Memorable European Confrontations, Part 28-1996 Bordeaux vs. AC Milan

Bordeaux and AC Milan were paired in the Quarterfinals of the 1995/96 UEFA Cup.

The Italian were the premier Team in European Football having won the Champions Cup (later called Champions League) three times in the previous eight years and reached the Final on two other occasions.

The squad managed by Fabio Capello had some of the best Italian players around such as Legends like Captain Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Roberto Baggio as well as the likes of Alessandro Costacurta, Christian Panucci, Roberto Donadoni, etc.

The foreign contingent included the recent 1995 Ballon d’Or, the Liberian (and former Paris St. Germain) forward George Weah, Croatian midfielder Zvonimir Boban and Yugoslavia’s Dejan Savicevic.

In the midseason they had acquired promising young French player Patrick Vieira.

The team were riding high in the League and were on their way to claim a fourth Scudetto in five seasons.

They had qualified from their opening rounds by defeating Poland’s Zaglebie Lubin (4-0, 4-1 away), France’s Strasbourg (1-0 away, 2-1 away) and Czech Republic’s Sparta Prague (2-0 home, 0-0).

In contrast, French club Bordeaux had been struggling in the League and were in the lower half of the table.

They had replaced their Manager, the Yugoslavian, Slavo Muslin with youth coach, their long serving former German defender Gernot Rohr.

Despite their struggles the team did have quality and formed a backbone with the trio of future Legend Zidane Zidane along with defender Bixente Lizarazu and striker Christophe Dugarry.

The team also included former Ajax and Barcelona midfielder and Dutch International Richard Witschge and Denmark’s Jacob Friis-Hansen.

They had advanced via the Intertoto Cup and had started the previous July.

After making their entry through the backdoor of the Intertoto Cup, Bordeaux had qualified from their opening rounds by defeating FYR Macedonia’s Vardar Skopje (0-2 away, 1-1 home), Russia’s Rotor Volgograd (2-1 home, 1-0 away) and Spain’s Real Betis (2-0 home, 1-2).

The first leg, on March 5^th, was played at Milan’s Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro).

Milan fans used to the glamour of the Champions League did not view this competition as highly and the low turn-out (just over 22, 0000) reflected that, as did some of Capello’s selections.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 87, April 1996

(Team captains, Bixente Lizarazu and Franco Baresi, March 5, 1996, UEFA Cup, AC Milan 2-Bordeaux 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2605, March 12, 1996

(Bordeaux bench with Manager Gernot Rohr and Club President Alian Affelou, March 5, 1996, UEFA Cup, AC Milan 2-Bordeaux 0)

First choice goalkeeper Sebastiano Rossi was rested and in his place Mario Ielpo started. Liberian striker George Weah was also missing.

Also missing were, the injured Demetrio Albertini and Croatian Zvonimir Boban (out because of the flu) in midfield.

Photo From: Le Livre d'or du Football 1996

(Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane, March 5, 1996, UEFA Cup, AC Milan 2-Bordeaux 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2605, March 12, 1996

(Bixente Lizarazu between Alessandro Costacurta and Franco Baresi, March 5, 1996, UEFA Cup, AC Milan 2-Bordeaux 0)

Their absence gave a rare opportunity for young French midfielder Patrick Vieira to start.

Bordeaux Manager Gernot Rohr had lowered expectations before the match and had given his team only a 10% chance of advancing. His main concern had been to leave Milan without giving up many goals.

On the pitch, Milan did the required minimum to win.

Photo From: Le Livre d'or du Football 1996

(Mario Ielpo, Richard Witschge and Alessandro Costacurta, March 5, 1996, UEFA Cup, AC Milan 2-Bordeaux 0)

Photo From: Le Livre d'or du Football 1996

(Marcel Desailly, March 5, 1996, UEFA Cup, AC Milan 2-Bordeaux 0)

In the 30^th minute, Marco Simone sent a through ball inside the box for Savicevic (back to the goal), who laid it on for Eranio to shoot past Huard.

Milan sealed the match in the 75^th minute, through a curling free kick goal by Roberto Baggio.

Milan had won without really exerting themselves and were seemingly in a comfortable lead for the second leg given their recent history.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2605, March 12, 1996

(Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane, March 5, 1996, UEFA Cup, AC Milan 2-Bordeaux 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2605, March 12, 1996

(March 5, 1996, UEFA Cup, AC Milan 2-Bordeaux 0)

Capello was dissatisfied that his team had not scored at least one more goal. He also called into question the refereeing over an offside call against Baggio.

Bordeaux had been defeated but it had not been the humiliation that many would have predicted.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2605, March 12, 1996

(Christophe Dugarry, March 5, 1996, UEFA Cup, AC Milan 2-Bordeaux 0)

Gernot Rohr was satisfied with his team’s display especially given their League position.

Christophe Dugarry felt a two goal deficit would be hard but they would do their utmost to win.

