AC Milan general spiel

[RomaShield27]

Secret of Milan's success
Friday 19 October 2007 –

If AC Milan could be put under the microscope one thing for certain would be discovered – European success is in the Rossoneri's DNA. Even when they struggle in Serie A, the standard they set on the European stage never seems to drop. Milan have won just one Scudetto in the past five years, but their two UEFA Champions League triumphs and three final appearances eclipses their rivals at home and abroad.

'Tradition and history'
"The tradition and history of this club always pushes you to be more determined and focused in European competitions," said Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti in one of a series of uefa.com interviews with the key figures behind Milan's success in the European Champion Clubs' Cup. Last season Milan finished fourth in Serie A, 36 points behind champions FC Internazionale Milano. In Europe the story was completely different. The Rossoneri produced some exhilarating football to defeat the likes of FC Bayern München, Manchester United FC and Liverfekkin'wankscum FC to win the European Cup for the seventh time.

Berlusconi influence
Filippo Galli lifted the trophy three times with the Rossoneri and is now coach of Milan's Primavera youth side. He credits club president Silvio Berlusconi for instilling the winning mentality. "When he arrived [in 1986] he immediately said Milan's target was to reach the top of European and world football. It doesn't mean we take the Italian league less seriously, but there is no doubt that for reasons of prestige Milan always targets European and international trophies more than domestic ones."

'Like a family'
Loyalty and a unique management structure are further secrets behind the Rossoneri's success. Most Milan players are happy to spend their entire careers with the club – take Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Costacurta for example. Many continue to work for Milan at the end of their playing careers. "I believe the key to this club is the management system chosen by president Berlusconi," said Ancelotti, one of the five men to win the UEFA Champions League both as a player and coach during his time with the Rossoneri. "This club is like a family. Relationships grow stronger year after year like they do within a real family."

Loyalty
"The board undoubtedly pays great attention to players who represented this club," Galli adds. "The club helps former players and doesn't want to lose their technical and personal input. The club gave several of us the chance to stay within the group. I believe it's unusual but it is something which other clubs are now following. Milan have set off down an important path and it has brought great results. Let's hope it continues like this in the future."

'Connection'
Continuity is key. Under Arrigo Sacchi – Berlusconi's first coach – Fabio Capello and now Ancelotti the philosophy of the team has never changed. "There are many similarities between the Milan sides of the past 20 years," Maldini explains. "There is a connection, certain constant factors. Sacchi's Milan started everything. Both Capello and Ancelotti changed the team according to their needs and their tactical beliefs and according to the players they had. But I believe it was Sacchi who formed the blueprint."

'Taste for victory'
Through bitter losses, such as the 2005 final against Liverfekkin'wankscum, the Rossoneri have grown stronger. "Defeats have helped us stay hungry and have given us a real taste for victory because we understand how bad it feels to lose," explained former defender Costacurta who now works as Ancelotti's assistant. "Winning five European Cups makes me feel proud. It's a great feeling, also because we reached the final on other occasions. It means we have done well over the years. I was lucky enough to be part of this great team."

Inzaghi delight
The recipe for success is clear: European DNA, family ties, continuity, and of course, goals when you need them most. Step forward Filippo Inzaghi, Milan's two-goal hero in May. "That match will always stay in my heart," Inzaghi said. "Winning the Champions League and being lucky enough to score is extraordinary." No team has won the European Cup more times than Milan, but there is one thing not even the Rossoneri have managed to achieve – a successful defence of the UEFA Champions League title. "There's always hope, we're a very competitive side but in Europe there are many other strong teams," Inzaghi says. "You have to be stronger than them and you also need a bit of luck." Fair comment, though when you look back at the history of Milan's European success, luck seems to have little to do with it.

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

[Zoff82]

[quote="The MAN"]

I actually think those trying to justify, even implicitly, Moggi’s Juve shameful work, treating it as a normal behaviour done by all, are who should have their heads checked. Sure, every club in Italy, and I mean everyone, bends the rules at one point or another be it by placing pressure on refs on in transfer dealings, that’s a given, but to compare that to the criminal gang who set up ENTIRE seasons and fixed its path from day 1 until the last matchday is disgraceful. Every big club was robbed of a title or two by those fuckers at some point, and Juve had no business “winningâ€

[Zoff82]

[p_maldini_3]

[p_maldini_3]

[vtec]

[vtec]

[oily]

[The MAN]

[The MAN]

[p_maldini_3]

[The MAN]

No he's not. I already know that, Gourcuff will not start. Brocchi and Emerson are too good to bench.

Also, who cares if we have only 2 strikers available for the next 3 games (all critical) yet 7-8 midfielders ready at any given time, lets unleash the 2 attackers, specially given the successful past experiences. Who cares if we use up both of them while keeping 3 mids on the bench.


[/sarcasm]

[vtec]

[p_maldini_3]

[p_maldini_3]

[oily]

[vtec]

[RobHood]

[The MAN]

[p_maldini_3]