May was an exciting month for Italian teams. Because, in May, especially in the second week and above, Italy’s top teams can reminisce about the glory in the past.
What is it about the second, third and fourth 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. In the past, three Italian teams, AC Milan, Juventus and Inter Milan have sweet memories in the Champions League.
Inter Milan
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 looked after by Jose Mourinho.
Well, the peak of the Inter Milan treble achievement occurred on May 22. They won the Champions League in Madrid after beating Bayern Munich 2-0.
Juventus
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.
AC Milan
In fact, throughout May, AC Milan @acmilan’s official Instagram account has seven (7) times posted memories when I’rossoneri won the Champions League. Because indeed, Milan has won the Champions League 7 times.
Posting on the IG Milan account began on May 18. Milan won the 1994 Champions League in Athens when they beat Barcelona who was at that time more favored. Then in a row they posted their championship 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 today, May 28, 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 1992/1993 season.
Since the final, the Champions League has alternately been dominated by English teams. From 2005 to 2009, the English 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.
Finally, 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 appeared in the finals.
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.
How about now?
In the last decade, Italian teams have not been able to restore the era of glory in Europe as before. In fact, it took 20 years 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 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. 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 the past is also good for teams to foster new motivation. By posting pieces of memories from the past, Milan’s social media team certainly hopes that the post will be a motivation for Milan players and coaches of the current era. Motivation to return Milan to the Champions League. Even back to glory in Europe.
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 wheels spin in the Champions League.
