The Soccernostalgia Interview-Part 23- Interview with Italian Author and former Freelance Journalist Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota on Vittorio Pozzo’s era as Italy National Team Manager, 1929 /30 Season)

For this interview, I start a new project as I look back at Vittorio Pozzo’s era as Italy National Team Manager, starting with the 1929/30 season.

This will be a semi-regular and continuous series.

The Interview in in English as well as Italian.

The Interviewee is:

Italian Author Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota is a former freelance journalist in Biella (Italy), living in Odense (Denmark) from 2013, working as a Language teacher.

 

He is the author of “Danmark (1908-2018)” chronicling the history of the Danish National Team.

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s contact info:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davide.rota.311

 

Link to his book:

https://www.soccer-books.co.uk/acatalog/Danmark-1908-2018-Landsholdets-Historie--Denmark-National-Team-Statistics--10493.html

 

 

 

Interview conducted in English and Italian:

 

Soccernostalgia Question: Vittorio Pozzo had previous stints as Commissario Tecnico, what was different with this appointment in 1929? Were his selection powers increased vis-a vis the FIGC?

 

Soccernostalgia Question (In Italian): Vittorio Pozzo aveva precedenti incarichi come Commissario Tecnico, cosa c'era di diverso in questa nomina nel 1929? I suoi poteri di selezione sono stati accresciuti nei confronti della FIGC?

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response: After the Olympic Games in Amsterdam, the Commissario Tecnico, Augusto Rangone was fired and replaced with a coach, Carlo Carcano, that was accepting all the orders from a “shadow”  executive member. After one year Carcano too was changed because lack of results and the Figc president, Leandro Arpinati believed that italian football needed again a full power manager. Vittorio Pozzo was not coaching but still working, on sunday, as sport journalist, in the newspaper La Stampa, from Torino. In the other days of the week he was employed in the Pirelli farm in Milano. He has no intention to return in coaching but Arpinati was very insistent and eventually Pozzo gave in, but only with the promise of not having any interference on technical choices.

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response (In Italian): Dopo le Olimpiadi di Amsterdam, che l´Italia puntava a vincere, il ct Rangone fu licenziato e rimpiazzato da Carlo Carcano, che accetto´ l´incarico pur sapendo che avrebbe dovuto fare da “prestanome” ad un dirigente rimasto nell´ombra. Dopo un anno anche Carcano fu esonerato per carenza di risultati e il presidente federale, Leandro Arpinati. credeva che il calcio italiano avesse bisogno di nuovo di un allenatore a pieni poteri. Vittorio Pozzo, in quel momento, non stava allenando ma lavorava sempre, alla domenica, come giornalista sportivo per il quotidiano La Stampa, di Torino. Negli altri giorni della settimana era impiegato alla Pirelli di Milano. Non aveva nessuna intenzione di tornare ad allenare, ma Arpinati fu davvero insistente e Pozzo accetto´, ma solo con la garanzia di non avere nessuna interferenza sulle sue scelte tecniche.

 

 

Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

(Vittorio Pozzo)

 

Soccernostalgia Question: His first match was a friendly vs. Portugal at Milan. He gave International debuts to six players: Castellazi, Bertolini, Constantino, Sallustro, Mihalic and Orsi. Incidentally Mihalic scored twice but this would be his only cap. What do you think of these debutants?

 

Soccernostalgia Question (In Italian): La sua prima partita è stata un'amichevole contro il Portogallo a Milano. Esordisce in nazionale a sei giocatori: Castellazi, Bertolini, Constantino, Sallustro, Mihalic e Orsi. Per inciso, Mihalic ha segnato una doppietta, ma questa sarebbe stata la sua unica presenza. Cosa ne pensate di questi debuttanti?

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response: Pozzo chose Castellazzi because he was in very good form in that period. Bertolini too, as a half, needed no presentation, he will win 5 masters in a row with Juventus and he will be a very important player in the World Cup 1934 success. The trio Costantino-Sallustro-Mihalic was selected from southern Italy clubs (Bari, Napoli…) especially because Pozzo wanted to show to the journalists and fans, there were also good players in the clubs from that area.

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response (In Italian): Pozzo scelse Castellazzi, perche´ in quel momento era in gran forma. Anche Bertolini, l´altro mediano, non ha bisogno di presentazioni: vincera´ 5 scudetti di fila con la Juventus e sara´ importantissimo nel successo ai Mondiali del 34. Il trio Costantino-Sallustro-Mihalic fu scelto perche´ rappresentava club del centro-sud, soprattutto perche´ Pozzo voleva dimostrare che anche nel Meridione c´erano buoni giocatori.

 

 

Photo From: La Nazionale Italiana, 1978

(Constantino, Baloncieri, Sallustro, Mihalic, Orsi, December 1, 1929, Italy 6-Portugal 1)

 

Soccernostalgia Question: Another of the debutants was the Argentine Oriundi, Raimundo Orsi. One of the stars of the 1928 Olympics, known as the ‘the Comet of Amsterdam.’ He celebrated his debut with two goals and of course would be one of the stars of the 1934 World Cup triumph. What can you say about his process to become an Oriundi and Pozzo’s role in it?

