UDINESE v AC MILAN: A PREVIOUS MEETING

The Rossoneri have recorded plenty of historically significant wins in Udine. One of these, in April 1999, made more history than others given its symbolic importance. As we await another edition of Udinese v AC Milan - Saturday at 20:45 CEST at the Dacia Arena - let's take a trip down memory lane with a 5-1 win 22 years ago.

SETTING THE SCENE
It was matchday 29 of Serie A 1998/99 and AC Milan were in a period of great resurgence. The dream of the Scudetto had previously seemed unattainable but the Rossoneri found themselves within four points (56 to 52) of leaders Lazio. After a goalless draw between Lazio and AC Milan at the Olimpico, there was only a month and a half left of the campaign. In the previous weekend, the Biancocelesti had been defeated 3-1 in the Derby, while the Rossoneri had beat Parma 2-1 at San Siro. The Diavolo went to Friuli to take on Guidolin's Udinese, who were fifth in the table, for a crucial clash in the title race. It was a must-win game.

FORMER PLAYERS
Zaccheroni and Bierhoff. Among the main Milan talking points ahead of the game, these two certainly featured heavily. The striker and the coach were formerly of Udinese and had joined the Rossoneri the previous summer after reaching the Champions League with the Friuli-based side. Zac abandoned his tradition 3-4-3 formation and went with Boban as the trequartista - an inspired decision. Zvonimir was the driving force of an almost perfect first half, scoring a brace: a penalty opened the account in the 15th minute before he doubled the lead with a precise finish from Weah's assist in the 37th minute. A deadly Oliver scored the knockout blow just moments before the break, heading home from a free-kick in his usual manner. At the start of the second half, Amoroso got one back for the home side but the German struck back to restore the three-goal cushion. George Weah, who starred on the day, but the icing on the cake and made it 5-1 with 30 minutes left to play.

THE DREAM OF THE SCUDETTO BECAME A REALITY
The celebrations were doubled at full time following Lazio's loss to Juve in Turin the night before. The title race was blown wide open that afternoon: AC Milan were still behind but Lazio's lead had been slashed to just one point. After Udinese, the Rossoneri recorded consecutive wins for the rest of the season, beating Vicenza, Sampdoria, Juve, Empoli - the round in which they overtook Eriksson's side after Lazio lost in Florence - and... Perugia. In Udine, the Diavolo had the Scudetto in its sights and went on to be crowned champions for the 16th time after an arduous and incredible season.

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