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| Gianni Rivera, the Maldini's and Baresi |
Please also see my All-Time World Cup Team Index.
AC Milan All-Time Team Under Silvio Berlusconi
AC Milan Brazilian Best XI
AC Milan All-Time Foreign Player Team
AC Milan
This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for AC Milan s Italian players. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League.
Nicknamed "I Rossoneri", AC Milan is the second most successful club after Real Madrid in Europe. At the time of writing, they have won the Euorpean Cup/Champions' league 7 times. They have a strong team in the 1960's, winning the 1963 and 1969. After many years of failure in the 1970's and early 1980's, Silvio Berlusconi bought the club in 1986. He turned the club into a dynasty. The Dutch trio of Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard combined with the backbone of the Italian national team to form one of the greatest club sides in history. The team was still full of Italian players such as Franc Baresi, Paulo Maldini, Sebastiano Rossi, Mauro Tassotti, etc.
Team
GK: Lorenzo BuffonLorenzo Buffon was one of the best keepers in the 1950's and early 1960's. He helped AC Milan to reach the Final of the 1958 European Cup Final. He also played for Genoa C.F.C. (1959–60), F.C. Internazionale Milano (1960–63), and ACF Fiorentina (1963–64). His cousin is Gianluigi Buffon's Grandfather. He had 15 caps and went to the 1962 World Cup Finals. He is also remembered for his marriage to the late Italian actress and television personality Edy Campagnoli.
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| Lorenzo Buffon |
During a 21-year professional career, Rossi appeared in 346 Serie A games, most notably representing A.C. Milan (12 seasons) with which he won 12 major titles, including the 1994 Champions League. Rossi held the record for the longest streak without conceding a goal in Serie A history. In an 11-match span, he kept a clean sheet for 929 consecutive minutes. He was never capped by Italy.
GK: Fabio Cudicini
Cudicini played Udinese, Roma, AC Milan and Brescia. He was remembered for his two stints with AC Milan. Between 1967 and 1972, he played for AC Milan. He helped Milan to win the 1969 European Cup. Before Milan, he won the Inter-Cities Fair Cup with Roma. His son is Carlo Cudicini. He was uncapped because he was playing the same generation with Dino Zoff, Lozenzo Buffon and Enrico Albertosi
RB: Mauro Tassotti
After making his Serie A debut with Lazio, Mauro Tassotti went on to play with Milan for 17 years. He won 17 major titles with Milan, including five Serie A championships and three UEFA Champions League tournaments, reaching five finals in total. He was a part of both Arrigo Sacchi's and Fabio Capello's AC Milan. He also went to the WC in 1994, where Italy came second.
RB: Angelo Anquilletti
Anquiletti started his career with Solbiatese during the 1964–65 season. He later played with Atalanta. From 1966 to 1977 played for A.C. Milan, where he achieved notable success, forming an impressive defensive unit nicknamed the Maginot Line. He was notably part of their European Cup victory in 1969. He ended his career with Monza. He played twice for Italy in 1969. He was part of Italy's UEFA Euro 1968 squad that won the tournament on home soil.
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| Angelo Anquilletti |
Cesare Maldini spent 12 seasons with AC Milan. He was the captain of the 1963 European Cup winning team. He also played for Torino. He also played for Triestina and Torino. He picked up 14 caps for Italy between 1960 and 1963. He went to the 1962 World Cup Finals. After retirement, he became a successful coach. His son is Paolo Maldini.
CB: Alessandro Nesta
Nesta is considered one of the best defender of his generation. He was the Serie A defender of the Year for 4 times. He started his career with Lazio. Later, he played with AC Milan where he won two Champions' league. He earned 78 caps. He played on the 2006 World Cup winning team, but injured in the third game of the tournament. He also went to 1998 and 2002 World Cup Finals as well as the European Championship in 1996, 2000 and 2004.