 

Soccernostalgia Question (In Italian): Un altro degli esordienti è stato l'argentino Oriundi, Raimundo Orsi. Una delle stelle delle Olimpiadi del 1928, conosciuta come la "Cometa di Amsterdam". Ha celebrato il suo debutto con due gol e, naturalmente, sarebbe stata una delle stelle del trionfo della Coppa del Mondo del 1934. Cosa puoi dire del suo processo per diventare un ruolo di Oriundi e Pozzo in esso?

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response: Orsi was selected because his parents were born in Italy and emigrated not many years before. The president Arpinati gave green light to Pozzo and Orsi was used in that game (2 goals) and many more. He was a very effective right wing, good both in crossing and scoring.

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response (In Italian): Orsi fu selezionato perche´ figlio di italiani che erano emigrati solo pochi anni prima. Il presidente Arpinati diede il benestare e Orsi fu usato in quella gara (2 goals) e in tante altre ancora. Era un´ala destra efficace sia nei cross che sottoporta.

 

 

Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

(Raimundo Orsi)

 

Soccernostalgia Question: The first match in 1930 was a friendly vs. Switzerland at Rome. The take-away was the International debuts of Giuseppe Meazza and Giovanni Ferrari. The ever-present 1934 and 1938 World Cup champions. Meazza celebrated with a double on his debut. What do you make of this match and their debuts?

 

Soccernostalgia Question (In Italian): La prima partita del 1930 fu un'amichevole contro la Svizzera a Roma. Il take away sono stati i debutti internazionali di Giuseppe Meazza e Giovanni Ferrari. Gli onnipresenti campioni della Coppa del Mondo 1934 e 1938. Meazza ha festeggiato con una doppietta all'esordio. Cosa ne pensi di questa partita e dei loro esordi?

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response: Mihalic was injured and Sallustro was completely ineffective without his mate. So Pozzo gave a chance to the best promising Italian talent. Southern italian fans in Rome were not happy about that, but Meazza silenced them with a double. Ferrari was used as right inside, but he usually played in the left. No doubts about them, the best attacking duo ever in the Italian football history.

 

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response (In Italian): Mihalic era infortunato e Pozzo pensava che Sallustro fosse completamente inefficace senza il suo compagno, cosi´ decise di cambiare due pedine in attacco e di dare una possibilita´ al piu´ promettente gioavem talento italiano del periodo. I tifosi meridionali giunti a Roma erano arrabbiati col ct, ma Meazza chiuse loro la bocca segnando due gol. Ferrari fu utilizzato come mezzala destra quando di solito giocava a sinistra. Nessun dubbio su questi due, il miglior tandem d´attacco azzurro di tutti i tempi.

 

Photo from: Die Nati, Die Geschichte der Schweizer Fussball-Nationalmanschaft, author Beat Jung, 2006

(February 9, 1930, Italy 4-Switzerland 2)

 

Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

(Meazza and Ferrari, an anecdote about Meazza’s debut, February 9, 1930, Italy 4-Switzerland 2))

 

Soccernostalgia Question: This was followed by a win over Germany in March at Frankfurt. This was Ottavio Barbieri’s last match for Italy. What was significant about this match?

 

Soccernostalgia Question (In Italian): Questa è stata seguita da una vittoria sulla Germania a marzo a Francoforte. Questa è stata l'ultima partita di Ottavio Barbieri per l'Italia. Cosa è stato significativo in questa partita?

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response: Barbieri was already 30 years old and at the end of a fantastic career (Italian champion twice with Genoa and bronze medal in the Amsterdam Olympics), but later he was still very close to Pozzo as a loyal assistant coach. In that game, Pozzo founded another pillar for his playing system, the center half Attilio Ferraris, who was more concrete and stylish.

 

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response (In Italian): Barbieri aveva ormai 30 anni ed era alla fine di una fantastica carriera, coronata da due titoli col Genoa e il bronzo olimpico di Amsterdam, ma in seguito rimase molto vicino a Pozzo come fedele assistente allenatore. In quella gara Pozzo trovo´ un pilastro per la sua futura idea di gioco, il mediano Attilio Ferraris, che era piu´ concreto che stiloso.

 

 

 

Soccernostalgia Question: An away draw vs. Holland in April was followed by the most famous win this season. Italy defeated Hungary (5-0) at Budapest as part of the Dr. Gerö Cup. In winning Italy earned its first International trophy, but more importantly Italy had suffered heavy losses vs. Hungary (1-6, 1-7) in the past. How important was this win in its historical context?

 

Soccernostalgia Question (In Italian): Un pareggio in trasferta contro l'Olanda ad aprile è stato seguito dalla vittoria più famosa di questa stagione. L'Italia ha sconfitto l'Ungheria (5-0) a Budapest nell'ambito della Coppa Dr. Gerö. Vincendo l'Italia ha guadagnato il suo primo trofeo internazionale, ma soprattutto l'Italia aveva subito pesanti sconfitte contro l'Ungheria (1-6, 1-7) in passato. Quanto è stata importante questa vittoria nel suo contesto storico?