Afterwards, Bordeaux President maintained that despite financial difficulties, there was a 95% chance that Dugarry and Zidane would still remain part of the squad for next season. (In the end neither player nor Affelou himself remained for the following season).

Photo From: L’Annee du Football, 1996

(Gaetan Huard unable to stop Baggio’s free kick, March 5, 1996, UEFA Cup, AC Milan 2-Bordeaux 0)

March 5, 1996

AC (Associazione Calcio) Milan-Milano (Italy) 2- Football Club Des Girondins de Bordeaux (France) 0

UEFA Cup- Quarterfinals, First Leg

Venue: Milano -Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, San Siro

Attendance: 22,740

Referee: Vadim Zhuk (Belarus)

Goalscorers: (AC Milan): Stefano Eranio 30^th, Roberto Baggio 75^th

  (Bordeaux): None

                    

Lineups:

AC Milan:

1-Mario Ielpo, 2-Christian Panucci, 3-Paolo Maldini, 4-Patrick Vieira (France), 5-Alessandro Costacurta, 6-Franco Baresi, 7-Stefano Eranio, 8-Marcel Desailly (France), 9-Roberto Baggio, 10-Dejan Savicevic (Yugoslavia) (15-Roberto Donadoni 87^th), 11-Marco Simone (16-Paolo Di Canio 74^th)

Coach: Fabio Capello

Team Captain: Franco Baresi

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Lotto

Shirt Sponsor:  Opel

Uniform Colors: Red/Black Vertical Striped Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks

Bordeaux:

1-Gaetan Huard, 2-Geoffrey Toyes, 3-Bixente Lizarazu, 4-Laurent Croci, 5-Jean-Luc Dogon, 6-Phillipe Lucas (12-Daniel Dutuel 81^st), 7-Zinedine Zidane, 8-Jacob Friis Hansen (Denmark), 9-Anthony Bancarel, 10-Richard Witschge (Holland), 11-Christophe Dugarry (Didier Tholot 88)

Coach: Gernot Rohr (Germany)

Booked: Geoffrey Toyes 45, Laurent Croci 86

Team Captain: Bixente Lizarazu

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Asics

Shirt Sponsor: Alain Affelou

Uniform Colors: White Shirts, White Shorts, Burgundy Red Socks

The second leg, on March 19^th, was played at Bordeaux’s Stade Chaban-Delmas (Parc Lescure).

Milan were seemingly in a safe position and the match held no indications that it would become a classic in a match between the Serie A League leaders against a team in the 14^th position in the French League.

For Milan, Weah was back in the squad, along with Roberto Donadoni.

Marco Simone was out as was Dejan Savicevic. The reason for the withdrawal of Savicevic was a perceived injury. However, Salvo Muslin (Bordeaux’s Manager just a few months prior) had learned from a journalist friend in Yugoslavia that Savicevic was fit to play, but Capello had preferred to rest him for the Serie A. Incidentally Muslin was in the stands for this match, as was Prime Minister and Bordeaux Mayor Alain Juppé.

For Bordeaux, Croci was out and Friis-Hansen was moved into the defense.

Photo From: Football International, April 1996

(Team captains, Bixente Lizarazu and Franco Baresi, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: Football International, April 1996

(March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Daniel Dutuel started in midfield and Didier Tholot started upfront in place of Bancarel.

Bordeaux started from the beginning and were determined to win this match.

Milan, perhaps surprised by Bordeaux’s determination were out of sorts in this first half and had one of their worst displays.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2607, March 26, 1996

(Gaetan Huard and Paolo Maldini, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2607, March 26, 1996

(Grenet between Albertini and Donadoni, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Bordeaux took the lead in the 15^th minute. Richard Witschge switched the field with a long pass from the right to the left side to Lizarazu.

The Bordeaux Captain crossed inside the box for Tholot to tap in. Mario Ielpo attempted to stop the shot but the ball went in.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 87, April 1996

(Didier Tholot  scoring, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: L’Annee du Football, 1996

(Didier Tholot celebrating the first goal, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Just ten minutes later, Milan were dealt a blow when Eranio was injured and had to be replaced by Albertini.

At the start of the second half, Capello made a tactical switch to improve Milan’s play. He took out Baggio and put in Paolo Di Canio.

At first it appeared the change had been beneficial was Milan seemed better but Bordeaux’s relentless surge continued.

Photo From: Football International, April 1996

(March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: Football International, April 1996

(March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

In the 64^th minute, Bordeaux scored its second to tie the series.

Zidane took a free kick from the left side that took a deflection and fell for Dugarry to score from the rebound.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 110, March 1998

(Patrick Vieira and Bixente Lizarazu , March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2607, March 26, 1996

(Marcel Desailly, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2607, March 26, 1996

(March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0

Six minutes later, in the 70^th minute, Bordeaux scored its third to overcome the deficit.

Lizarazu released Zidane on the left side, who in turn tried to release Tholot but his attempt was blocked and got back to him. Zidane then slid the ball to Dugarry on the right side who shot high past Ielpo.

