This weeks Euroscore spotlight takes us to Italy for a look at AC Milan. Formed in December 1899, some nine years before rivals Internazionale, it makes them the oldest club in the city. So, at the risk of incurring the wrath of all you Nerazzuri out there, we start with AC Milan. Inter will follow shortly!
Founded by British expatriates Herbert Kiplin and Alfred Edwards, as Milan Cricket and Football Club, they have gone on to become one of the world’s most successful clubs. This is particularly the case in international competitions. Due to the influence of its British founders the new club retained the English spelling of the city they made their home. This was in preference to the correct Italian, Milano.
The club chose red and black as the official colours. By the time Inter were formed in 1908 Milan had already won three national league titles. FC Internazionale Milano came about following a disagreement at board level within the older Milan club. The dispute centred around the signing of foreign players. Once formed Inter chose blue and black stripes and became instant rivals.
Milan’s progress between the wars was relatively slow. In 1919 they changed their name to a more streamlined Milan Football Club. In 1938 Italy’s Fascist government imposed the Italianised title Associazione Calcio to the club’s title, therefore becoming AC Milan.
Success followed the war when they won the Scudetto, Italian League Championship, in 1951. It was their first such trophy for 44 years. The team prepared the way for this by beating Juventus away in Turin 7-1 the previous year. AC Milan were fast becoming a team to fear.
Further titles followed in 1955, 1957, and 1959. Two domestic cups were also added in 1951, and 1956. In 1961 they signed goal scoring sensation Jimmy Greaves from London club Chelsea. Despite scoring nine goals in 14 games, he failed to settle and was allowed to leave for Tottenham Hotspur.
In 1962 they won the championship again and this trophy more than any other signalled their development into respected opponents on the international stage. Included in the team were the majestic midfielder Gianni Rivera, who will be the subject of a Euroscore Past Legends feature very shortly.
Also in the side was forward Jose Altafini. It was with the help of his goals, often in crucial matches, that saw Milan win their first European Cup beating Benfica 2-1. It was the first time that the coveted trophy had been brought back to Italy. Meanwhile the rivalry with Inter grew especially as they were enjoying a period of success under legendary manager Helenio Herrera.
Article comments
1 - Dr Dreadful
If you're going to do a feature on Rivera I hope you eventually get around to doing one on Paolo Maldini as well. One of the best defenders ever to play the game.
2 - Jeff
Dear Dr. , of course - most definately ! Maldini is an incredible example to any young player and one of the most consistent defenders in the history of the game. There is no specific order in this and nothing should be read into who comes first.
Jeff
3 - alessandro
Maldini is indeed all class but I would submit that Franco Baresi was the greatest (and last I believe) great sweeper (libero,)
Rivera the regista. I know Italians were divided with him. He wasn't the most physical player but was creative and influential as Jeff aptly points out.
4 - Dr Dreadful
I know, Jeff. I realize you're just getting started with this column, and it's great that we've finally got someone writing regularly for BC about proper football (!), and I look forward to reading whatever it is you've got lined up next.
Alessandro - yes, Baresi, another great defender. If there's one thing the Italians have always done well (often too well!) it's defence.
And yet... Italy also produced one of the greatest strikers in the history of the game - Paolo Rossi.
5 - Douglas Mays
Dr, speaking of great defenders, do you remember some cat that played for the French team (when they had the World Cup) named Thuram (I think).
I just remember him as the toughest one on one take away artist I have ever seen. there was no way anyone was going to get around him...
defense, what you must climb over to get into de game.....
DM
6 - alessandro
Douglas,
Thuram was a monster and a bedrock for Juventus. Wonderful player. Of course, Beckenbauer is often credited with inventing the "sweeper" and is one of the greatest footballer players ever: period.
Doc, yes. It's often overlooked, but Italy has indeed produced great strikers: Piola, Sandro and Giuseppe Meazza, Vieri, Mancini, Baggio, Totti, Toni, del Piero, Inzaghi, Boniperti, Boninsegna, Riva and on. They can play offensively when needed.
Personally, teams that play either offense or defense to perfection is poetry. Whether it's the 49ers or Packers/Steelers; Devils or Red Wings; Pistons or Lakers/Celtics, baseball teams that rely on pitching and the so-called fundamentals or just pure hitting - I love that split.
7 - alessandro
By the way, we shouldn't forget the Swedish contribution of the Gre-No-Li line made up of Gunnar Gren, Gunnar Nordahl and Nils Liedholm in the 1950s. The trio preceded the great Dutch influence of Rijkaard, van Basten and Gullit. Nordahl in particular is the second highest scorer in Serie A history.