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response: It was a real turning point. Pozzo prepared the game few days before in Tarcento, in the north east, were the team was travelling with train on the way to Budapest. Despite Rosetta´s injury (well replaced by Monzeglio) Italy played a perfect game, on the tactical view. Meazza, with three goals was man of the match. Hungary had never lost at home against Italy and the 0-5 was shocking for the Hungarians. Pitto and Magnozzi, both from Tuscany were decisive in the fights against the Hungarian center-half, Takacs II.

Italy won the dr. Gero cup for the first time. In the return trip in Italy, Pozzo damaged, unwilling, the trophy and he decided to keep that crystal fragment in his pocket as a good luck charm

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response (In Italian): Fu un vero punto di svolta. Pozzo preparo´ la partita alcuni giorni prima a Tarcento, nel Nord - Est, dove l´Italia era di passaggio per la trasferta in treno a Budapest. Nonostante l´assenza di Rosetta, ben rimpiazzato da Monzeglio, l´Italia gioco´ una gara perfetta, sul piano tattico. Meazza, con tre reti, fu il migliore in campo. L´Ungheria non aveva mai perso in casa con gli Azzurri e lo 0-5 fu traumatico. Pitto e Magnozzi, entrambi toscani, furono decisivi nei duelli con il centromediano ungherese Takacs II.

L´Italia vinse la Coppa Gero per la prima volta. Nel viaggio di ritorno in Italia, Pozzo ruppe, involntariamente, il trofeo e decise di tenere il frammento di cristallo in tasca come talismano per le seguenti gare.

 

 

Photo From: La Nazionale Italiana, 1978

(Giampiero Combi unable to stop van den Broek’s effort, April 6, 1930, Holland 1-Italy 1)

 

Soccernostalgia Question: In this win over Hungary, Meazza scored a hat-trick to justify his reputation as Italy’s top goalscorer at the time. The other important was the International debut of Eraldo Monzeglio, who started in place of Rosetta. Mozeglio would be another of the 1934 winners. Can you talk of his debut?

 

Soccernostalgia Question (In Italian): In questa vittoria sull'Ungheria, Meazza ha segnato una tripletta per giustificare la sua reputazione di capocannoniere dell'Italia dell'epoca. L'altro importante è stato il debutto internazionale di Eraldo Monzeglio, che ha esordito al posto di Rosetta. Mozeglio sarebbe stato un altro dei vincitori del 1934. Ci puoi parlare del suo debutto?

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response: Pozzo said that Monzeglio played an impeccable game and that he had not made Rosetta regret in any way.

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response (In Italian): Pozzo disse che Monzeglio aveva disputato una prova impeccabile, senza avere fatto rimpiangere in alcun modo il titolare Rosetta.

 

 

Photo From: La Nazionale Italiana, 1978

(May 11, 1930, Dr. Gerö Cup, Hungary 0-Italy 5)

Soccernostalgia Question: There is a story about this win over Hungary, at one point Magnozzi asked Pitto: “Di, Alfredo, ma e proprio vero che vinciamo per due…per tre…per quattro….per cinque a zero?”

Pitto responded: “Si, si, e vero!”and both congratulated one another. Do you know of this?

 

Soccernostalgia Question (In Italian): C'è una storia su questa vittoria sull'Ungheria, a un certo punto Magnozzi ha chiesto a Pitto: “Di, Alfredo, ma e proprio vero che vinciamo per due…per tre…per quattro….per cinque a zero?”

Pitto ha risposto: “Si, si, e vero!” ed entrambi si sono congratulati a vicenda. Lo sai?

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response: I did not know that, but is sure that both were players with a good sense of humor, so it could have happened.

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response (In Italian): Non conoscevo l´episodio, ma entrambi avevano un ottimo senso dell´umore, quindi non escludo che sia successo.

 

 

Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

(Italian squad at Budapest ahead of the match)

 

Soccernostalgia Question: This first season ended on a disappointing note as Italy were defeated at Bologna vs. Spain (2-3). Italy’s hero of the 1920s, Adolfo Baloncieri played his last match for the Azzurri. How was this loss regarded at the time?

 

Soccernostalgia Question (In Italian): Questa prima stagione si è conclusa con una nota deludente quando l'Italia è stata sconfitta a Bologna contro la Spagna (2-3). Eroe italiano degli anni '20, Adolfo Baloncieri ha giocato la sua ultima partita con gli Azzurri. Come era considerata questa perdita all'epoca?

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response: Not a very important loss. Italian players were at the end of a long season and they did not prepare adequately that friendly game. Spain had mere motivations and scored the two decisive goals in the last minutes. Pozzo later regretted to have accepted to play that game.