Photo From: Le Livre d'or du Football 1996

(Patrick Vieira and Christophe Dugarry, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: Le Livre d'or du Football 1996

(George Weah, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: L’Annee du Football, 1996

(March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Milan still had two late chances by Weah, but Bordeaux goalkeeper Gaetan Huard came to the rescue and saved the attempts.

In the end Bordeaux won deservingly to seal one of the most memorable encounters of the history of the European Cups.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 87, April 1996

(Christophe Dugarry, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 87, April 1996

(Zinedine Zidane, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 87, April 1996

(Christophe Dugarry, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Milan had not lost in Europe by three clear goals since 1978. AC Milan’s French midfielder Marcel Desailly declared afterwards that he was ashamed of their display especially in the first half. He did however emphasize that Milan had not underestimate its opponents. Desailly felt Bordeaux had played exceptionally well by pressing hard.

Veteran Belgian Manager Raymond Goethals would later remark that AC Milan would never have played in such a careless manner in the Champions League.

This result is remembered in the annals of French Football as one of the greatest performances by a French club in Europe.

It was not just overturning a deficit but it must be remembered that Berlusconi’s Milan were at the time Europe’s premier club.

Photo From: Planete Foot, April 1996

(March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: Planete Foot, April 1996

(Franco Baresi and Christophe Dugarry, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 87, April 1996

(March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Bordeaux went on to eliminate Slavia Prague in the semifinals and advanced to the Final of the UEFA Cup in May. They were overmatched in the Final by Bayern Munich and were comprehensively defeated (0-2 away, 1-3 home) to end a European adventure that had started the previous July.

That season was also the onset of the Bosman ruling and Bordeaux predictably lost its most valuable jewels.

AC Milan themselves signed Christophe Dugarry, while Zidane headed for Juventus and Lizarazu to Athletic Bilbao.

Even players such as goalkeeper Gaetan Huard and midfielder Daniel Dutuel took advantage of the new rules to move abroad.

AC Milan clinched the League title to meet its primary objective.

This would remain as one of the biggest upsets of European competitions.

March 19, 1996

Football Club Des Girondins de Bordeaux (France) 3- AC (Associazione Calcio) Milan-Milano (Italy) 0

UEFA Cup- Quarterfinals, Second Leg

Venue: Bordeaux– Stade Chaban-Delmas (Parc Lescure)

Attendance: 32,500

Referee: Ahmet Cakar (Turkey)

Goalscorers: (Bordeaux): Didier Tholt 15^th, Chritophe Dugarry 64^th, 70^th

  (AC Milan): None

                    

Lineups:

Bordeaux:

1-Gaetan Huard, 2-Geoffrey Toyes, 3-Bixente Lizarazu, 4- Jacob Friis Hansen (Denmark), 5-Jean-Luc Dogon, 6-Phillipe Lucas, 7- Zinedine Zidane, 8- Daniel Dutuel (14- François Grenet 60^th), 9-Didier Tholot (13-Joachim Fernandez 85^th), 10-Richard Witschge (Holland), 11-Christophe Dugarry

Coach: Gernot Rohr (Germany)

Booked: Christophe Dugarry 88

Other Substitutes: 15-Anthony Bancarel, 16-Lionel Perez

Team Captain: Bixente Lizarazu

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Asics

Shirt Sponsor: Alain Affelou

Uniform Colors: Burgundy Red Shirts, White Shorts, Burgundy Red Socks

AC Milan:

1-Mario Ielpo, 2-Christian Panucci, 3-Paolo Maldini, 4-Patrick Vieira (France), (15-Tomas Locatelli 71^st), 5-Alessandro Costacurta, 6-Franco Baresi, 7-Stefano Eranio (14-Demetrio Albertini 25^th), 8-Marcel Desailly (France), 9-George Weah (Liberia), 10-Roberto Baggio (16-Paolo Di Canio 46^th), 11-Roberto Donadoni

Coach: Fabio Capello

Booked: Paolo Maldini 28, Alessandro Costacurta 44, Paolo Di Canio 71

Other Substitutes: Mauro Tassoti, Massimo Ambrosini

Team Captain: Franco Baresi

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Lotto

Shirt Sponsor:  Opel

Uniform Colors: White shirts (thin red/black vertical stripe in middle), White Shorts, White Socks

References:

Football International, April 1996

France Football, Issue 2605, March 12, 1996

France Football, Issue 2607, March 26, 1996

L'Annee du Football, 1996

Le Livre d'or du Football 1996

Onze-Mondial, Issue 87, April 1996

Onze-Mondial, Issue 110, March 1998

Planete Foot, April 1996

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2607, March 26, 1996

(Bordeaux squad celebrating, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: Football International, April 1996

(Bordeaux President Alain Affelou joining the celebrations, March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 87, April 1996

(March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 87, April 1996

(March 19, 1996, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 3-AC Milan 0)