CB: Alessandro Costacurta
Alessandro Costacurta was Baresi's partner at central defense for both club and country. He was a part of 5 Champions' League winning team for AC Milan. However, he only played 59 times for Italy because largely of injuries. He went to two World Cup Finals (in 1994 and 1998), as well as a European Championship in 1996. With Italy, he managed to reach the 1994 World Cup Final, which was lost against Brazil on penalties.
SW: Franco Baresi
Franco Baresi was considered Italy's greatest libero. He was capped 82 times between 1982 and 1994. He led the Azzurri to the semifinal of the World Cup in 1990 and then, the Final in 1994. However, he missed most of the tournament in 1994 through an injury, playing in the Final. He was a part of the 1982 World Cup winning team, but he did not play a single match. He was a one club man with AC Milan. He is their captain for 15 years, where he won three European Cups and 6 Serie A titles.
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| Franco Baresi |
Maldini was considered the greatest leftback of all-time. He won 26 trophies in his 25 year career with AC Milan, including 5 Champions' league trophies. With Italy, Maldini took part in three European Championships, and four World Cups. Although he did not win a tournament with Italy, he reached the finals of the 1994 World Cup and Euro 2000, and the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup and Euro 1988. He was capped 126 times for Italy.
CB/LB: Renzo De Vecchi
De Vecchi was probably the first star player in Italian football. His nickname was "The Son of God". He started his career with Milan. He later moved to Genoa in 1913, winning three Italian League titles with the club. Between 1927 and 1929, he worked as a player-manager for them. He was the youngest ever national team player for Italy, representing Italy at the 1920 and 1924 Summer Olympic Games. In total, he had 43 caps for Italy between 1910 and 1925.
DM/CM: Massimo Ambrosini
At club level, he is mostly known for his successful time at A.C. Milan, where he spent eighteen years of his career, winning several titles, and even captained the side from 2009 to 2013, following the retirement of Paolo Maldini. Ambrosini retired from professional football in 2014, after a season with Fiorentina. At international level, he represented Italy at the 2000 Summer Olympics, and in two UEFA European Championships, winning a runners-up medal at UEFA Euro 2000.
DM: Romeo Benetti
At international level, Benetti represented the Italy national football team on 55 occasions between 1971 and 1980, and took part at the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cups, as well as UEFA Euro 1980, achieving fourth-place finishes in the latter two tournaments. He is best remembered for his 5 seasons with AC Milan, winning a Cup Winners' Cup. He also played for Juventus, Sampdoria, AS Roma, etc. He won an UEFA Cup with Juventus.
DM: Gennaro Gattuso
Gennaro Gattuso was a highly regarded destroyer in his prime. He spent 13 years with AC Milan, forming a famous partnership with Andreas Pirlo. At the club level, he also played for Rangers, Perugia and Sion. He won two Champions' League with the club. For the Azzurri, he earned 73 caps between 2000 and 2010. He went to three World Cup Finals, winning the 2006 World Cup Finals, playing along side Pirlo again.
CM: Demetrio Albertini
Demetrio Albertini was the deep-lying playmaker of the great AC Milan team of the 1990's. He won 5 league titles in the 1990's and the Champions' League title in 1994. At the end of his career, he played for Atletico Madrid, Lazio and Barcelona. At the international level, he played for his country 79 times. He went to the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, Euro 96, and Euro 2000. He was voted into the team of tournament at Euro 2000.
CM: Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti began his career with Parma, but he made his name with AS Roma. He won the Serie A title in 1982-1983 and 4 Italian Cup's. In 1987, he joined the great AC Milan and became a part of the team that won two European Cup. He was capped 26 times between 1981 and 1991. He narrowly missed the World Cup Finals in 1982, but went to the World Cup Finals in 1986 and 1990.
CM: Andrea Pirlo
Pirlo started as an attack midfielder with Inter Milan without success before becoming a regista. He redefined the regista role in the modern game. He had 116 caps. He won the World Cup in 2006 and took Italy to the Final of Euro 2012. For his club career, he was known for his career with AC Milan. He played over 280 matches for them, winning two Champions' League titles. He switched to Juventus late in his career.