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response (In Italian): Non una sconfitta cosi´ importante. I giocatori italiani erano alla fine di una lunga e stancante stagione e non prepararono al meglio quella gara amichevole. La Spagna aveva maggiori motivazioni e segno´ le due reti decisive nei minuti finali. Pozzo in seguito rimpianse di aver accettato di giocare quella partita.

 

 

Photo From: La Nazionale Italiana, 1978

(June 22, 1930, Italy 2-Spain 3)

 

Soccernostalgia Question: In this first season, his defensive trident of Juventus was ever- present: Combi, Rosetta and Caligaris. Rosetta and Caligaris would fade from contention only at the start of the 1934 World Cup. How important was this trio in Pozzo’s early days?

 

Soccernostalgia Question (In Italian): In questa prima stagione il suo tridente difensivo della Juventus era sempre presente: Combi, Rosetta e Caligaris. Rosetta e Caligaris svaniranno dalla contesa solo all'inizio della Coppa del Mondo del 1934. Quanto contava questo trio agli albori di Pozzo?

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response: It was very important, decisive, because they were from the same club. Sometimes they communicated in Piemonte´s dialect. They knew each other by heart.

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response (In Italian): Fu un terzetto difensivo importante e solido, perche´ giocavano nello stesso club. Qualche volta comunicavano addirittura in dialetto piemontese. Si conoscevano a memoria.

 

 

 

Soccernostalgia Question: In closing, were the foundations of the 1934 laid in this season?

 

Soccernostalgia Question (In Italian): In conclusione, sono state poste le basi del 1934 in questa stagione?

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response: Certainly! The foundations were laid, Italy finally had a plenipotentiary, charismatic, competent coach who knew perfectly the players he chose.

 

Mr. Davide Eskelund Rota’s response (In Italian): Sicuramente! Furono poste le basi perche´ l´Italia aveva finalmente un pluripotenziario, carismatico, competente allenatore che conosceva perfettamente i giocatori che sceglieva.

Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast-Episode 69 (Interview with Mr. Franco Spicciariello on Italian Serie A 1984/85 Season)

This is the 69^th episode of my podcast with Mr. Paul Whittle of https://the1888letter.com/, @1888letter.

For this episode, we continue our interview series with Mr. Franco Spicciariello as we discuss the Italian Serie A season of 1984/85 season.

 

Mr. Spicciariello who will be our guest for the continuation of these series. He has in the past written for the prestigious Magazine Guerin Sportivo for ten years.

 

 

For any questions/comments, you may contact us:

You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.

Mr. Paul Whittle, @1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/

You may also follow the podcast on spotify and now on Google podcasts,  Apple podcasts and stitcher all under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’

Please leave a review, rate and subscribe if you like the podcast.

Mr. Spicciariello’s contact info:

twitter: @spicciar

 

Link to Mr. Paul Whittle’s book (Before the Premier League: A History of the Football League's Last Decades):

https://the1888letter.com/book-before-the-premier-league/

http://www.wibblepublishing.com/bpl.html

 

 

Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts / Google Podcasts / Stitcher:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1vJINfy1SfpVjBy8QyL5q0?si=y5-OdbhSQfqMWOcHPf2Khg&nd=1

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast/id1601074369?i=1000558830508

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS84MzgyNzMucnNz/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xMDUxMjYyMA==

https://www.stitcher.com/show/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast/episode/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-69-interview-with-mr-franco-spicciariello-on-italian-serie-a-1984-85-season-202703871

Compendium to The Soccernostalgia Interview-Part 22-Matches of AC Milan in the Champions Cup, 1988/89 season.

 

AC Milan Matches during the Champions Cup, 1988/89 Season:

September 7, 1988, Sofia, Vitosha Sofia 0-AC Milan 2 (Pietro Paolo Virdis 18, Ruud Gullit 76)

October 6, 1988, Milan, AC Milan 5-Vitosha Sofia 2 (Marco van Basten 2, 13, 42, 83, Pietro Paolo Virdis 62 / Sasho Nachev 29, Nikolay Iliev 73)

October 26, 1988, Milan, AC Milan 1-Red Star Belgrade 1 (Pietro Paolo Virdis 48 / Dragan Stojkovic 47)

November 10, 1988, Belgrade, Red Star Belgrade 1-AC Milan 1 (Dragan Stojkovic 38 / Marco Van Basten 34) (AC Milan won 4-2 on penalty kick shoot-out)

March 1, 1989, Bremen, Werder Bremen 0-AC Milan 0 (-)

March 15, 1989, Milan, AC Milan 1-Werder Bremen 0 (Marco van Basten 32pen)

April 5, 1989, Madris, Real Madrid 1-AC Milan 1 (Hugo Sanchez 41 / Marco van Basten 78)

April 19, 1989, Milan, AC Milan 5-Real Madrid 0 (Carlo Ancelotti 19, Frank Rijkaard 27, Ruud Gullit 45, Marco Van Basten 49, Roberto Donadoni 60)

May 24, 1989, Barcelona, Spain, AC Milan 4-Steaua Bucharest 0 (Ruud Gullit 18, 39, Marco van Basten 28, 47)

 

 

 

 

