This Day in History: 2023-02-21

Nr. 409

BENFICA PLAY 89,011 ITALIANS (1965)

The San Siro is undoubtedly a great stadium, but for Portugal’s Benfica in 1965 it was the lion’s den. They had won through all the stages of that season’s European Cup and were due to meet the powerful Internazionale in the final on 27 May. The problem was that UEFA had scheduled the final in the San Siro, the home ground shared by Internazionale and AC Milan. The Portuguese were furious at the choice of venue and even threatened to send their youth team unless UEFA relented. The protest was to no avail and despite a heroic performance before 89,000 fanatical Italian fans, they went down 1-0.

With a capacity of nearly 90,000 the San Siro in Milan is one of the most inspiring – and intimidating – theatres in world football.