RW: Pietro Arcari
Pietro Arcari played in the 1930s for A.C. Milan, and Genoa. A prolific goalscorer, known for his speed and ability in the air, he played 256 matches in Serie A, scoring 80 goals. He never played for Italy, but was selected to the 1934 World Cup Finals, where Italy won the Cup on home soil. He never appeared in any match. He is one of only four players in Italy's history to become World champion while never being capped
LW: Roberto Donadoni
Roberto Donadoni was one of Italy's greatest wingers. He was a vital part of AC Milan's squad under both Sacchi and Capello, winning six Serie A titles, three European Cups, four Italian Supercups, three European Super Cups, and two Intercontinental Cups during his time at Milan. He went to the World Cup Finals in 1990 and 1994. At the end of his career, he played briefly in MLS and Saudi Arabia.
FW/RW: Renzo Burini
Burini played for 12 seasons (330 games, 123 goals) in the Italian Serie A for A.C. Milan and S.S. Lazio. He is remembered by Lazio fans for his contribution to winning the first major trophy for the club, the Coppa Italia in 1958. He made his debut for Italy in 1951 against Portugal and scored on his debut. He was a member of the team which took part at the 1948 Summer Olympics.
At international level, Benetti represented the Italy national football team on 55 occasions between 1971 and 1980, and took part at the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cups, as well as UEFA Euro 1980, achieving fourth-place finishes in the latter two tournaments. He is best remembered for his 5 seasons with AC Milan, winning a Cup Winners' Cup. He also played for Juventus, Sampdoria, AS Roma, etc. He won an UEFA Cup with Juventus.
DM: Gennaro Gattuso
Gennaro Gattuso was a highly regarded destroyer in his prime. He spent 13 years with AC Milan, forming a famous partnership with Andreas Pirlo. At the club level, he also played for Rangers, Perugia and Sion. He won two Champions' League with the club. For the Azzurri, he earned 73 caps between 2000 and 2010. He went to three World Cup Finals, winning the 2006 World Cup Finals, playing along side Pirlo again.
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| Gennaro Gattuso |
Demetrio Albertini was the deep-lying playmaker of the great AC Milan team of the 1990's. He won 5 league titles in the 1990's and the Champions' League title in 1994. At the end of his career, he played for Atletico Madrid, Lazio and Barcelona. At the international level, he played for his country 79 times. He went to the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, Euro 96, and Euro 2000. He was voted into the team of tournament at Euro 2000.
Carlo Ancelotti began his career with Parma, but he made his name with AS Roma. He won the Serie A title in 1982-1983 and 4 Italian Cup's. In 1987, he joined the great AC Milan and became a part of the team that won two European Cup. He was capped 26 times between 1981 and 1991. He narrowly missed the World Cup Finals in 1982, but went to the World Cup Finals in 1986 and 1990.
CM: Andrea Pirlo
Pirlo started as an attack midfielder with Inter Milan without success before becoming a regista. He redefined the regista role in the modern game. He had 116 caps. He won the World Cup in 2006 and took Italy to the Final of Euro 2012. For his club career, he was known for his career with AC Milan. He played over 280 matches for them, winning two Champions' League titles. He switched to Juventus late in his career.
RW: Pietro Arcari
Pietro Arcari played in the 1930s for A.C. Milan, and Genoa. A prolific goalscorer, known for his speed and ability in the air, he played 256 matches in Serie A, scoring 80 goals. He never played for Italy, but was selected to the 1934 World Cup Finals, where Italy won the Cup on home soil. He never appeared in any match. He is one of only four players in Italy's history to become World champion while never being capped
LW: Roberto Donadoni
Roberto Donadoni was one of Italy's greatest wingers. He was a vital part of AC Milan's squad under both Sacchi and Capello, winning six Serie A titles, three European Cups, four Italian Supercups, three European Super Cups, and two Intercontinental Cups during his time at Milan. He went to the World Cup Finals in 1990 and 1994. At the end of his career, he played briefly in MLS and Saudi Arabia.
