1993: São Paulo ride their luck against Milan
Sunday 12 December 1993
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Müller's goal won the 1993 game (©Getty Images)
São Paulo FC 3-2 AC Milan
European champions Olympique de Marseille were barred from competing in the European/South American Cup in Tokyo so two-time winners AC Milan travelled to Japan in their place but, despite having the better of the match, Fabio Capello's team went down 3-2 to the previous year's winners São Paulo FC.
Mistake decisive
The statistics showed that Milan created 20 goalscoring opportunities to São Paulo's five, but the Brazilian team's greater efficiency in front of goal paid off although it was a huge error from Milan goalkeeper Sebastiano Rossi that ultimately decided the contest, his hesitancy allowing São Paulo striker Müller to strike a freak winning goal four minutes from time. Milan, despite their pressure, never led. Palhinha scored with the Brazilian side's first attack on 19 minutes, and although the excellent Daniele Massaro equalised four minutes after the interval, veteran midfielder and Man of the Match Toninho Cerezo restored São Paulo's advantage on the hour. Massaro set up Jean-Pierre Papin to make it 2-2 with a precise header on 81 minutes, and it looked as if the Italian side would then go on to win – only for Rossi's moment of indecision to hand São Paulo the advantage for good.
Capello regret
Milan coach Fabio Capello was in no doubt about the injustice of the outcome. "São Paulo played well, but we played better," he said. "It was Rossi's mistake that cost us the game. I'm sure we would have won in extra time." São Paulo's ebullient left-winger – and future Milanista – Leonardo disagreed, saying: "Milan made it hard for us in the first half but we had more room in the second. I don't think we were lucky to win."
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