AC Milan Overview

Known to all as AC Milan and founded in 1899, Associazione Calcio Milan is incredibly well known in Italian and international football. AC Milan plays in the Italian Serie A League based in Milan, Lombardy. AC Milan has had much success in tournaments and building legends such as Gianni Rivera and Paolo Maldini. With 7 UEFA Champions League titles, they hold the place for second most Champions League trophies after Real Madrid. Also they have won more international titles than any other club in the world, totalling 18. The team’s home stadium is San Siro where there thousands of fans gather to chant their name. They share the stadium with fellow Serie A squad Inter Milan, who they compete in Derby games with every year. Milan is owned by Berlusconi, a prominent figure in Italian politics and sports. AC Milan is a hugely favored team, 3rd most popular in the world and a prominent and dangerous figure within international football.

AC Milan Club History

Milan began as a cricket club when three British men, Kilpin, Allison and Davies proposed the idea to two businessmen Alfred Edwards and Herbert Kilpin. The two men then created the club on December 16, 1899. Edwards became the first president of the Milan Cricket and Football Club. The two men form Nottingham, Britain used the city name Milan, and it has not been translated to the Italian version, Milano, to respect its origins. The opening match was played in March 1900 against another team from Milan named Mediolanum. Only two years after its creation, AC Milan won its first championship in 1901. Milan grew in popularity and strength and won back to back championships in 1906 and 1907. The next year the club went through massive changes that altered the club and the future of Italian football. With internal conflicts over allowing International players onto the team at a height, there was a split. Another team was created, F.C. Internazionale Milano, which became A.C. Milan’s biggest rival. The first match against Inter has been played on the 18th of October 1908, Milan winning 2-1.

In 1916 the Italian League Championship was suspended due to World War I. During the 1915 and 1916 seasons the league was replaced with the Federal Cup, which Milan actually won. During the war the team was also called Milano at the Fascist regime’s request. The 1920’s were a time of new change for Italian football and Milano. San Siro Stadium was built in 1926 as the club’s home field, and funded by a man named Pietro Pirelli. A few years later in 1929 Serie A was created, and was called Girone Unico. In 1938 the club finalized their name, they were officially A.C. (Associazione Calcio) Milan.

AC Milan then was in a huge slump during these years. With the team split into two they did not win another championship until 1950, only holding 3rd place positions. Slowly the team gained momentum, winning the 1963 European Cup in a final match against S.L. Benfica. The end of the 1950's looked hopeful as three new players joined AC Milan. Gianni Rivera from Alessandria, joined the team for $200,000, a record at that time. The other two are the Brazilian striker Jose Altafini and the Uruguayan midfielder Schiaffino. In 1968 AC Milan won the Scudetto and their superstar Gianni Rivera won the European Footballer of the Year award. They were also able to take the 1969 European Cup for the second time and the Intercontinental Cup for the first time. After Gianni Rivera, the man who carried the team, retired in 1979, Milan found themselves in the midst of a scandal.

A.C. Milan found themselves in the dark age once again. The team was dropped from Italy’s Serie A to Serie B, after the 1980 Totonero Match fixing scandal. Two players and the President Felice Colombo were seen as part of the match fixing bets that were found by the Italian Finance department. Due to their involvement, the club was been relegated for the only time in its history.

Milan stayed in Serie B only for the 1980-81 season, because it dominated the league with 50 points with 18 wins and player Antonelli was the top scorer in Serie B.

By 1981-82 season Milan was back in Serie A, but had a rough season. They finished 14th in the league, and powerhouse Juventus won their second Scudetto in a row.

As this dark age went on, Silvio Berlusconi, an Italian Entreprenuer took owenership of the club in 1986. He was able to invest lots of funds into the club and bring in Fabio Capello Arrigo Sacchi as the new coach. Also Berlusconi arranged the signing of, Marco van Bastern, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard, three Dutch players. And it was here that A.C. Milan went into their golden age. They were able to win 7 European titles, 2 Intercontinental Cups and 5 UEFA Champions League tournaments. done Their performances were internationally highlighted. In 1991 the club hired new coach Fabio Capello, who had previously played for the team. Capello’s reign with Milan was stunning. He won the Serie A title that year, and managed to not lose a single game for the cub. A.C. went on to win 58 games straight.

