Milan's History Thread

Something that I believe quite relevant to our new season which will start in a few hours time.

Imagine this situation :

After one unsucessful season, your team replaced the highly respectful coach and in his place the club brought an unexperienced guy. In the 4 first game of the season, the club only managed to get 2 draws and 2 wins. From those 4 games, only 4 goals were scored (and conceded 2) and those came from 2 penalties and 2 own goals. In terms of signing, only 2 notable players came; a defensive midfield and an aging striker who 3-4 seasons ago finished as the league’s top scorer but unwanted by his team so he ended up in your team. To make things worse, this aging striker was loaned from your club’s bitter rival. The only positive aspect is that after 4 games the club is still on top 4 in the standing because other teams did worse.

Now let’s just say this club referred to here is AC Milan.
Would you say Milan is having a convincing season so far? Do you think Milan will eventually end up having succesful season? Knowing this forum, I believe the answer to both question will be NO along with some comments how the club made a huge mistake in trusting the young manager.

Now, if someone say AC Milan in season 91/92, what comes to our collective mind? The 12th scudetto. The unbeaten season that extended until season 92/93. MvBasten’s 25 goals. The entertaining attacking play. The 2.15 goals/game (in the last 22 years, only season 05/06 was better with 2.24 goals/game). The goal fests (5-0 vs Napoli, 5-0 vs Samp, 8-2 vs Foggia). It was a historical season and basically had everything that made some us started supporting Milan and still continue to do so.

But at the start season 91/92 if someone would predict Milan would achieve that much, nobody will believe it. Because all of the above situations that I mentioned all came from this season 91/92 which is also Fabio Capello’s first season at Milan. He liberated Milan players to play, unlike Sacchi who limited the player’s creativity and forced-feed them to play his strategy.

What we face this season is quite similar. We have a young unknown coach in Leonardo and the team is facing some uncertainty whether we can continue to be successful after Ancelotti’s reign is over. In transfer, only had Onyewu, Silva and Huntelaar as notable signings; similar to the signings of Diego Fuser and Aldo Serena from Inter. And look at the result of the first 4 games : Ascoli (A) : 0-1: OG (39); Cagliari (H): 1-0 : Van Basten (P1); Juve (A) : 1-1: OG (90); Genoa (H) : 1-1 : Van Basten (P86). We only started to take off after the 5th game and only drew 2 games out of the next 14 games.

The only major difference is the quality of players. 91/92 had the players that could still send shivers to any opposing team’s spine. Baresi, Tasotti, Maldini, Costacurta, Donadoni, Ancelotti, Rijkaard, Massaro, Fuser, Gullit, Van Basten. We also have the young Albertini in the squad. So we can safely say that the core of the team is still intact and is still very strong. In 09/10 we had what some people say ‘has-been’ players or players whose best days is nearing the end like Seedorf, Pirlo, Dida, Gattuso, Nesta, Zambrotta, Ambrosini, Ronaldinho and Inzaghi. Only Pato and the new boy Huntelaar is expected to bring fear to the opponent’s defender.

What I’m trying to mention here, let’s give this new squad and this season a try. Who knows what will happen.

phew leo will win a treble

that xl sheet is legendary

A newly revised and much updated Excel file of Milan History. Less than 3MB so it shouldn't be too hard to download. Enjoy

http://sharebee.com/56b16e68
http://www.speedyshare.com/512163341.html

gaizka22 said:

A newly revised and much updated Excel file of Milan History. Less than 3MB so it shouldn't be too hard to download. Enjoy

http://sharebee.com/56b16e68
http://www.speedyshare.com/512163341.html

Click to expand...

That's amazing work, gaizka! Thanks a lot!!!!

Serginho, Sheva, old school Dida...

third goal never ceases to amaze me

Ah the good times

hope you are alright gunnar nordahl




just remembered kuzis old sig

gaizka22 said:

A newly revised and much updated Excel file of Milan History. Less than 3MB so it shouldn't be too hard to download. Enjoy

http://sharebee.com/56b16e68
http://www.speedyshare.com/512163341.html

Click to expand...

thats too much data

i bow in front of you

gaizka22 said:

A newly revised and much updated Excel file of Milan History. Less than 3MB so it shouldn't be too hard to download. Enjoy

http://sharebee.com/56b16e68
http://www.speedyshare.com/512163341.html

Click to expand...

