Opposites attract at San Siro

By Richard Whittle

Although AC Milan and AFC Ajax have always been associated with excellence in Europe, there has been a remarkable contrast between the clubs whenever they have met.

Recurring theme 
Milan, the wealthy aristocrats of Italian football, assembled against down-to-earth homegrown talent from the streets of Amsterdam, has been a recurring theme since their first encounter in the 1969 European Champion Clubs' Cup final.

Stellar cast 
In a match played at Real Madrid CF's Santiago Bernabéu stadium, each side performed their role perfectly. Milan, who had won the competition in 1963, were graced with European Footballer of the Year Gianni Rivera, current Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni, and goalkeeper Fabio Cudicini, father of Chelsea FC custodian Carlo.

Total football
It was little wonder they ran out 4-1 winners. Striker Pierino Prati hit a hat-trick, opening the scoring after just seven minutes before adding a second ahead of half-time. At just 22, however, Johan Cruyff gave an early indication of the skill and determination that would change the face of football in the following decade. Indeed, Ajax would lift the trophy three years in a row - between 1971 and 1973 – in addition to introducing the world to 'total football'.

Milan hold sway
Yet it was Cruyff's captain, the late Velibor Vasovic, whose penalty briefly brought Ajax back into the game. Not to be outdone, Rivera raised the tempo once again and Angelo Sormani restored the two-goal advantage seven minutes later, leaving Prati to complete proceedings on 75 minutes.

Household names 
By the time of their next meeting, in the 1974 UEFA Super Cup, Cruyff had left for FC Barcelona but the likes of Piet Keizer, Johan Neeskens, Johnny Rep, Gerrie Muhren and Arie Haan had become household names. After a 1-0 defeat at the San Siro the Dutch turned on a masterclass at home, winning 6-0.

Last waltz 
That joie de vivre was evident again in the 1995 UEFA Champions League final as the teams lined up in Vienna for what was to be the last waltz for a great Milan side and also marked the last time a smaller, less wealthy club would capture the continent's biggest prize.

Youthful complexion 
Ajax had already defeated the Italian side in their two group engagements that season, but the final was a different matter. After all, Milan had been crowned champions on three occasions since 1989. The likes of Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Costacurta were all in their lineup, while their opponents more closely resembled a youth team, joking and playing tricks with the ball prior to the start.

The Ajax way 
However, these kids had grown up together through the famous Ajax academy and were schooled in the unmistakable Dutch style. Twins Ronald and Frank de Boer were joined by neighbourhood friends Edgar Davids, Patrick Kluivert, Clarence Seedorf and Michael Reiziger. Marc Overmars, Edwin van der Sar, Finidi George, Nwankwo Kanu and Jari Litmanen were also part of a squad developed by coach Louis van Gaal.

Incredible achievement 
The 18-year-old Kluivert scored the only goal of the game deep in the second half to cap an incredible achievement. However, reality soon kicked in as the new Bosman ruling enabled the likes of Milan, Barcelona, Internazionale FC et al to dismantle one of the most exciting sides of the modern era.

Current crop 
Another triumph in the elegant surroundings of Milan on Wednesday could herald another exodus of Ajax starlets, although coach Ronald Koeman believes many will stay on to complete their education at the Amsterdam ArenA.

Additional reporting by Paolo Menicucci