In 1996 the club won its 15th Scudetto. This same year Capello moved to Real Madrid and A.C. welcomed new coach Oscar Tabarez. His coaching career with Milan was shortlived as he quickly replaced by former coach Arrigo Sacchi, who was then replaced as well with Capello for the 1998 season.

A.C. Milan did find themselves in a repeat episode of the 1980 Totonero scandal, when in 2006, they were involved in the 2006 Serie A Match Fixing Scandal that relegated Juventus down to Serie B. The match fixing scandal gave A.C. Milan a 15 point deduction and a ban from that years Champions league, and left Serie A in disarray. A.C. Milan appealed their penalty and were successful. Their point deduction was reduced to 8 and they were again allowed to play in the UEFA Champions League. A.C. Milan met the challenge by not only participating in the 2006-2007 Champions League, but winning the entire tournament taking the trophy home. In the finals of that cup against Liverpool, Filippo Inzaghi scored two goals, putting A.C. Milan on top again.

AC Milan Rivalries

A.C. Milan is the third most supported club in Italy, after Juventus and Inter Milan. AC Milan’s biggest rival is Inter Milan, the club that shares their stadium and city, but not the fans.

Inter Milan Undoubtedly A.C. Milan’s biggest rivalry is Inter Milan, both calling Milan and San Siro stadium home base. The matches between Inter and A.C. Milan are known as Derby della Madonnina. Madonnina, referring to the statue of the Virgin Mary that lies atop the Duomo (Milan Cathedral) in Milan. This rivalry is a longstanding one, beginning when Inter Milan originated in 1908, after a split from A.C. Milan. Many A.C. Milan fans are made up of the working class while Inter fans are dominated by the middle class, more prosperous group. The Derby match is a fun filled event with determined fans from both sides filling the stadium with chants and cheer. These matches also can be dangerous with flares flying and tempers rising between the two rivals. After the 2001 match at San Siro where A.C. Milan, dominated in a bitter battle, winning 6-0, the teams fans began an uprising with the police, throwing glass bottles and attacking them. With fan pride high, the derby is a platform for excitement for the winner and anger for the losing squad. This derby is one of the most famous in football and many await the Milanese battle.

Stars of the Current AC Milan Squad

Paolo Maldini: The captain of A.C. Milan, has held down the defensive line for over 20 years. Maldini joined the club in 1984, and there is talk of his retirement in 2008. He has won 7 Scudettos with A.C. Milan in Serie A. As captain he is an important force within the team, and is responsible for the defense as center back. Maldini is often thought of as the face of A.C. Milan, because it is the only club he has ever played for.

Pippo Inzaghi: Joined A.C. Milan in 2001 and has been a powerhouse goal scorer ever since. Although Inzaghi is an older player he has scored over 75 goals for the club. He pulled through for the squad in the Champions League finals in a match against Liverpool where he scored 2 goals for the win. He is also the leading scorer of UEFA competitions with 63. His experience often comes through in tough situations on the field.

Andrea Pirlo: Signed in 2001, Pirlo has had over 200 appearances with the Club and scored 30 goals. thumb

Dida: Playing with Milan since 2000, with a one year break due to a loan. Dida is the team’s all star goal keeper. He began his first string career in 2002, after a solid performance in the second half of a Champions League match. In 2003 he did it again, saving 3 penalty kicks in the finals of the Champions League against fellow Italian rivals, Juventus. He was Serie A goalkeeper of the year in 2003-2004. Though he has experienced some rough patches due to injury and a flare throwing incident where his shoulder was burned, he has continued as the teams first string goalkeeper.

Cafu: Since 2003 he has been a vital part of the defensive line, as right back.

Kaka: Brought onto A.C. Milan in 2003, he was a permanent on the starting line up from his first appearance. He has scored over 50 goals for the club and was 2007’s European footballer of the Year.

Ronaldo: The world-renowned Brazilian player, joined A.C. Milan in 2007. He has played 20 matches with the team. As of March 2008, an scored 9 goals.

Pato: Alexandre Pato is a young player born in 1989, was recruited and bought buy A.C. Milan in 2007. He has scored 7 goals for the club and is becoming one of the stars of the club, even surrounded by international football greats.