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| Roberto Donadoni |
Burini played for 12 seasons (330 games, 123 goals) in the Italian Serie A for A.C. Milan and S.S. Lazio. He is remembered by Lazio fans for his contribution to winning the first major trophy for the club, the Coppa Italia in 1958. He made his debut for Italy in 1951 against Portugal and scored on his debut. He was a member of the team which took part at the 1948 Summer Olympics.
AM: Gianni Rivera
Gianni Rivera was Italy's "Golden Boy"of the 1960's and perhaps their best player of his generation. He won the Ballon d'Or in 1969. He led AC Milan to win two European Cups in 1963 and 1969. He was capped 63 times, scoring 15 goals, at four World Cup Finals (1962, 1966, 1970, and 1974). Rivera is remembered for scoring the decisive goal in Italy's extra-time win over West Germany in the semi-final of Mexico 1970. Italy reached the Final of that World Cup Final before losing Pele's Brazil.
LW/LB: Alberico Evani
Gianni Rivera was Italy's "Golden Boy"of the 1960's and perhaps their best player of his generation. He won the Ballon d'Or in 1969. He led AC Milan to win two European Cups in 1963 and 1969. He was capped 63 times, scoring 15 goals, at four World Cup Finals (1962, 1966, 1970, and 1974). Rivera is remembered for scoring the decisive goal in Italy's extra-time win over West Germany in the semi-final of Mexico 1970. Italy reached the Final of that World Cup Final before losing Pele's Brazil.
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| Gianni Rivera |
Evani started his career with AC Milan, where he spent the majority of his playing career, winning several trophies during his 13 seasons at the club, including, three Serie A titles and two European Cups; he later also played for Sampdoria, Reggiana, and Carrarese. At international level, he represented Italy at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where they reached the final. In total, he had 15 caps between 1991 and 1994.
AM/FW: Roberto Baggio
Robert Baggio was the icon of the 1990's. He was the World Player of the Year, the Ballon d'Or winner and the World Soccer Player of the Year in 1993. He led Italy to reach the semifinal at 1990 World Cup Finals in Italy and then, to a second place four years later in the USA. For club football, he started his career with Fiorentina. He became the most expensive player in the world when he joined Juventus. He also played for AC Milan, Bologna, Inter Milan and Brescia.
ST: Aldo Boffi
Aldo Boffi began his club football with Seregno. He became a star with AC Milan. During the 1938–39 season, he was joint-capcannonieri (top scorer) in Serie A, along with Ettore Puricelli of Bologna, with 19 goals; he managed the same feat in the 1939–40 and 1941–42 Serie A seasons, with 24 and 22 goals respectively. He played briefly with Atalanta before going back to Seregno. He was capped twice for Italy in 138 and 1939.
ST: Filippo Inzaghi
Inzaghi is one of the most prolific goalscorers of all time, fifth in Italy, with 313 goals scored in official matches. He is currently the fourth-highest goal scorer in European club competitions with 70 goals. With AC Milan, he won two UEFA Champions League titles (2003, 2007). he made his national team debut in 1997. He also played for Juventus before joining AC Milan. For the national team, he was capped 57 times scoring 25 goals. He went to all major tournaments from 1998 to 2006. He won the World Cup in 2006, but only played in one match.
Honorable Mention
Giovanni Galli, Enrico Albertosi, Christian Abbiati, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Giorgio Ghezzi, Giovanni Rossetti, Fulvio Collovati, Dario Copiani , Giuseppe Sabadini, Giovanni Trapattoni. Filippo Galli, Roberto Rosato, Marco Sala, Ignazio Abate, Christian Panucci, Luigi Radice, Aldo Maldera, Omero Tognon, Pietro Lana, Aldo Cevenini, Giovanni Lodetti, Giuseppe Antonini, Alberto Bigon, Renzo Burini, Carlo Annovazzi, Angelo Sormani, Marco Simeone, Pietro Paolo Virdis, Giuseppe Santagostino, Pierino Prati, Daniele Massaro, Alberto Gilardino.
