This Day in History: 2022-12-09

Nr. 362

SPANISH RIVALS CONTEST EUROPEAN CUP SEMI-FINAL (1960)

In the 1960 European Cup semi-final it was the Spanish champions Barcelona who stood between Real Madrid, who had been European champions for the previous four years, and a fifth consecutive final. Before the tie Barcelona’s manager Helenio Herrera asked his players to place a hand on a football and chant, «The European Cup – we shall have it, we shall have it.» It made no difference, however, as Madrid won 3-1 in the Bernabeu with two goals from Alfredo di Stefano and 3-1 in the Nou Camp with two goals from Ferenc Puskas.

Real Madrid’s Santamaria, Canario and Vidal in action during training in preparation for the all-important semi-final against Barcelona.