i was thinking to open this thread so we can all write something about ac milan's history, the greatest players and games!! trivia, biography's, milan best years, ecc. i think there are many people who like this club and support it not only in italy and perhaps many of them don't know that much about the team or it's past, and they would like to know more about it!!
so post!! ;)

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Name: Giuseppe (Peppino) Meazza
Nickname: il Balilla
Date of Birth: 23 August 1910
Place of Birth: Milano, Italy
Died: 1979
Position: Midfielder
National Team
Games: 53 (Inter) Goals: 33 (Inter) Captain: 17 (Inter)
Honours: 2-World Champion 1934, 1938 (Captain).
2-Coppa Internazionale 1930, 1935
Records: First player to win two World Cups and consecutive ones.
First player to win a World Cup outside his home country.
First European player to win two World Cups and also
consecutive ones
Trainer: 8games - 2 wins, 2 draws, 4 lost
Seria A
Clubs: Ambrosiana-Inter, Milan, Juventus, Atalanta, (Varese)
Seasons: 17 (Inter-13, Milan-2, Juventus-1, Atalanta-1)
Games: 439 (Inter-361, Milan-37, Juventus-27, Atalanta-14)
Goals: 264 (Inter-243, Milan-9, Juventus-10, Atalanta-2)
Honours: 2-Italian Champion (Inter-1929/30, 1937/38)
3-Seria A Top Scorer (Inter-1929/30 31goals, 1935/36 25goals, 1937/38 20goals).
2-Seria A Runner-up Top Scorer (Inter-1930/31 25goals, 1931/32 22goals
1-Coppa Italia (Inter 1938/39)
Records: 6 Goals in one Match, 12 May 1929 Inter v Venezia 10-2

Peppino Meazza, regarded the best soccer player Italy has ever produced, was born on the 23 August 1910 in Milano. He was noted playing in a small ground on the outskirts of the Lombard city and made his debut with Inter at the age of 17 in 1927 when in a game of the Coppa Volta he scored two goals against Dominante. From this first game he immediately impressed everyone and from then onwards he never disappointed his fans.His play was elegant, intelligent, correct and his speciality was always to start his run with the ball from half ground, dribbling and making false movements to get rid of his opponents until he arrives in front of the poles and scoring by dribbling the goalkeeper. It is known that during the 1933 season Meazza made a bet with Giampiero Combi, the legendary goalkeeper of Juventus and the captain of the 1934 World Champion Italian National Team. During a discussion between the two friends about the intuition of goalkeepers to understand the false movements of star attackers when they come face to face, Combi said that not even Meazza could sidestep him when they came in front of each other. Meazza challenged him and Combi accepted. The next game between Ambrosiana Inter and Juventus was played in the Arena di Milano and Meazza managed to score a beautiful goal when he run from half ground with the ball dribbling many defenders, amongst them the Italo-Argentin Luisito Monti another 1934 World Champion,
and beating Combi by a false move to enter in the net with the ball. It is said that Combi immediately went and shook his hand.
His goal-scoring record is impressive. He scored in all his 17 Seria A seasons, a total of 264 goals in 439 games. He won three times the Seria A top-scorer (1929-30, 1935-36, 1937-38) and twice finished runner-up (1930-31, 1931-32). His first Hat-trick arrived in October 1928 when Inter won 5-1 against Brescia. He scored 5 goals in one game, twice in one season: 6 January 1929 Inter v Pistoiese 9-1 and 17 March 1929 Inter v Verona 9-0. But in the same season (1928/29) he also had his greatest moment in his club career when on the 12 May 1929 in the game Inter v Venezia 10-2 he scored six goals an absolute record still held up till this day.With the blue national team shirt he scored 33 goals in 53 games, remaining the azzurri top-scorer for more then 30 years until the 1970s. Today he is still holding as the runner-up national team top scorer with just two goals difference from the top scorer Riva. With the azzurro his greatest moments as scorer were when he scored a double and hit the post against the 'Masters' England with Italy 3-0 down and with only 10 players on the field in the 'Battle of Highbury' (14 November 1934 England v Italy 3-2) and a hat-trick against the mighty Hungary in Budapest (11 May 1930 Hungary v Italy 0-5).