Date: September 7, 1988

Competition: Champions Cup-First Round, First Leg

Result: Fudbalski Klub Vitosha –Sofia (Bulgaria) 0-Associazione Calcio Milan-Milano (Italy) 2

Venue: Sofia-Gerema

Attendance: 32,500

Referee: Michalis Germanakos (Greece)

Kick-off time: -

Goalscorers:

(Vitosha): None

(AC Milan):  Pietro Paolo Virdis 18, Ruud Gullit 76

Lineups:

Vitosha:

Borislav Mihailov, Krasimir Koev, Yordan Murlev, Dinko Gospodinov, Nikolai Iliev, Emil Velev, Vassil Dragolov, Georgi Donkov (Rosen Krumov 60), Petar Kurdov (Petar Petrov 41), Georgi Yordanov, Bozhidar Iskrenov

 

Coach: Vassil Metodiev

 

Team Captain: -

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Shirt Sponsor: None

Uniform Colors: Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts, Blue Socks

 

 

AC Milan:

Giovanni Galli, Mauro Tassotti, Paolo Maldini, Angelo Colombo, Filippo Galli, Alessandro Costacurta, Roberto Donadoni (Roberto Mussi 88), Frank Rijkaard (Holland), Marco Van Basten (Holland), Alberigo Evani, Pietro Paolo Virdis (Ruud Gullit (Holland) 69)

 

Coach: Arrigo Sacchi

Booked: Paolo Maldini

 

Team Captain: -

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Kappa

Shirt Sponsor: Mediolanum

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

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 711 (Number 37), September 14-20, 1988

(September 7, 1988, Champions Cup, Vitosha Sofia 0-AC Milan 2)

Date: October 6, 1988

Competition: Champions Cup-First Round, Second Leg

Result: Associazione Calcio Milan-Milano (Italy) 5-Fudbalski Klub Vitosha –Sofia (Bulgaria) 2

Venue: Milano-Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, San Siro

Attendance: 53,086

Referee: Joseph Worrall (England)

Kick-off time: -

Goalscorers:

(AC Milan):  Marco Van Basten 2, 13, 42, 83, Pietro Paolo Virdis 62

(Vitosha): Sasho Nachev 29, Nikolay Iliev 73

Lineups:

AC Milan:

Giovanni Galli, Mauro Tassotti, Roberto Mussi, Angelo Colombo (Christian Lantignotti 76), Filippo, Franco Baresi, Roberto Donadoni, Carlo Ancelotti, Marco Van Basten (Holland), Frank Rijkaard (Holland), Pietro Paolo Virdis (Massimilano  Cappellini 69)

 

Coach: Arrigo Sacchi

 

Team Captain: Franco Baresi

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Kappa

Shirt Sponsor: Mediolanum

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

 

Vitosha:

Borislav Mihailov, Stoil Georgiev, Yordan Murlev, Petar Petrov, Nikolai Iliev, Georgi Slavchev (Krasimir Koev 69), Vassil Dragolov, Sasho Nachev, Emil Velev (Nikolai Kostov 76), Georgi Yordanov, Rosen Krumov

 

Coach: Vassil Metodiev

 

Team Captain: -

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Shirt Sponsor: None

Uniform Colors: Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts, Blue Socks

 Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 715 (Number 41), October 12-18, 1988

(October 6, 1988, Champions Cup, AC Milan 5- Vitosha Sofia 2)

 Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 715 (Number 41), October 12-18, 1988

(October 6, 1988, Champions Cup, AC Milan 5- Vitosha Sofia 2)

Date: October 26, 1988

Competition: Champions Cup-Second Round, First Leg

Result: Associazione Calcio Milan-Milano (Italy) 1- Fudbalski Klub Crvena zvezda (Red Star) -Beograd (Yugoslavia) 1

Venue: Milano-Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, San Siro

Attendance: 71,316

Referee: Siegfried Kirschen (East Germany)

Kick-off time: -

Goalscorers:

(AC Milan):  Pietro Paolo Virdis 48

(Red Star Belgrade): Dragan Stojkovic 47

Lineups:

AC Milan:

Giovanni Galli, Roberto Mussi, Paolo Maldini, Angelo Colombo, Mauro Tassotti, Franco Baresi, Roberto Donadoni, Carlo Ancelotti, Marco Van Basten (Holland), Frank Rijkaard (Holland), Pietro Pietro Virdis (Ruud Gullit (Holland) 58)

Coach: Arrigo Sacchi

Booked: Franco Baresi, Carlo Ancelotti

 

Team Captain: Franco Baresi

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Kappa

Shirt Sponsor: Mediolanum

Uniform Colors: White Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks

 

Red Star Belgrade:

Stevan Stojanović, Milan Ivanović, Goran Vasilijević, Refik Sabanadzovic (Zarko Djurovic 89), Slavko Radovanovic, Goran Juric, Enes Besic, Ilija Najdoski, Milos Bursac, Dragan Stojkovic, Dejan Savicevic (Mitar Mrkela 65)

 

Coach: Branko Stankovic

Booked: Ilija Najdoski, Slavko Radovanovic

 

Team Captain: -

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Puma

Shirt Sponsor: ?

