CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 1962/63

For two consecutive years, Italian teams had been beaten in the European Cup final by Real Madrid: Fiorentina were defeated in 1957 at the Bernabeu, while AC Milan came up short after extra time a year later in Brussels. The Rossoneri wanted to make up for that loss and make history: the aim was to become the first Italian team to win the competition. And although the road was long, this is exactly what they achieved. With Bruno Mora (who joined in a swap deal involving Salvadore) and the Peruvian Benitez now in the side, Rocco and Viani realised that Inter were heading towards the Scudetto title.

But in truth, the Rossoneri only had eyes for the European Cup that campaign. After eliminating Union Luxembourg (8-0 and 6-0), English champions Ipswich Town (3-0 and 1-2), Turkish side Galatasaray (3-1 and 5-0) and Scottish team Dundee (5-1 and 0-1), it all came down the final against two-time European champions Benfica in London. On 22 May 1963, AC Milan overcame the Portuguese side, winning the competition at the world-famous Wembley. Captain Cesare Maldini lifted the most prestigious trophy in club football to the sky. Then, during the summer, the Diavolo organised the Città di Milano, a three-team tournament also involving world club champions Santos and Italian champions Inter. The Rossoneri achieved two brilliant results, beating both the Brazilians and the Nerazzurri 4-0.