-- I have too many midfielders. I have no space for Giovanni Trapattoni, Omero Tognon, Giovanni Lodetti and Giuseppe Antonini. I opted for the younger players who have more name recognition.
-- In 2024, I dropped both Giuseppe Santagostino and Pierino Prati for other players from different positions. The team already had Filippo Inzaghi, Aldo Boffi, Renzo Burini and Roberto Baggio.
Robert Baggio was the icon of the 1990's. He was the World Player of the Year, the Ballon d'Or winner and the World Soccer Player of the Year in 1993. He led Italy to reach the semifinal at 1990 World Cup Finals in Italy and then, to a second place four years later in the USA. For club football, he started his career with Fiorentina. He became the most expensive player in the world when he joined Juventus. He also played for AC Milan, Bologna, Inter Milan and Brescia.
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| Roberto Baggio |
Aldo Boffi began his club football with Seregno. He became a star with AC Milan. During the 1938–39 season, he was joint-capcannonieri (top scorer) in Serie A, along with Ettore Puricelli of Bologna, with 19 goals; he managed the same feat in the 1939–40 and 1941–42 Serie A seasons, with 24 and 22 goals respectively. He played briefly with Atalanta before going back to Seregno. He was capped twice for Italy in 138 and 1939.
ST: Filippo Inzaghi
Inzaghi is one of the most prolific goalscorers of all time, fifth in Italy, with 313 goals scored in official matches. He is currently the fourth-highest goal scorer in European club competitions with 70 goals. With AC Milan, he won two UEFA Champions League titles (2003, 2007). he made his national team debut in 1997. He also played for Juventus before joining AC Milan. For the national team, he was capped 57 times scoring 25 goals. He went to all major tournaments from 1998 to 2006. He won the World Cup in 2006, but only played in one match.
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| Filippo Inzaghi |
Giovanni Galli, Enrico Albertosi, Christian Abbiati, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Giorgio Ghezzi, Giovanni Rossetti, Fulvio Collovati, Dario Copiani , Giuseppe Sabadini, Giovanni Trapattoni. Filippo Galli, Roberto Rosato, Marco Sala, Ignazio Abate, Christian Panucci, Luigi Radice, Aldo Maldera, Omero Tognon, Pietro Lana, Aldo Cevenini, Giovanni Lodetti, Giuseppe Antonini, Alberto Bigon, Renzo Burini, Carlo Annovazzi, Angelo Sormani, Marco Simeone, Pietro Paolo Virdis, Giuseppe Santagostino, Pierino Prati, Daniele Massaro, Alberto Gilardino.
-- Twelve players on this team also belonged to my all-time team for AC Milan. That included all three goalkeepers, namely Fabio Cudicini, Sebastiano Rossi and Lorenzo Buffon. So the section on goalkeepers were copy and pasta from my All-AC Milan team. Only two of my defenders (both fullbacks) are not on that team. The defenders on the AC Milan All-Time team are Franco Baresi, Paulo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, Alessandro Nesta, Cesare Maldini and Mauro Tassotti. However, only three attackers (Andreas Pirlo, Gianni Rivera and Roberto Donadoni) were selected onto that team.
-- AC Milan dominated the domestic league in the 1950's. I took Juan Lorenzo Buffon and Renzo Burini. The "Gre-No-Li" trio of Swedem was the famous players on the team.
-- Four players won the Ballon d'or as a Milan player. Gianni Rivera who won the award in 1969 was the only Italian.
-- AC Milan first won two European Cup in the 1960's. Gianni Rivera and Fabio Cudicini were on both winning teams. Cesare Maldini captained the 1962 team.
-- AC Milan went undefeated in the 1993-1994 season, allowing a remarkable tally of merely 15 goals. The defensive prowess showcased by Milan during that year is widely recognized as unparalleled in the annals of football history. I selected all of the main defensive players from the team. Sebastiano Rossi, Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Alessandro Costacurta and Mauro Tassotti. Demetrio Albertini, Carlos Albertini and Roberto Donadoni were also from that team.