Thanks Dude

For those of you who have ESPN Classic Italia, from September 21st - October 2nd they are showing 10 AC Milan games from 2003, 2004, and 2005.

Sampdoria – Milan, 26/10/2003: lunedì 21 alle 23.00
Roma – Milan, 06/01/2004: martedì 22 alle 23.00
Milan – Ancona, 25/01/2004: mercoledì 23 alle 23.00
Milan – Inter, 21/02/2004: giovedì 24 alle 23.00
Juventus – Milan, 14/03/2004: venerdì 25 alle 23.00
Milan – Roma, 02/05/2004: lunedì 28 alle 23.00
Milan – Brescia, 16/05/2004: martedì 29 alle 23.00
Milan – Fiorentina, 12/12/2004: mercoledì 30 alle 23.00
Milan – Lecce, 06/01/2005: giovedì 01 alle 23.00
Milan – Udinese, 16/01/2005: venerdì 02 alle 23.00

While Rivera was our Golden Boy and got the Ballon d'or in 1969, our hero in the final was Pierino Prati. Here's that hat-trick against Ajax in 1969 final:
1-0 vs Ajax (ECC Final) 68-69
2-0 vs Ajax (ECC Final) 68-69***
4-1 vs Ajax (ECC Final) 68-69
panna vs Ajax (ECC Final) 68-69

Jasper said:

While Rivera was our Golden Boy and got the Ballon d'or in 1969, our hero in the final was Pierino Prati. Here's that hat-trick against Ajax in 1969 final:
1-0 vs Ajax (ECC Final) 68-69
2-0 vs Ajax (ECC Final) 68-69***
4-1 vs Ajax (ECC Final) 68-69
panna vs Ajax (ECC Final) 68-69

Click to expand...

I can't access the vids but there's 1 goal from the final where Rivera dribbled past the Ajax defense and goalie but waited a little bit more so that he can create an assist. Superb skill. It seemed to me he was happier making assists than scoring goals.
The goal kinda remind me of Pippo's goal in CL 07/08 vs Benfica from Pirlo's assist.

gaizka22 said:

I can't access the vids but there's 1 goal from the final where Rivera dribbled past the Ajax defense and goalie but waited a little bit more so that he can create an assist. Superb skill. It seemed to me he was happier making assists than scoring goals.
The goal kinda remind me of Pippo's goal in CL 07/08 vs Benfica from Pirlo's assist.

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Was thinking about the same thing.

That was the final goal I think. He played a one-two and dribbled past a couple of defenders and the keeper as well I think. He waited, however, because he dragged himself a little too wide and it was safer to assist than attempt a shot himself.

Can't believe that *** had the nerve to compare himself to Rivera

gaizka22 said:

I can't access the vids but there's 1 goal from the final where Rivera dribbled past the Ajax defense and goalie but waited a little bit more so that he can create an assist. Superb skill. It seemed to me he was happier making assists than scoring goals.
The goal kinda remind me of Pippo's goal in CL 07/08 vs Benfica from Pirlo's assist.

Click to expand...

Do you want the videos and can't get them or just access see them at the office?

Don't know enough about Rivera to think if he was happier scoring or assisting since all the stuff I have (seen) about him is in Italian. It has sort of similar dynamic to Pippo's goal vs Benfica but there Kaka And Pirlo made the same work Rivera did single-handedly.

Wet Ones said:

Was thinking about the same thing.

That was the final goal I think. He played a one-two and dribbled past a couple of defenders and the keeper as well I think. He waited, however, because he dragged himself a little too wide and it was safer to assist than attempt a shot himself.

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Yeah it was the last goal. And it's true he did play himself out of the position a bit(a number nine - say Vieri - would have gone for glory I think), but there are hints that diving wasn't as popular then as well.

Wet Ones said:

Can't believe that *** had the nerve to compare himself to Rivera

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Well, roughly, gaizka did it too and you 'were thinking about the same thing'.

Jasper said:

Well, roughly, gaizka did it too and you 'were thinking about the same thing'.

Click to expand...

I was thinking about that assist after you posted the goals (didn't download them like Gaiz). But in no way did Pirlo ever come into the picture for me.