He made his debut in the national team at the age of 19 on the 9th February 1930 in the Stadio Nazionale del P.N.F. in Rome. In that occasion Italy played a friendly game against Switzerland and won 4-2 although after only 19 minutes they were already two goals down. Meazza scored two goals in this match in less then two minutes on the 37 and 39 minutes.In the same year of his debut he won with Italy it's first major trophy when they won the 1st Edition of the Coppa Internazionale a sort of 'European Nations Cup' held between the central European countries. This was a prelude to the 1934 victory in the World Cup when Italy became World Champions on their home ground. Therefore, together with his other 21 friends in the squad they became the first Europeans to win the World Cup. In that occasion Meazza played in all the five games and scored two goals. In 1935 he again formed part of the group who won for the second time the Coppa Internazionale (3rd Edition) - nine Italian players won both editions of the Coppa Internazionale and Meazza was one of them.In 1938 he lead as Captain the Azzurri to yet another World Championship victory when Italy won the Rimet Cup in France. He again played in all the four games and scored one goal. Together with his teammates they became the first players to win a World Cup outside their country and with Giovanni Ferrari and Eraldo Monzeglio he has the record of being the first player to win two World Cups and consecutive ones. Up till today all three are still the only Europeans who achieved this record. He played his last match with the Azzurri nine years after his debut, on the 20 July 1939 at the Olympiastadion in Helsinki when he captained Italy to a 3-2 win over Finland in a friendly match. In total he played 53 games, 17 of them as Captain and scored 33 goals with the National team.With Inter (Ambrosiana) he played twelve consecutive seasons since his debut in Seria A, from 1927-28 to 1938-39, In these years he played 344 games, scored 241 goals, won two Italian Championships (1929-30, 1937-38) and one Coppa Italia (1938-39). Due to his extravagant life, in the late thirties he found himself in a bad economical situation at the same time that bad circulation in his left leg left him out of play for a whole season 1939-40. When he returned to play, his class was still evident but he lost his speed and a series of transfers lead him to play two seasons with Inter's arch rivals Milan (1940-41, 1941-42) and one season with Juventus (1942-43). During the Second World War he played 14 games and scored 7 goals with Varese in an unofficial competition and after the war he joined Atalanta for the season 1945-46. In total he played 37 games and scored 9 goals for Milan, played 27 games and scored 10 goals for Juventus and played 14 games with 2 goals for Atalanta. But with Inter in a real bad situation, the season 1946-47 saw him returning home as player-coach to help them survive the relegation. He scored 2 goals in 17 games, to reach a total with Inter to 361 games with 243 goals. His last match in the Seria A was Inter v Bologna in Stadio San Siro on the 29 June 1947.This was his last season as player bringing an end to seventeen years in the Seria A, playing 439 games and scoring 264 goals. He started coaching but this career wasn't very successful, as he never managed to pass his talents to his players. For fifteen months he also returned with the National team as trainer together with Beretta as the technical coach. During this period, from 24 February 1952 to 17 May 1953, the Azzurri played 8 games winning 2, losing 4 and draw 2. He died in 1979 at the age of 68 and on the 23 August 1979, on the occasion of his 69th birthday the Council of the City of Milano changed the name of the stadium Stadio San Siro to Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

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Stadium History and Information
The Giuseppe Meazza Stadium a.k.a. San Siro (the nickname was given in memory of a saint) is one of the most famous stadiums in the world. Inaugurated September 19th, 1926, it was a gift for AC Milan from Piero Pirelli, the president of AC Milan at that time. The building of the stadium took approximately one year. The result were four stands and a capacity of 10,000.



In 1938 Internazionale Milan starts to play also on the stadium! Later, in 1939, the stands (perimeter area) were enlarged, and the capacity was increased to 55,000 spectators. Later, in March 1952, the stadium's famous ramps were built, and the total capacity was estimated to be 150,000 people. However, it was decided by Milano's council that access would only be given to 100,000 people for security reasons. In 1989 the stadium went through some final renovations due to the fact that it would host the 1990 World Cup Final to be played between West Germany and Argentina. Eleven stair towers were built and a third seating ring was added, increasing the capacity to 85,000 spectators, as we know it today. A fiberglass roof was constructed, which provides specators comfort from rain during the matches. There are three different rings for seating. Below is a diagram and pricing and technical information.