Uniform Colors: Red/White Vertical striped  Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 718 (Number 44), November 1-8, 1988

(October 26, 1988, Champions Cup, AC Milan 1-Red Star Belgrade 1)

Date: November 9, 1988

Competition: Champions Cup-Second Round, Second Leg

Result: Fudbalski Klub Crvena zvezda (Red Star) -Beograd (Yugoslavia) 1-Associazione Calcio Milan-Milano (Italy) 0

Venue: Belgrade, Stadion Crvene Zvezde (Red Star)- Marakana

Attendance: -

Referee: Dieter Pauly (West Germany)

Kick-off time: -

Goalscorers:

(Red Star Belgrade): Dejan Savicevic 50

(AC Milan):  None

Lineups:

Red Star Belgrade:

Stevan Stojanovic, Ilija Najdoski, Goran Vasilljevic, Refik Sabanadzovic, Slavko Radovanovic, Goran Juric, Milan Ivanovic, Dejan Savicevic, Milos Bursac, Dragan Stojkovic, Zarko Djurovic

 

Coach: Branko Stankovic

 

Team Captain: -

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Puma

Shirt Sponsor: ?

Uniform Colors: Red/White Vertical striped  Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks

 

AC Milan:

Giovanni Galli, Mauro Tassotti, Paolo Maldini, Angelo Colombo, Frank Rijkaard (Holland), Franco Baresi, Roberto Donadoni, Carlo Ancelotti, Marco Van Basten (Holland), Alberigo Evani, Pietro Paolo Virdis

 

Coach: Arrigo Sacchi

 

Team Captain: Franco Baresi

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Kappa

Shirt Sponsor: Mediolanum

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

Note:

1-Match abandoned in the 57^th minute due to the fog.

2-In another source Graziano mannaric started in place of Virdis for AC Milan.

Date: November 10, 1988

Competition: Champions Cup-Second Round, Second Leg

Result: Fudbalski Klub Crvena zvezda (Red Star) -Beograd (Yugoslavia) 1-Associazione Calcio Milan-Milano (Italy) 1 (AC Milan won 4-2 on penalty kick shoot-out)

Venue: Belgrade, Stadion Crvene Zvezde (Red Star)- Marakana

Attendance: 88,500

Referee: Dieter Pauly (West Germany)

Kick-off time: -

Goalscorers:

(Red Star Belgrade): Dragan Stojkovic 38

(AC Milan):  Marco Van Basten 34

Penalty kick sequence:

Red Star: 1:0 Dragan Stojković, 2:1 Robert Prosinečki, 2:2 Dejan Savićević (missed), 2:3 Mitar Mrkela (missed)

AC Milan: 1:1 Franco Baresi, 2:2 Marco van Basten, 2:3 Alberigo Evani, 2:4 Frank Rijkaard

Lineups:

Red Star Belgrade:

Stevan Stojanovic, Ilija Najdoski, Goran Vasilljevic, Refik Sabanadzovic, Slavko Radovanovic, Goran Juric, Milan Ivanovic, Dejan Savicevic, Milos Bursac (Mitar Mrkela 51), Dragan Stojkovic, Zarko Djurovic (Robert Prosinecki 73)

 

Coach: Branko Stankovic

 

Team Captain: -

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Puma

Shirt Sponsor: ?

Uniform Colors: Red/White Vertical striped Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks

 

AC Milan:

Giovanni Galli, Mauro Tassotti, Paolo Maldini, Frank Rijkaard (Holland), Alessandro Costacurta, Franco Baresi, Roberto Donadoni (Ruud Gullit (Holland) 45), Angelo Colombo, Marco Van Basten (Holland), Alberigo Evani, Graziano Mannari (Massimiliano Cappellini 115)

 

Team Captain: Franco Baresi

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Kappa

Shirt Sponsor: Mediolanum

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

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 720 (Number 46), November 15-22, 1988

(November 10, 1988, Champions Cup, Red Star Belgrade 1-AC Milan 1)

 

Date: March 1, 1989

Competition: Champions Cup-Quarterfinals, First Leg

Result: Sport Verein Werder Bremen von 1899 e.V. (West Germany) 0-Associazione Calcio Milan-Milano (Italy) 0

Venue: Bremen, Weserstadion

Attendance: 39,500

Referee: José Rosa dos Santos (Portugal)

Kick-off time: -

Goalscorers:

(Werder Bremen): None

(AC Milan): None

Lineups:

Werder Bremen:

Oliver Reck - Thomas Schaaf, Jonny Otten, Rune Bratseth (Norway), Michael Kutzop,Günter Hermann, Frank Ordenewitz, Miroslav 'Mirko' Votava, Karlheinz Riedle, Frank Neubarth, Norbert Meier, 

Coach: Otto Rehhagel

Booked: Karlheinz Riedle 38, Frank Ordenewitz 49

 

