EUROPEAN SUPER CUP 2003

On the evening of AC Milan v Porto, the Rossoneri were unaware that their opponents’ manager would go on to become one of their biggest rivals in history, that is to say, José Mourinho. Despite AC Milan’s many chances, victory did not come easily and Dida was called upon to make some big saves. However, the first trophy of the season arrived with the Rossoneri lifting the UEFA Super Cup just months after their triumph in Manchester. Ricardo Kaká was present in Monaco, but he wasn’t yet officially eligible and would have to wait to make his debut a few days later at Ancona.

Laura Pausini was also there, and after the match Carlo Ancelotti and his players joined her at the Hermitage Hotel to sing and dance long into the night for the season’s first party. Before the match, due to the Rossoneri’s run of pre-season friendlies without a win, some journalists had asked Carlo Ancelotti: “Did AC Milan stay in Manchester by any chance?”. The coach answered emphatically: “We’re back from Manchester and you’ll see that tomorrow.” Everyone saw it: AC Milan 1-0 Porto and the Rossoneri were European Super Cup winners.