@Fiero, I don't want to live in past, the past is just past memories; we need to stop that, and look forward for our future!
History is a big part of why we achieve things. After all, why would we go for goals if they'd be forgotten? It's important to be ambitious, have goals, and plan for the future. But in my opinion, it's more important to celebrate and enjoy what one has achieved.
It's a memory, a wonderful one, that will live with us forever. Back in the summer of 2006, just after Italy had been crowned as the world's champions, Milan's future looked dim. Sheva had just left, breaking the hearts of millions of Milanisti all around the globe. We found ourselves in the middle of the Calciopoli controversy, maybe facing the possibility of returning to Serie B. At first, we weren't even going to participate in the Champions League. Fast forward nine months, and Milan are Europe's champions! Not even the most optimistic of supporters would have expected it.
It's an epic story of rising to the top. Milan started the season in the worst way possible. We had a miserable form in the league, like it wasn't enough that we started with 8 points deducted. Olivera failed to fill in Sheva's boots (after all, who could?), Gila failed to step up, and our team looked shattered to say the least. Not long into the season, and we realized a realistic target would be finishing fourth to make the Champions League.
But all the team needed was two signings, and an epic victory, to achieve the unthinkable. Ronaldo and Oddo joined in January, the former to help in the league as Oliveira continued to struggle, and the latter to fill in Cafu's boots as he didn't have the legs anymore. In the Champions League, we had easily passed the group stages, but looked to struggle in the first knock-out round against Celtic. It took an extra time solo goal from
Kaka for us to scrap through to the next round. The only impact this victory had, was that it made everyone believe that Milan should better save their energy and focus on the league. Perhaps that was a good thing after all.
Next up were Bayern. Not the power horse they were at the turn of the century, but still dangerous as they were led by non other than Ottmar Hitzfeld. The first leg was at the San Siro, Milan were leading 1-0 at the break, with a Pirlo header. In the second half, Bayern scored twice to make it 2-1. Milan looked out of the competition, but a late Kaka penalty gave the fans a glimmer of hope. Milan had to win in Germany, or get any draw higher than 2-2.
Most people would point to our 3-0 victory against Man Utd as our best game of the season, and I wouldn't disagree. But to me, the epic victory that we were looking for, the one that changed our season, was beating Bayern 2-0 at the Allianz Arena. It gave the team the self belief that was lacking. The players proved they weren't finished yet. Milan was the only non English team in the semi finals, and now had something to
really look forward to. Two years in the past, Milan had experienced the most freakish defeat I've ever witnessed. Liverpool were in the other semi final, with a possibility to meet them again at the final. It was time to set the record straight.
Kaka's individual brilliance was the highlight as Milan lost 3-2 to Man Utd in England. We were leading until Gattuso got injured and was limped off, the game was lost then. Once again, Milan found themselves in a difficult position. The English media wank fest had started way before the first leg. Milan were deemed old and slow as usual, the wholecliche that Italians are defensive diving cheats was repeated tons of times, not to mention the brilliant quote of sir Alex Ferguson
"Pippo Inzaghi was born in an offside position" that we had to be reminded of on every possible occasion.
The players played their heart out on the field. It was a magical combination of Gattuso's determination, Nesta's class, Kaka's speed, Seedorf's effectiveness, Pippo's finishing, Ancelotti's tactics, and the whole team's unity. From the youngest member of our staff to signor Berlusconi, the whole club was unified together towards a single goal. The players fought like warriors in the battle field, we were simply unbeatable. We achieved the unexpected. AC Milan were in the Champions League final.
Our game was a day before the Chelsea vs Liverpool second leg, so Milan didn't yet know which team they were about to face. However, there was only one opponent every Milanista wanted to face, and it was not Chelsea. When Liverpool defeated José Mourinho's men on penalties, I already knew we were champions.
It took two goals from Pippo Inzaghi (who sir Alex Ferguson was once quoted as saying he was born in an offside position, by the way) to confirm it. That's it, Milan made the impossible. The
Rossoneri were once again on top of Europe, for the seventh time, beating Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and non other than Liverpool on the process. The big eared trophy had returned home. Were else would it find the comfort, except in Paolo Maldini's hands?
Doesn't that seem like something you would like to remember?
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