-- The back-to-back European Cup team in the late 1980's consisted of a similar defensive line. Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi and Alessandro Costacurta also played in that era. Roberto Donadoni and Alberico Evani also belonged to this team.
-- Paolo Maldini would win two more Champions' league in the 2000's. Andrea Pirlo, Alessandro Nesta, Massimo Ambrosini, Filippo Inzaghi and Gennaro Gattuso came from that generation.
Goalkeepers
-- I went with two old-timers: Lorenzo Buffon and Fabio Cudicini. Lorenzo Buffon is often listed as AC Milan's greatest goalkeeper. He won four scudetti in 1950's. Please do not confuse him with Gianluigi Buffon. The two Buffons are actually related. Lorenzo was a cousin of Gianluigi's grandfather. Although Fabio Cudicini never represented the Italy national football team, he is widely recognized as one of Italy's all-time greats in that position. He is primarily remembered for his remarkable and influential tenure at A.C. Milan. Notably, he played a pivotal role in their triumphant victory in the 1969 European Cup Final, along with numerous other domestic, European, and international honors.
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| Fabio Cudicini |
-- Similarly, Sebastiano Rossi, despite receiving two call-ups, never made an appearance for the national team. However, he played a crucial role as a vital player in Fabio Capello's "Invincibles" team, which remained undefeated and won the Champions League. He once held the league record for the longest streak without conceding a goal (929 minutes). He currently holds the Serie A record for fewest goals conceded in a single 34-game season (11). He spent over a decade with the club, while his peak years spanned approximately six seasons, a duration similar to that of Gianluigi Donnarumma, making Donnarumma a possible candidate for the team. In 2015, Gianluigi Donnarumma became the second-youngest goalkeeper ever to debut in Serie A, aged 16 years and 242 days. By the time he departed for PSG, he has spent 6 seasons in Milan. He might have been a better goalkeeper, but he only made honorable mention because he was less decorated than Cudicini and Rossi. So I went with Rossi as the third goalkeeper.
-- Albertosi Enrico was old when he joined Milan. His best years were behind him. Dida actually deserved to be on the team. He had won a Champions League with the club. He also played over 300 games for the club. Christian Abbiati made more appearance for Milan than any other goalkeeper in history. Giorgio Ghezzi became the first Italian goalkeeper to win the European Cup when AC Milan beat Benfica in the Final. Giovanni Galli started in both of the club's back-to-back European Cup victories in 1989 and 1990. They made honorable mentions.
Defenders
-- In the 1993-94 season, Milan accomplished an extraordinary feat by securing their third consecutive Serie A title, conceding a remarkable total of only 15 goals. They also won the Champions' League that season with a convincing victory over Barcelona. Their defense during this era is widely regarded as the best in the history of the game. Individually, Paulo Maldini is known as the greatest ever leftback , while Franco Baresi is recognized as one of the finest liberos ever to grace the sport. Alessandro Costacurta primarily played as a center back but exhibited versatility across the entire defensive line. Mauro Tassotti might not be the greatest rightback ever. But he had a long service to the club. He spent 17 seasons during Milan's greatest eras.
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| Paolo Madlini |
-- Alessandro Nesta was another undisputed choice for a central defender. Then, I selected Cesare Maldini because he was the captain who brought home the first European Cup. The other three central defenders were set before I began. Roberto Rosato was probably the best central defender not selected. He was born on the same day as his team-mate Gianni Rivera, where they were known as "twins". Giovanni Trapattoni and Filippo Galli also made honorable mentions.
-- So I was left with two spots for the fullback position from each side. Angelo Anquilletti edged out Marco Sala, Filippo Galli and Christian Panucci for the rightback position. Panucci is more famous than Anquilletti because he was a relatively current player, but he only played briefly with Milan. Angelo Anquilletti spent 11 seasons in Milan. Ignazio Abate was another candidate. The second leftback spot went to Renzo De Vecchi. He made his debut with AC Milan as 15 years old. He was given the nickname "Il Figlio di Dio" (The Son of God) by the Milan fans but was best remembered with his career in Genoa. Nevertheless, I still took him. He was one of the first star players on the team. Luigi Radice and Aldo Maldera were other notable leftbacks.