And I am referring to Rivera as a whole. Not just that assist. The guy was an attacking force. He got into the box more in one game than *** did in a whole season.

Jasper said:

Do you want the videos and can't get them or just access see them at the office?
l [/I]

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Thanks, but I have the DVD of that goal. I wanted to see the video when I was replying to ur post to remind about that goal .

Wet Ones said:

I was thinking about that assist after you posted the goals (didn't download them like Gaiz). But in no way did Pirlo ever come into the picture for me.

And I am referring to Rivera as a whole. Not just that assist. The guy was an attacking force. He got into the box more in one game than *** did in a whole season.

Click to expand...

Agree with ur comment. Rivera was an attacking force and in 72/73 became the league's top scorer with 17 goals. But about the fact that Rivera went forward more often than Pirlo, don't u think it has something to do with their position in the field? Rivera plays behind the 2 strikers like Kaka while Pirlo played in front of the defense the way Ancelotti wanted him. So chances are, he's in the box less.

On the comparison between the 2, I guess any similarity is more to the slow and indirect style of play that they displayed. In fact in Pirlo's hey day in 02-04, even Rivera mentioned that Pirlo is his closest heir when it comes to style of play. The only difference is, Rivera did it for nearly 20 years while Pirlo can't even do it constantly in 3 consecutive seasons. Some of you will surely jump at this comment by saying Pirlo can't even do it for 2 consecutive games.

gaizka22 said:

Agree with ur comment. Rivera was an attacking force and in 72/73 became the league's top scorer with 17 goals. But about the fact that Rivera went forward more often than Pirlo, don't u think it has something to do with their position in the field? Rivera plays behind the 2 strikers like Kaka while Pirlo played in front of the defense the way Ancelotti wanted him. So chances are, he's in the box less.

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True. But at the same time many attacks from Rivera started deep. He'd collect the ball, pass it off, make an intelligent run, collect a pass, pass it off, in the box, pass collected, BANG!

Pirlo, to be honest, wouldn't be able to do that no matter where he plays. He needs time on the ball and he almost always needs to hit a long ball. VERY VERY one dimensional player.

gaizka22 said:

Some of you will surely jump at this comment by saying Pirlo can't even do it for 2 consecutive games.

Click to expand...

You know it's true!

Gaizka, you have that final on DVD? Black&white or in color?

Jasper said:

Gaizka, you have that final on DVD? Black&white or in color?

Click to expand...

Yes I do, it's in black & white but I have no idea how to 'cut' the segment and then post it in youtube Sorry if I can't be not much of a help here.

If u want one DVD that shows the the many finals that Milan played, chech out below link. I have it and it's great. Commentary in English.

http://cgi.ebay.com/AC-Milan-One-ce..._ray?hash=item3356075f73&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

gaizka22 said:

Yes I do, it's in black & white but I have no idea how to 'cut' the segment and then post it in youtube Sorry if I can't be not much of a help here.

If u want one DVD that shows the the many finals that Milan played, chech out below link. I have it and it's great. Commentary in English.

http://cgi.ebay.com/AC-Milan-One-ce..._ray?hash=item3356075f73&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Click to expand...

I asked because with loosing large size of my Milan*video*library I don't have it anymore. Watching stuff around the same time everything was black&white but these links were in color .... and if the uploader isn't bluffing he has the whole match. Might ask him to upload it :hmm:

legend

if only i could have watched him live

Calcio Compleanno: Gunnar Nordahl
Every weekday Goal.com celebrates the birthday of past and present Calcio-related figures. Today includes all those born on October 19...
Oct 19, 2009 8:00:00 AM

1921: Gunnar Nordahl (died 1995) – Legendary Milan striker, who earned a move to the Italian giants after nine seasons with Degerfors and Norrkoping in his native Sweden. Went on to make 257 appearances for the Rossoneri, scoring on 210 occasions. Captained the side to two Scudetti in the 1950s, and won the Capocannoniere award four times in his seven year stint with the club. Later joined Roma for a season, before coaching them for two years between 1957-1959 after his retirement. Scored 43 times in 33 matches for the Swedish national team, to sit second on their all time goal scorers list

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please make this thread sticky

Arrigo Sacchi: the man who built Milan machine?

