This Day in History: 2023-01-20

Nr. 387

MILAN WIN THE EUROPEAN CUP (1963)

Benfica’s hopes of winning a hat-trick of European Cups were ended by AC Milan at Wembley in May 1963. The Portuguese champions took the lead after 18 minutes through Eusebio and went in at half-time 1-0 ahead. During the interval the Milan coach Nereo Rocco replaced Giovanni Trapattoni with the Peruvian Victor Benitez as Eusebio’s man-marker and immediately saw the benefits. With the Milan defence now more protected, the Italians ventured forward and turned the game around with two goals from the Brazilian striker Jose Altafini. Captain Cesare Maldini could now lift the European Cup.

Nereo Rocco’s arrival sparked a revival at the San Siro. He went on to guide the Rossoneri to another European Cup victory in 1969.