According to UEFA live television coverage was being requested by seventeen countries. Leeds were ready to turn the 4-0 scoreline from six weeks ago into motivation for sweeping the Blaugrana out of Europe.
Whyte's skills had been polished in the States, and he started his Leeds career by dribbling past two Scarborough players and shimmying around the goalie to score. More important, though, was his impenetrable consistency alongside Chris Fairclough.
O'Leary's babies had not, yet, dug into and ground out one of their Champions League matches. Travelling, working and getting the result were signs of maturity as long as you remember that growing up is boring.
The acts of persuasion that Howard Wilkinson and Bill Fotherby used to tempt Chris Fairclough to Second Division Leeds United must rank among the greatest lobbying feats in football history.
Massimo Cellino wanted the credit, and Leeds fans wanted a good local left-back. But Charlie Taylor wanted the Premier League.
Casper Sloth looked fun to work with, the sort of treat everyone playing Champ Man hopes the scouts will come back with from Scandinavia.
Leeds were the winners by so much that the second half was a drift. Elland Road needed what it got: six goals and a random meltdown.
Casper Ankergren fell in love with English football, and with Leeds, straight away. He even fell in love with Dennis Wise.
After being turned by Alan Smith and pulling him down by his shirt, Paolo Maldini had to take a wet booking while wearing a face of utter embarrassment. After United's chastening week it was a welcome sign.
Step one is Alan Smith kicking Rivaldo. Step two is Olivier Dacourt kicking Rivaldo. Step three is Rivaldo is orchestrating a move, swerving around Duberry and shooting past Martyn. The game isn't ten minutes old.