The 2004-05 campaign was a season of near-glory and heartbreak for AC Milan as the Rossoneri finished a close 2nd in Serie A and were runners-up in the UEFA Champions League. Leading the charge was the Ballon d'Or winner Andriy Shevchenko, whose 17 league goals proved decisive in a squad built on world-class legends like Kaká, Andrea Pirlo, and captain Paolo Maldini. It was a season that started with Supercoppa Italiana glory but remains etched in history for the dramatic "Miracle of Istanbul" final loss to Liverpool.