As you can see the stadium consist of three different rings, which are divided by coloured zoned. Orange and red for the rectangular zones and green and blue for the curved zones. The stadium can be found on the west of Milan in the area called Ovest di Milano (zona San Siro). To access the stadium with public transportation the following travel times are given:
Central station : 25 minutes
Linate airport : 30 minutes
Malpensa airport : 50 minutes
Highway : 20 minutes

Ring 1: 31,877 seats
Ring 2: 33,932 seats
Ring 3: 19,891 seats

Technical Information:
Size of pitch: 105 x 68 meters
Press Boxes: 196 seats
Total seats: 85.700
Electronic Boards: 2
Pitch has underground heating facilities
Pitch can be totally covered by tarpaulin
Closed circuit TV system inside and outside stadium
Underground car parking facility for players and referees

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The group Brigate Rossonere (the Red and Black Brigade) was born from the fusion of two smaller groups in the South Stand fan enclosure: the Cava del Demonio' (Devil's Cave) and the 'Ultras'. They were soon joined by some former members of the group 'Fossa Dei Leoni' (Lion's Den), who, at that time, were occupying the seats situated half way between the maxi screen and the South Stand.
The first time we revealed our banner was on October 19, 1975 at the away game Bologna - Milan.

All our associates participate actively, but only in the time at their disposal and never against their will. The group's organisation is democratic and is based on the general consensus - not under on any sort of forced action.

Our strength is our enthusiasm - which comes from the heart.

The group is funded through the revenue received from subscription fees and the sale of Brigate Rossonere fan merchandise such as scarves, shirts, bandanas, pins, flags, caps and photos - which bear our name, colours and symbols. Our objective is the full-harted support of our team at home, away, everywhere and always in the glory of victory and the sadness of defeat.

Our choreographies are famous all over the world and are often imitated.

The Brigate Rossonere has always followed AC Milan at all matches played in the San Siro stadium and away in Serie A, UEFA Cup, Champion's League, Italian Cup and Cup Winner's Cup fixtures. The group has a constant need for new members who are willing to cooperate actively.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN US AND THE TEAM
Like other 'Ultras' groups, we are often accused on the one hand to be paid by the team and on the other not even to be officially recognized by them. We would like to strongly underline that we do indeed have a good relationship with the team's Board of Directors, but we make all group decisions independently and freely. We have a rather low level of interest on who is the club's president or the actual members of the Board. What we really care about are our glorious red and black colours following the motto "Men come and go - Milan is here to stay ".

Obviously we are happy to have a strong team and famous players wearing our team's famous shirt, but (and this is a proven fact) in the disappointing years of relegation, without trophies and glory, our devotion to the team as well as our continued support has never lost strength.

EVERYWHERE AND ALWAYS

This is how we define our will to follow AC Milan. We are not the kind of people who bragg about relationships with players or access to areas which are normally off-limits to visitors. Our pride is the fact that we can support our players wearing the red and black jerseys - through our choreographies, songs and capability of being ANYWHERE our TEAM is playing. We are not deterred by distant away matches which may be expensive, difficult to reach or dangerous. We are so convinced by the strength of our support that no threats, violence or lack of available tickets will prevent the Brigate Rossonere from being there and showing our passion.

We do not use FORCE, INTIMIDATION or VIOLENCE , but everybody knows that we do not run from anything, and if cornered, are willing and able to DEFEND ourselves and FIGHT BACK.

VIOLENCE

As we have already mentioned we are not aggressive: we simply love to follow AC MILAN EVERYWHERE and therefore we often are exposed to certain risks which cannot be avoided. In these circumstances the defense becomes a necessary behaviour.
We BRN have never deliberately attacked or harmed innocent people, destroyed cars, shops and railway stations of the cities which hosted us. Furthermore we have never involved anyone in any sort of episodes which were not justified by an important reason.

