| The three players in question were Marco van Basten, | | | | one of their heaviest defeats in Europe. It was Carlo |
| Ruud Gullit and Frank Rikaard. Rikaard and Gullit had | | | | Ancelotti of all people who gave Milan the lead with a |
| something in common as they were both half Dutch | | | | powerful drive from 30 yards. Not long after Frank |
| and half Surinamese, giving them a striking dark | | | | Rijkaard headed home the second, and another |
| skinned appearance with dark curly locks. Strangely | | | | headed goal from Gullit sent Milan in at half time leading |
| enough before arriving at Milan, the Dutch trio rarely | | | | 3-0. A few minutes into the second half signs of the |
| played together, although Rijkaard and Van Basten | | | | almost telepathic understanding that had built up |
| were on Ajax Amsterdam's books at the same time. | | | | between the Dutch trio in the less than two seasons |
| Ruud Gullit made his way to Milan from PSV | | | | they had played together was stamped in history, as |
| Eindhoven, after having played beforehand for a | | | | Gullit and Rijkaard combined to lay the ball on plate to |
| couple of minor Dutch clubs. | | | | Van Basten who clinically rammed the ball into the |
| It was Milan chairman Sylvia Berlusconi who saw the | | | | Real net. The stadium rose as one to celebrate this |
| potential in the Dutch trio and brought them to Milan for | | | | remarkable group of footballers. Local Donadoni put |
| the 1987-88 seasons, raising a few eyebrows in the | | | | the icing on the cake of a remarkable victory, and as |
| process. Yet the three players made an instant impact. | | | | the news broke that Milan were to meet relative |
| Rikaard could either play in defense or defensive | | | | underdogs Steaua Bucharest in the final to be played |
| midfield, Gullit was a gifted and flight of foot attacking | | | | in Barcelona, the feeling was that the trophy was theirs |
| midfielder and Van Basten was a classic goal scorer, | | | | for the taking. |
| who could strike equally well with both feet as well as | | | | Estimates are that more than eighty thousand Milan |
| being very strong in the air. Milan won the Milan won | | | | supporters made their way to the Camp Nou to see |
| their first Italian Championship (Scudetto) for eight | | | | their beloved team play in the final. Although Steaua |
| years, with Rikaard and Gullit both making valuable | | | | were the underdogs, they had won the European cup |
| contributions, However van Basten only donned the | | | | three years previously and superbly marshaled by the |
| red and black soccer uniform of AC Milan for just | | | | superbly talented Gheorghe Hagi they were still worth |
| eleven games, being constantly troubled by an ankle | | | | taking seriously. However as the game got under way, |
| injury. An injury that would later return and end his | | | | it soon became obvious that this was a great football |
| career prematurely. | | | | team, and a victory earned by playing in style was |
| As the 1988/89 season began there was an air of | | | | inevitable. The first goal was not long in coming as a |
| optimism around Milan that this team was about to do | | | | powerful shot from Van Basten cross shot was only |
| great things, and the attractive football and | | | | parried the Steaua goalkeeper and Gullit was on the |
| performances in domestic tournaments certainly | | | | spot to prod home the rebound. |
| proved that. However the team were stuttering badly | | | | Half way through the first half a Milan corner was |
| in Europe and despite some really weak | | | | cleared headed home by Van Basten and with seven |
| performances made it to the semi- final against a very | | | | minutes to go till half time, Gullit scored his second of |
| strong Real Madrid It was expected that the free | | | | the night as he crashed a volley into the roof of the |
| scoring Hugo Sanchez and his team mates would | | | | net to make it 3-0 and virtually closing the match as a |
| rapidly end Milan's interest in the tournament for that | | | | contest. Within a minute of the second half kicking off, |
| season. It certainly seemed that way in the first leg at | | | | goal number four was already being recorded, this |
| the Bernabeu when Sanchez put the Real into the | | | | time with Van Basten strolling onto yet another |
| lead in the first half. However Rijkaard and Carlo | | | | Rijkaard inch perfect pass to steer the ball home. Milan |
| Ancelotti controlled and marshaled the Milan defence | | | | undoubtedly took their foot off the gas to prevent the |
| as real mounted wave after wave of attacks. The | | | | game Steaua team unnecessary punishment, with the |
| giant stadium was hushed into silence as Milan scored | | | | remaining highlight being Ruud Gullit's substitution with |
| a fluke equalizer against the run of the play, as a | | | | half an hour still on the clock, a sign of Milan's total |
| header from Van Basten hit the bar and rebounded | | | | supremacy on the park. As legendary captain Franco |
| off the back of goalkeeper Buoy into the net. | | | | Baresi with his red/black soccer uniform lifted the |
| The skeptics said that real would still take the second | | | | European it marked the most comprehensive win in a |
| leg in San Siro. They were forced to eat their words | | | | European Cup final since 1974, and the day that three |
| as Milan's domestic form eventually came together on | | | | soccer legends were born. |
| the European stage and the Spanish champions fell to | | | | |