AC Milan 1963-69

Milan, 1969 Final

 

---

Milan 1969

Coach: Nero Rocco
Achievements: European Cup 1963, 69
Key Players: Rivera, Altafini, Hamrin, Schnellinger
Star Player: Rivera
Formation: 4-2-4

AC Milan had a great team in the 1950s, including players such as the Uruguayan Schiaffino and the Swedish playmaker Nils Liedholm. This team reached the 1958 European Cup Final but could not overcome Di Stefano's Madrid.

In the 1960s a new Milan team won the prestigious trophy twice, equalling the success of their city rivals Inter. Nero Rocco's team, like Inter, was based on a solid sweeper system but perhaps offered more attacking intent. Prati and Hamrin were the flying wingers; Sormani was the centre-forward (in 1963 it was the great Brazilian Altafini); but the real talent behind both teams was Gianni Rivera their attacking midfield maestro. The personnel was almost completely different in the two European finals (World Cup stars such as Hamrin and full-back Schnellinger joining for 1969) but Rocco remained in control. The system was the same with the same player roles and, above all, Rivera was the playmaker in both teams.

The players wouldn't have realised it at the time but this 1969 win went against the prevailing trend and would be the last team a southern European team won the Cup until Juventus' victory in 1985.
 

BACK TO TEAMS


NEXT