This is something to be proud of and this is why we can consider ourselves unique

BRIGATE is like a life story. It is a treasure jealously kept by each and everyone of us who are part of this fantastic and exciting adventure.
It is a life story not easy to tell, written on the stands and fan eclosures of soccer stadiums all over Italy and Europe, on the seats of buses, trains, cars and (few) planes. A story born around tables in bars and pubs and dark alleyways in the old and misty streets of Milan.

Thousands and more equally intense moments of happiness and sadness, incredible for anyone observing from the outside - yet a fondamental part of us. Stories made of PASSION and FAITH as well as LOVE and HATE. The result of the deep friendship and solidarity which unites all of us.

The pride and purity are the elements which bring us near to everyone who despises COWARDNESS and MEDIOCRITY.

BRIGATE means ALWAYS BEING THERE, in the first row, on the front line to RISK, to SUFFER and, most of all, to cheer and be together!!





THOUSAND ARMS SHALL REACH OUT TO EMBRACE OUR FLAG, THOUSAND VOICES SHALL RAISE TO SING OUR SONG

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To the extend of my memories, I only remember the period of the Van Basten, Gullit and Rijcaard era, which was one of the most exciting times in Milan history
I remember those three goals scored against Olympio (from Paraguay I think, not sure though), in that Inter-continental cup game, with Rijcaard scoring two headers, and Simone scoring the other one. All three goals, of course, had something to do with the three Dutch. Gullit's beautiful pass set up the first Rijcaard header. Basten's fake and hitting the goal post set up the Simone goal and again Basten's brilliant lob setup that beautiful diving header from Frank!!! What memories.

It's cold November 1990: we left the Tuesday morning (then the games they were always of wednesday. ...ah, what times) from Ferrara for the bypass of Mestre, where we would have had to peck the pullman of the sections that arrived from the Friuli, reaching the other in Milan, for then to leave all together for Bruges, return of CL. To the gone it was ended 0-0, therefore was a "trasferta" certainly not "reasonable". During the journey, we looked several times the videotapes of the endless semifinal of Cup of England Liverpool-Crystal Palace, finished 3-3 to the extra, and between the unfailing porno movies... in the euphoria we stop in Luxemburg to the first hours of the morning, with a panic cold.. "Shit, I saw two penguins!!" on my left, while pissing as well. The sign said "Brussels 396km", shit, how much are we still distant. ... arrived in the Venice of the North, so Bruges is called, we begin to turn proud of the colors that carry, attracting over the common looks of the Belgiums... with the pullman we go to the stadium, where begin the first problems.

No pike and no banner can enter, the cops are very arrogant. The first arrive on horseback, hearing the whistled, the horses go crazy, they wave the long clubs, one of them hit me... the situation seems to ease itself, but then other moments of tension near a pullman of the Fossa (who was present will be able to remember better, i was a a little bit further). I arrived there, in the exact moment in which Rob. Bert. screames to a cop: "VAFFANCULO! YOU AND WHO PUT YOU THAT UNIFORM!!!", I will never forget it.. Procession from the pullman to the stadium: "....e la zanzara è kaput! You experience it! Lady!" the Belgiums close look at each other: "but what the hell means Kaput? !?" they ask themself. Entrance to the stadium like we were cattle, walking close to a cop I shout him, to a centimeter from the face: "OOOOH! WE' ARE NOT ANIMALS! !!!" he me pushes me away and says: "**** OFF ITALIAN! TU SEI MERDA! !!" they can speak italian.. Between them a lot of scarfs of inter, some fiorentina's "?!?", they don't sing anything. First time in the rule, 0-0 and our reasonable supporting. It begin second time, gol of Coal, from our door. UUUUOOOOOAAAAHHH! !!! We fly! I fall and I lose a shoe, that i will recoup after five minutes... after some time, precisely under the place we were, Van Basten splits the malar to Plovie with a poke, the "cigno" was expelled, and a thick throw of objects happens. The cops to our right load immediately, we resist well, a lot of objects hit also their white helmets. ...

