#ONTHISDAY: 1989, AC MILAN 5-0 REAL MADRID

AC Milan's history is not just the trophy cabinet. There are victories that may not be in the book, but which nonetheless left their mark. The Rossoneri's resounding 5-0 thrashing of Real Madrid in the 1988/89 European Cup surprised the world and shook the footballing world: one of the greatest expressions of Sacchi's Immortals, one of the finest moments of the Berlusconi era. It was 19 April, like today, 34 years ago. Let's relive the comeback of that unforgettable semi-final in stride:

The big match is highly anticipated, unmissable. Made even more heated by the 1-1 first leg at the Bernabéu, the famous draw thanks to van Basten's splendid header at the death. It's bedlam at San Siro, with 73,112 spectators in attendance.

A deadly start, the Rossoneri went on the attack from the outset. Ancelotti's mastery opened the scoring in the 18th minute: a tight dribble past two men, then a shot from distance past Buyo and into the net.

The Milanese right side was a great strength and showed itself to be in great form, and from Donadoni and Colombo came the action that led to the second at the 25 minute mark: on the development of a corner kick, Tassotti sent it in and Rijkaard headed home.

At the end of the first half, the Diavolo put the game on ice. Donadoni was unstoppable, this time from the left flank he took on his man, got into space and crossed it in for Gullit's header.

It was the same script in the second half, in fact it was even more one-sided. Van Basten was quiet, but he joined the party in the 49th minute, scoring the fourth: a powerful left-footer following Rijkaard's throw and Gullit's pass. Dutch trio on top, AC Milan extraordinary.

The energy didn't drop. Before an hour's play, Virdis replaced Gullit in a precarious condition and, above all, Donadoni settled the final verdict by putting the icing on a remarkable performance with a venomous low shot that left the goalkeeper fishing for 5-0.

IT'S OVER! A perfect AC Milan eliminated Real Madrid and flew to Barcelona, where at the Camp Nou on 24 May 1989 they would crush Steaua Bucharest 4-0 to win their third Champions Cup, the first in the Berlusconi era.

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