I constantly read comments about Milan and Italian football in general from him on goal.com (he's like the Italian Cruyff) and I keep wonderomg why this man has disappeared of the radar of professional football. I mean he's 63, five years younger than Fergie and should definitely be a manager at a top team. Especially after looking at his credentials: this is a tactical mastermind of the very highest order, a true football philosopher and one of the revolutionary coaches of modern football with his ideas in the early 90ties, with his collective defensive system and proactive football. What he says here is an indicator of his understanding of the game.




“Today’s football is about managing the characteristics of individuals and that’s why you see the proliferation of specialists,” says former AC Milan coach, Arrigo Sacchi. ”The individual has trumped the collective. But it’s a sign of weakness. It’s reactive, not pro-active.”

“For example, we knew that Zidane, Raul and Figo didn’t track back, so we had to put a guy in front of the back four who would defend,” he said when talking about his stint as Real Madrid’s director of football .

“But that’s reactionary football. It doesn’t multiply the players’ qualities exponentially. Which actually is the point of tactics: to achieve this multiplier effect on the players’ abilities. In my football, the regista – the playmaker – is whoever had the ball. But if you have Makelele, he can’t do that. He doesn’t have the ideas to do it, although, of course, he’s great at winning the ball. It’s become all about specialists. Is football a collective and harmonious game? Or is it a question of putting x amount of talented players in and balancing them with y amount of specialists?”




So maybe the point of this thread is how good actually is he. That quote is from his stint as sporting director of Real Madrid in 2005, which was his last and admittedly unsuccessful adventure. He is ridiculed for bringing Tommy Gravesen to the club to solve the defensive woes that were troubling them, a true nutjob of a player which turned out to be a flop even though he looked solid to me most of the time. I admit everything I know about him was from the Madrid days and reading on the internet about his history. Which includes yet another two unsuccesful stints at Parma and Atletico, before he retired (did he officially retire?). But it also involved two CONSECUTIVE European cups and a Serie a title, and as close as one can get to a world cup victory in 1994. Yet I never see Milanistas lavishing him with respect like they do to Capello or Ancelotti, he's barely even mentioned, why is that? Where does he rank among Milan's managers in history, especially those two? Why isn't he affiliated with Milan in any way?

For those who are interested, here's a short biography of a man that IMO is a very underrated in Milan's history, especially as he was the manager who turned Milan into a truly elite club in the late 80s and early 90es.


http://www.insidefutbol.com/2008/10/21/arrigo-sacchi-man-who-built-ac-milan-machine/2112/

Moved to Milan History Thread.

Ronaldo9 said:

So maybe the point of this thread is how good actually is he. That quote is from his stint as sporting director of Real Madrid in 2005, which was his last and admittedly unsuccessful adventure. He is ridiculed for bringing Tommy Gravesen to the club to solve the defensive woes that were troubling them, a true nutjob of a player which turned out to be a flop even though he looked solid to me most of the time. I admit everything I know about him was from the Madrid days and reading on the internet about his history. Which includes yet another two unsuccesful stints at Parma and Atletico, before he retired (did he officially retire?). But it also involved two CONSECUTIVE European cups and a Serie a title, and as close as one can get to a world cup victory in 1994. Yet I never see Milanistas lavishing him with respect like they do to Capello or Ancelotti, he's barely even mentioned, why is that? Where does he rank among Milan's managers in history, especially those two? Why isn't he affiliated with Milan in any way?

http://www.insidefutbol.com/2008/10/21/arrigo-sacchi-man-who-built-ac-milan-machine/2112/

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Sacchi was a legend. However, he hapenned to make one enemy during his first spell as Milan coach (87 - 91) and that enemy was - unfortunately - Marco van Basten, which is the one true golden boy of Berlusconi. Sacchi's type of play - although brought many successes - wasn't liberating enough for the free-scoring MvB who complained publicly. He went as far as asking Berlusconi to choose between himself and Sacchi who responded by appointing Capello to replace Sacchi.

Berlusconi (who was still pretty much involved in the club day-to-day activity unlike nowadays) also felt that Sacchi's Milan - having won everything there is to win in club football - had reached its full circle and there wasn't much the team can do to improve if they have the same coach. The lost to Marseille in Champions Cup 91 and losing out the scudetto to Sampdoria were brought up as facts.

lol carlo will never ever reach sachis level, diamond formation my arse and here goes our 3-0 lead