The game ends, we are qualified... outside we go out enough grouped, even if to tight contact with the Belgiums. ... without any problem, we are on the road again, you get tired but proud and pleased... almost all sleep, some of us remain awake to see "A fish called Wanda" first, and "Breakfast Club" then... we arrive at Milan verse noon very happy!!

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I probably became a milan fan when i was 5, in 1989 , psv won the euro cup 1 the year before, and milan's great team of the late '80/early '90's began.. with gullit, rijkaard and van basten.
I believe you played against steau boekarest.. and won 4-0 in the final, 2 times gullit 2 times van basten?
To bad i can't remember more of that time, it was the best time for PSV and Milan ever, I wish i was born 15 years earlier ;)

sylvester: in milan which coach of that time is more popular, sacchi or capello?

sacchi was slightly more popular!! in fact everyone says: "the golden time of arrigo sacchi!" capello was also very popular, but he lost some of that popularity when he came the second time ('96-'97) he wasn't able to do much, although i think nobody could have done something better in that situation!! :sad:

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I became a Milan fan about the same time as Sith...I can still name the squad at that time...let's see...

Rossi, Maldini, Baresi, Costacurta, Tasotti, Rijcaard, Gullit, Donadoni, Evani, Van Basten, Massarro

Do you guys think it's better to have only three non-local players per team like in the early 90's or is it better now with no limits

i became a milan fan in '81-'82! i was 4 years old and it was kind of a hereditary thing!!

i think it's important that the team works and wins, and as long as they do that i don't care if they are italian or foreigners!! :p

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I agree with you. Everyone loves to watch a highly competitive game and two all-star teams on the field. But what about all the controversy regarding developing younger Italian players. If all the clubs are buying international superstars, then those young guns won't have as much opportunities to play.

I'd say only 4 or 5 foreigners at the same time on the field...
for example take teams like Chelsea or Ajax, they have almost no english/dutch player and everywhere (also with psv ) there are mediocre foreign players blocking the developement of players from the own countie, foreigners are in generally more expensive and have less passion for their club (offcourse there are a lot exceptions, but in generally that's how it works)
Besides I think a dutch club should at least be half the players dutch, it's just a feeling i have, but sadly it is impossible to realize because of the european rules about the european union, who say every one from 1 of the countries of the EU can just work in any other countrie if they want to.
I think they should make an exception for sports, but who am I.

It's also bad for smaller competitions liek the dutch competition, because earlier only the really good went to spain/italy/england/germany but also the ones a little bit less good leave, let's say the boatengs, reizigers, bogardes and numans, while before these rules those players could stay in holland. And the very good players with the best examples Zenden and Seedorf will go later.. not when they are 18/20 or something but 23/24...

I totally agree with you Sith. Ajax and PSV are known to develop great dutch players (Van Basten, Bergkamp, the list goes on and on) and have them leave for bigger clubs at an early age. Do you think that is one of the reasons why Netherlands always has very very talented individual players but has problems as a team because they don't get to play together often?

Yes I think that's one of the many reasons, others are:

- Underestimating oppenents
- Some really weak positions, at this moment leftback and rightwing are really weak positions, for leftback we have midfielders zenden and van bronckhorst or a weak player Bouma.. who is to weak for PSV and defineely not worthy of the dutch team. Or the right wing with van der Meyde who has his moments, but does not belong in the team (yet?), which brings me to an other reason:
- Our system, in holland we are for some strage reason always stick to he 4-3-3 system, luckily advocaat looks like he's beginning to understand that's not the best system for the players we have, we should play 3-5-2, or 4-4-2..
- The teamspirit, almost every tournament there are problems, wether it is kluivert who went to the whores, davids who tells the coach to stick his head in david's behind, or just players who are not willing to work for each other, always there is something wrong
- And offcourse our penalty trauma, I really don't know how that happened, we were always great at penalties, but since 1992 (van basten missed) it's really been a trauma, 96: seedorf, 98: cocu, de boer, 00: de boer, kluivert, stam, bosveldt..
That's one advantage of not qualifying for World Cup 2002, we could not be knocked out trough penalties