A.C. Milan Legends

Paolo Maldini: The captain of A.C. Milan, has held down the defensive line for over 20 years. Maldini joined the club in 1984, and there is talk of his retirement in 2008. He has won 7 Scudettos with A.C. Milan in Serie A. As captain he is an important force within the team, and is responsible for the defence as center back. Maldini is often thought of as the face of A.C. Milan, because it is the only club he has ever played for.

Most Appearances

Most Goals

Player Recognition & Awards

Team Honours

National League Titles

• SERIE A Champions

  1901, 1906, 1907, 1950, 1951, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1962, 1967, 1979, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2004

• SERIE B Champions

  1980-81, 1982-83

• COPPA ITALIA

  1967, 1972, 1973, 1977, 2003

• ITALIAN SUPER CUP

  1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2004

UEFA Competitions

• UEFA Champions League

  1962, 1968, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007

• UEFA Super Cup

  1989, 1990, 2003, 2007

• UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup

  1968, 1973

European Cups

• Latin Cup

  1951, 1956

• Mitropa Cup

  1982

International Cups

• FIFA Club World Cup

  2007

• Intercontinental Cup

  1969, 1989, 1990

AC Milan Management

Carlo Ancelotti is currently the manager of A.C. Milan. The club has had names such as Capello, Maldini, Rocco and Sacchi lead the team in their biggest successes. Alfred Edwards was the first President of A.C. Milan, when they began as the Milan Cricket and Football Club. Since 1986, Berlusconi has been the President of the club. There were two years, 2004-2006, where a Presidential Commission took over the position heading the club. Berlusconi joined the club in their dark hour and spent much time and money on building the team into a powerhouse again.

Players

Current squad As of February 1, 2009.[6]

Most Goals

Uniforms

A.C. Milan has always been represented by Red and Black. Red was meant to represent the fire of the club and black was the emotion of their opposing team. The home jersey is striped with red and black

Stadium

A.C. Milan plays at Stadio Guiseppe Meazza, more commonly called San Siro, the Milanese district it stands in. Located in Milan, Italy A.C. Milan shares this stadium with fellow Milan rivals, Internazionale. The stadium, funded by Pietri Pirelli, completed its construction in 1926 for 5 million Lira (Italian Currency) and was built specifically for football. It has a large roof, rather steep stands and a close intimacy with the field making it one of the most exciting stadiums to watch footie. The stadium was officially inaugurated in September 1926 for a battle between Inter and A.C. Milan. In its first official opening Inter Milan beat A.C. Milan 6-3 with 35, 000 screaming fans watching. Although intended to be the home field for A.C., Inter joined quickly calling it their home field as well. In 1957 lights were installed allowing night games to be played, and in 1967 an electronic scoreboard was added. In 1980 it was renamed after Guiseppe Meazza, a star for both A.C. Milan and Internazionale. A.C. Milan prefer to call it San Siro, as Meazza was more successful with Inter having a stronger base with Inter fans.

San Siro has been home to many Italian National matches as well as the Champions League and UEFA Euro Cup. It was also host to many games during the 1990 World Cup. Prior to this cup, the stadium went through $60 million of renovation in order to become a 5 star rated UEFA stadium. The stadium grew with extra tiers being added to three sides and all areas perfected for seating.

The stadium can hold a max capacity of 82, 955 spectators today and offers tours as well as A.C. Milan and Internazionale museums.

Sponsors

• http://www.adidas.com/us/shared/home.asp (Adidas)
• http://www.sky.it/ (Sky)
• http://www.dolcegabbana.it/ (Dolce and Gabbana)
• https://www.bwin.it/sportsbook.aspx?pid=907&zoneid=17783 (Bwin)

Important Links

• http://www.acmilan.com/
• http://www.lega-calcio.it/
• http://www.sansiro.net/
• http://www.provincia.milano.it/

References

• http://www.acmilan-online.com/jobs.php
• http://www.milanmania.com/
• http://soccernet.espn.go.com/origin?cameFrom=team%3Fid%3D103
• http://www.forzamilan.com/
• http://www.acmilan.net/community/index.php?&newlang=eng
• http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/seriea
• http://www.footballderbies.com/honours/index.php?id=30
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/euro2000/teams/italy/771488.stm
• http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/11/11/eu.italy/index.html?iref=newssearch
• http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Altro_Calcio/Primo_Piano/2006/05_Maggio/26/archivio25.shtml