May was an exciting month for Italian teams. Because, in May, especially in the second week, Italy’s top teams can reminisce. Remembering the glories of the past. What is it about the second week of May? In the European soccer calendar, mainly the European Champions League, the second week of May and so on is the time for the Champions League final schedule. Most often held in the third week of Europe.
Well, in the past, three Italian teams, AC Milan, Juventus and Inter Milan have sweet memories in the Champions League. For the sake of nostalgia, Inter Milan even made the hashtag # Triplete2010 on their social media accounts. We know, 2010 is a phenomenal year for Inter Milan. They won the treble winner (champions of the Italian League, Coppa Italia and the Champions League) when they were managed by Jose Mourinho.
Well, the peak of the Inter Milan treble achievement that occurred on May 22. When they won the Champions League in Madrid after beating Bayern Munich 2-0. Juventus also did not miss posting sweet memories 24 years ago on their Instagram account. When Gianluca Vialli and his friends won the Champions League on May 22, 1996 after defeating Ajax Amsterdam via penalties in Rome.
But, for this nostalgic affair, AC Milan are the team that people look up the most in May. In fact, throughout May, AC Milan @acmilan’s official Instagram account has seven times posted memories when I’rossoneri won the Champions League. Because indeed, Milan has won the Champions League 7 times.
Posting on the Milan’s social media account began on May 18. When Milan won the 1994 Champions League in Athens when they beat Barcelona, Johan Cruyff who was at that time more favored. Then in a row when the champion at Wembley on May 22, 1963 which is the first title. Then, on May 23 the winners in Vienna in 1990 and Athens 2007 were Milan’s last titles. Then the champion in Barcelona on May 24, 1989.
And May 28th, Milan posted their last nostalgic post when it won at Madrid in 1969. Also, at Old Trafford Manchester in 2003. Well, the moment at Old Trafford on May 28, 2003 became a memory that is not only beautiful for AC Milan, but also Italian football. Because, in that year, two Italian teams could appear in the Champions League final. Milan face Juventus.
Until now, the 2003 final at Old Trafford, the only moment for two Italian teams to meet in the Champions League final since the new format was implemented from the 1992/93 season. This might not happen again very soon. Since the final, the Champions League has alternately been dominated by English teams. From 2005 to 2009, the England team could always appear in the finals. It continued in 2011 and 2012. The climax occurred in the 2008 final which presented Manchester United and Chelsea.
Then came the glorious era of Barcelona who won in 2009, 2011, also before 2006. Then two German teams, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund were present in the 2013 final. Then, from 2014 to 2018, Spanish teams always performed in the finals. In fact, in the 2014 and 2016 editions, the Champions League final presented Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid who appeared twice in the final both were won by Madrid.
In fact, Real Madrid became the first team to be able to hat-trick (three times in a row) Champions League champions. They won in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Back in the Italian team, the 90s and early 2000s were indeed the period of the glory of Italian clubs. They triumphed in European competition. In addition to Milan and Juventus playing in the Champions League, there are also Parma and Lazio who collect UEFA Cup titles – which became the forerunner of the Europa League.
That’s the story before, how about now? In the last decade, Italian teams are still like ‘wanderers’ who “forget” the way back home. They have not been able to restore the glory era in Europe as before. In fact, it took 20 years to fall back to know when the last time the Italian team could win the Champions League. Namely when Inter Milan won the 2010 championship.
Since then, over the past decade, Italian teams have never been able to lift a trophy on a big stage called the Champions League. Indeed, Juventus could make two appearances in the finals in 2015 and 2017. However, in the end they only became spectators when the Barcelona and Real Madrid players lifted the “wide-ears” trophy at the end of the match.
Then, is it wrong to reminisce about the glory of the past as did the Italian teams? Nothing is wrong for sure. By remembering the glory of the past, a sense of love and pride will emerge in the club. Mainly for fans who support the club. Reminisce about remembering the past is also good for teams to foster new motivation. Like AC Milan, which in the last few years could not appear in the Champions League.
By posting pieces of past memories, Milan’s social media team certainly hopes that the post will be a motivation for players and coaches of Milan now. It will be great motivation to return Milan to the Champions League, even back to glory in Europe. Of course, in football, reminiscing and hoping to restore memories cannot just post memories of the past. But it is also supported by a strong commitment from the club.
Like a financially supported club management, strengthening the team by bringing in top players in order to increase the chances of champions. These players also appear solid and want to work on the field. As Juventus are curious to hunt for his third title in the Champions League since the last time won it in 1996 ago. Since the 2018/19 season, Juventus brought Cristiano Ronaldo.
By bringing in Ronaldo, who has won four times with Real Madrid, Juventus certainly hope to be back victorious in Europe after waiting 24 years. Can it be realized? To know the answer, we still have to be patient whether the 2019/20 Champions League, which was stopped due to the impact of Covid-19, will continue.
In the end, it is not impossible that Italian teams will be able to repeat the victorious memories of the Champions League. Because, soccer is full of dynamics.The teams that had once triumphed, are now sinking. While teams that don’t have a long history can now succeed. In fact, there are teams that have to wait years for champions.
For example, Real Madrid had to wait 12 years to return to the final after the last time they appeared in the 2002 final. Inter Milan instead waited 35 years to win the championship again. From the champion in 1965, the champion returned in 2010. In fact, Barcelona since its foundation in 1899 until 2005 won only one trophy. Then, since Frank Rijkaard was led by Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique Martinez, they won in 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015.
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