-- Gianluca Zambrotta played here at the end of his career.
Midfielders/Wingers
-- Andreas Pirlo is one of the most underrated players in history. He was critical to the successes of AC Milan. His departure to Juventus changed the balance of power in Serie A. And I have to reunite him with Gennaro Gattuso. Their complimentary playing styles allowed them to control the midfield effectively. Pirlo's ability to find pockets of space and distribute the ball seamlessly was supported by Gattuso's relentless energy and defensive work rate.
-- Massimo Ambrosini also spent 18 years with the club. He was also their captain at one point. I selected him because of his longevity. Demetrio Albertini won five league titles and two UEFA Champions League titles with the club. Carlos Ancelotti was a box-to-box midfielder. The team might need his type of player. He was the unsung hero of the team during the late 1980's. Last but not least, I also took Romeo Benetti whom I considered to be one of Italy's greatest defensive midfielders.
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| Carlos Ancelotti |
-- Gianni Rivera also won the Ballon d'Or in 1969. He led AC Milan to win two European Cups in 1963 and 1969. He was Italy's "Golden Boy" in the 1960's and perhaps, AC Milan's greatest Italian player. I needed an offensive midfielder to backup Gianni Rivera. Roberto Baggio is probably Italy's greatest Trequartista, but his career with AC Milan was uneventful. While he won a Serie A title in his first season, he had a series of disagreement with different managers in his second season. His playing time was limited as a result. I selected him because he was simply Baggio. AC Milan also did not have enough Italian Trequartista. Alberto Bigon was my alternative.
-- The wide position on the right is a concern. Pietro Arcari was the first player I selected. He played in the 1934 World Cup Finals, but never played in an official game. Then, I chose Renzo Burini over Carlo Annovazzi, Angelo Sormani and Marco Simeone. I am unfamilar with either player.
-- Being a major contributor to AC Milan's greatest era in history, Roberto Donadoni was an undisputed selection on the left. He also played on the right. Alberico Evani played 393 official matches for Milan. He won 3 Serie A titles, 2 UEFA Champions League titles and 2 Intercontinental Cup titles. He played as a leftback until the emerge of Paulo Maldini, where he was transformed into a left winger. He scored the winning goal in the 1989 Intercontinental Cup.
Forwards
-- José Altafini played for Brazil and Juan Alberto Schiaffino for Uruguay before they played for Italy. I considered them "foreigners".
-- I do not know much about Pietro Lana and Aldo Cevenini. So I went for strikers with the younger strikers.
-- Filippo Inzaghi is the All-time Milan's top goal scorer in Europe. He is also spent over 10 seasons in Milan. He also won many trophies including the 2007 UEFA Champions League where he won the Man of the Match in the Final. Aldo Boffi was an important goal scorer for AC Milan. He was the league top scorer three times. He is the fifth All-Time leading scorer for the club. Gianni Rivera was the only non-Italian ahead of him.
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| Aldo Boffi |
-- Giuseppe Santagostino was born in 1901 in Milan. From 1921 to 1933, he played over 200 games for AC Milan. He ranks eighth in A.C. Milan's all-time goalscorers list. He also scored the first ever goal in the San Siro in a derby against Inter Milan in 1926. He was never capped by Italy. After Milan, he played for Catanzaro and Atalanta. Also known as "Pierino the pest", Prati is mostly remembered for his successful stint with AC Milan, forming an excellent partnership with Gianni Rivera. He was also notably part of their European Cup victory in 1969. He is the last man to have scored a hat-trick in the Champions League/European Cup Final. He was capped 14 times. He won the 1968 European Championship on home soil. He also went to the 1970 World Cup.
-- Daniele Massaro probably should belong to this team. He had a decorated career with the club, but his career was overshadowed by his strike partners. I only put him on honorable mention.
Formation
I opted for a formation similar to the Christrmas tree formation used by Carlos Ancelotti. So I decided to start himself on the team.
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