and Alan Smith, created unforgettable Elland Road nights, though the high-stakes campaign unfortunately set the stage for the club's future financial turmoil.