Team Captain: Miroslav 'Mirko' Votava

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Puma

Shirt Sponsor: Portas

Uniform Colors: White Shirts, Green Shorts, White Socks

 

AC Milan:

Giovanni Galli, Mauro Tassotti, Alessandro Costacurta, Angelo Colombo, Frank Rijkaard (Holland), Franco Baresi, Roberto Donadoni, Carlo Ancelotti, Marco Van Basten (Holland), Ruud Gullit (Holland), Alberigo Evani

 

Coach: Arrigo Sacchi

Booked: Frank Rijkaard 41

 

Team Captain: Franco Baresi

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Kappa

Shirt Sponsor: Mediolanum

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

Photo From: Guerin
Sportivo, Issue 735 (Number 10), March 8-14, 1989

(March 1, 1989, Champions Cup, Werder Bremen 0-AC Milan 0)

Date: March 15, 1989

Competition: Champions Cup-Quarterfinals, First Leg

Result: Associazione Calcio Milan-Milano (Italy) 1-Sport Verein Werder Bremen von 1899 e.V. (West Germany) 0

Venue: Milano-Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, San Siro

Attendance:  71,207

Referee: George Brian Smith (Sotland)

Kick-off time: -

Goalscorers:

(AC Milan): Marco van Basten 32pen

(Werder Bremen): None

Lineups:

AC Milan:

Giovanni Galli, Mauro Tassotti, Paolo Maldini, Angelo Colombo (Alessandro Costacurta 89), Frank Rijkaard (Holland), Franco Baresi, Roberto Donadoni, Carlo Ancelotti, Marco Van Basten (Holland), Ruud Gullit (Holland), Alberigo Evani

Coach: Arrigo Sacchi

 

Team Captain: Franco Baresi

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Kappa

Shirt Sponsor: Mediolanum

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

 

Werder Bremen:

Oliver Reck, Günter Hermann, Jonny Otten, Rune Bratseth (Norway), Gunnar Sauer,Ulrich 'Uli' Borowka (Christoph Hanses 72), Thomas Wolter, Miroslav 'Mirko' Votava, Frank Ordenewitz (Manfred Burgsmüller 65), Frank Neubarth, Norbert Meier 

Coach: Otto Rehhagel

Booked: Oliver Reck, Gunnar Sauer, Miroslav 'Mirko' Votava, Norbert Meier

 

Team Captain: Miroslav 'Mirko' Votava

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Puma

Shirt Sponsor: Portas

Uniform Colors: White Shirts, Green Shorts, White Socks

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 737 (Number 12-13), March 22- April 4, 1989

(March 15, 1989, Champions Cup, AC Milan 1-Werder Bremen 0)

Date: April 5, 1989

Competition: Champions Cup- Semi Finals, First Leg   

Result: Real Madrid Club de Fútbol (Spain) 1- Associazione Calcio Milan-Milano (Italy) 1

Venue: Madrid- Estadio Santiago Bernabéu    

Attendance: 95,000

Referee: Erik Frederiksson (Sweden)

Kick-off time: -

Goalscorers:

(Real Madrid): Hugo Sanchez 41

(AC Milan): Marco van Basten 78

Lineups:

Real Madrid:

1-Francisco Buyo, 2-Miguel Chendo, 5-Manuel Sanchis, 10-Ricardo Gallego, 3-Miguel Tendillo, 8-Bernd Schuster (West Germany), 4-Michel (16-Francisco Llorente 82), 11-Rafael Martin Vasquez, 6-Rafael Gordillo, 7-Emilio Butragueno, 9-Hugo Sanchez (Mexico)

 

Coach: Leo Beenhakker (Holland)

Other Substitutes:

12-Jesus Solana, 13-Agustin, 14-Esteban, 15-Adolfo Aldana

 

Team Captain: Ricardo Gallego

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Hummel

Shirt Sponsor: Parmalat

Uniform Colors: White Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks

 

AC Milan:

1-Giovanni Galli, 2-Mauro Tassoti, 5-Frank Rijkaard (Holland), 6-Franco Baresi, 3-Paolo Maldini, 4-Angelo Colombo (13-Alessandro Costacurta 89), 7-Roberto Donadoni, 8-Carlo Ancelotti,11-Alberigo Evani, 10-Ruud Gullit (Holland) (16-Pietro Paolo Virdis 77), 9-Marco Van Basten (Holland)

 

Coach: Arrigo Sacchi

Booked: Tassoti 53

Other Substitutes:

12-Davide Pinato, 14-Roberto Mussi, 15-Fabio Viviani

 

Team Captain: Franco Baresi

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Kappa

Shirt Sponsor: Mediolanum

Uniform Colors: Red/Black Vertical striped Shirts, Black Shorts, Black Socks

Note:

1-For more detail, See:

http://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2012/06/memorable-european-confrontations-part.html

Photo From: Guerin
Sportivo, Issue 739 (Number 15), April 12-18, 1989 

(April 5, 1989, Champions Cup, Real Madrid 1-AC Milan 1)

Photo From: Guerin
Sportivo, Issue 739 (Number 15), April 12-18, 1989 

(April 5, 1989, Champions Cup, Real Madrid 1-AC Milan 1)

Photo From: Guerin
Sportivo, Issue 739 (Number 15), April 12-18, 1989 

(April 5, 1989, Champions Cup, Real Madrid 1-AC Milan 1)

Date: April 19, 1989

Competition: Champions Cup- Semi Finals, Second Leg

Result: Associazione Calcio Milan-Milano (Italy) 5-Real Madrid Club de Fútbol (Spain) 0

Venue: Milano-Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, San Siro

Attendance: 70,000

Referee: Alex Ponnet (Belgium)

Kick-off time: -

Goalscorers:

(AC Milan): Carlo Ancelotti 19, Frank Rijkaard 27, Ruud Gullit 45, Marco Van Basten 49, Roberto Donadoni 60

(Real Madrid): None

Lineups:

AC Milan:

1-Giovanni Galli, 2-Mauro Tassoti, 5-Alessandro Costacurta, 6-Franco Baresi, 3-Paolo Maldini, 4-Angelo Colombo (13-Fillipo Galli 63), 8-Frank Rijkaard (Holland), 11-Carlo Ancelotti, 7-Roberto Donadoni, 9- Marco Van Basten (Holland), 10-Ruud Gullit (Holland) (16-Pietro Paolo Virdis 57)

 

Coach: Arrigo Sacchi

 

Team Captain: Franco Baresi

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Kappa

Shirt Sponsor: Mediolanum

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

 

 

Real Madrid:

1-Francisco Buyo, 2-Miguel Chendo, 5-Manuel Sanchis, 10-Ricardo Gallego, 3-Rafael Gordillo, 11-Rafael Martin Vasquez, 4-Michel, 8-Bernd Schuster (West Germany), 7-Emilio Butragueno, 9-Hugo Sanchez (Mexico), 6-Francisco Llorente

 

Coach: Leo Beenhakker (Holland)

Booked: Hugo Sanchez 4

 

Team Captain: Ricardo Gallego

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Hummel

Shirt Sponsor: Parmalat

Uniform Colors: Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts, Blue Socks

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 741 (Number 17), April 26-May 2, 1989

(April 19, 1989, Champions Cup, AC Milan 5-Real Madrid 0)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 741 (Number 17), April 26-May 2, 1989

(April 19, 1989, Champions Cup, AC Milan 5-Real Madrid 0)

Date: May 24, 1989

Competition: Champions Cup-Final

Result: Associazione Calcio Milan-Milano (Italy) 4- Clubul Sportiv al Armatei Steaua- Bucuresti (Romania) 0

Venue: Barcelona, Camp Nou, Spain

Attendance: 97,000

Referee: Karl-Heinz Tritschler (West Germany)

Linesmen: Werner Fockler and Eugen Strigel (West Germany)

Kick-off time: -

Goalscorers:

(AC Milan):  Ruud Gullit 18, 39, Marco Van Basten 28, 47

(Steaua Bucharest): None

Lineups:

AC Milan:

1-Giovanni Galli; 2-Mauro Tassotti, 6-Franco Baresi, 5-Alessandro Costacurta (13-Filippo Galli 74), 3-Paolo Maldini, 4-Angelo Colombo, 8-Frank Rijkaard (Holland), 7-Roberto Donadoni, 11-Carlo Ancelotti, 10-Ruud Gullit (Holland) (16-Pietro Paolo Virdis 60), 9-Marco Van Basten (Holland)

Coach: Arrigo Sacchi

Booked: Franco Baresi 48

Other Substitutes:

12-Davide Pinato, 14-Roberto Mussi, 15-Alberigo Evani

 

Team Captain: Franco Baresi

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Kappa

Shirt Sponsor: No sponsor on kits for the final (but normally Mediolanum)

Uniform Colors: White Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks

 

Steaua Bucharest:

1-Silviu Lung; 2-Dan Petrescu, 4-Adrian Bumbescu, 6-Stefan Iovan, 3-Nicolae Ungureanu, 8-Daniel Minea, 10-Gheorghe Hagi, 5-Tudorel Stoica, 11-Iosif Rotariu (14-Gavril Balint 46), 7-Marius Lacatus, 9-Victor Piturca

Coach: Anghel Iordanescu

Other Substitutes:

12-Gheorge Liliac, 13-Petre Bunaciu, 15-Lucian Balan, 16-Adrian Negrau

 

Team Captain: Tudorel Stoica

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Shirt Sponsor: None

Uniform Colors: Dark Blue Shirts, Light Blue Shorts, Light Blue Socks

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2251, May 30, 1989

(May 24, 1989, Champions Cup, AC Milan 4-Steaua Bucharest 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2251, May 30, 1989

(May 24, 1989, Champions Cup, AC Milan 4-Steaua Bucharest 0)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 746 (Number 22), May 31-June 6, 1989

(May 24, 1989, Champions Cup, AC Milan 4-Steaua Bucharest 0)