The second step to his legendary status came with his return to the San Siro. Some may argue that even if he didn’t coach Milan he would still be a legend, and yes it is debatable but what he did in seven seasons at the helm is more than enough and rivals many of the Milan tacticians before him. His road back to the San Siro was not very direct; in fact he stopped for some time at Parma and Juventus, where despite being rather successful in the win column, silverware became rather elusive. Despite this “almost” label Carletto returned to Milan to take over the job on the bench and have a very successful run.

He shedded the “almost” label in 2002-2003 as he led Milan to a penalty victory over Juventus and another CL nearly man, Marcello Lippi, a legend in his own right, while also winning the Coppa Italia. Soon thereafter Milan won their first and only scudetto under Carletto. This little fact is in fact a point of contention for Milan Ancelotti detractors, who claim that he didn’t know how to get the job done in the Serie A, and yes this may in fact be true, but a quick glance at the depth of the rosters he had and it can be argued that his teams were not built to compete on two fronts, and in fact only built to compete in Carletto’s bread and butter, the Champions League.

Following the Old Trafford win, Milan made two more appearances under Ancelotti in the Final. The first being the Istanbul nightmare, and the second being the redemption in Athens. With the victory in Athens Carletto won his second CL trophy in five seasons, and with a few quarterfinal and semifinal exits thrown in between. In his time with Milan he assured a spot in the later rounds of the Europe’s showpiece tournament with every chance he had, and eclipsed many of his peers as the master of the CL. So much so in fact that even Roman Abramovich of Chelsea understands his value and lured him away from Milan to Stamford Bridge where Carletto may continue his success in the CL.

Apart from his ability in the CL, what always impressed me about Ancelotti was his tactical sense and awareness. Again this was debatable toward the end of his career, but his Milan bench left him few options to the man. Ancelotti found ways to build squads around his stars, with Pirlo and Kaka being the most prominent. Ancelotti found a way to have these two work seamlessly, never more evident than in the 2007 CL. Under Ancelotti players like Pirlo, Seedorf, and even Il Capitano were given new leases on life and chances to succeed. He also oversaw the blossoming of players like Shevchenko and Kaka into World Players of the Year, and made such an impression on the likes of Gattuso, Pirlo, and Pato that many were willing to discuss following their Coach to his new home.

This legend post was bittersweet for me, knowing that Carletto is no longer a Milan man, and being fairly confident that he will do well at Chelsea with the players at his disposal. Sure maybe it was time for a change at the top, but I do not view the club in a better position at the moment, and the chemistry he created with many of his players will be virtually impossible to replace. Milan will move on, but his time at the club was greatly appreciated.

I tried to do Legend’s post every weekend in the summer last offseason, but this offseason my life is a bit in hectic mess. I will try to get at least two more up this summer for Maldini and the Flying Dutchman, and next weekend I will have full coverage of Milan’s trip to Boston to play Inter.

As much as Napoli needs the three points, Carletto and Co. need just a little bit more. Breathing room at the top of the table is always nice, and after scoring eight goals in two goals one would have take into consideration some momentum that has been built up despite ugly performances all around. Pippo has led the resurgence with five goals, and he is expected to partner with Pato yet again considering the contusion sustained by Kaka in his brief time against Siena. Kaka may be available, but Carletto will use fitness as his guide for that decision. The hot topic this week has been the man slated to play behind the strikers.

In one corner we have Clarence Seedorf, the tried and true veteran whose form has dipped considerably lately. In the other corner we have Ronaldinho whose form hasn’t even peeked to begin a decline, and whose inclusions have been few and far between since the New Year. Despite my indifference to the Brazilian, I believe he should be given his chance on Sunday, but the leash should be short considering the tension and importance of the match. We have discussed at length his positives and negatives this week both offensively and defensively, and the possibility of bringing on Seedorf with a lead, but the bottom line is the game isn’t one won with fancy stopovers and great through balls that lead to nothing. The game is one with goals, and whoever can help make that happen is the man that should in that position.

Pirlo who has also struggled with form since Rino has gone injured should figure into the middle of the pitch with Flamini and Beckham to his flanks. Becks has not played well in his improvised CAM role, considering his lack of left foot it is no real surprise, and he should play better in his natural position. He should focus though on creating width, and keeping crosses low and driven in an effort to make space for Zambro, but also to keep Cannavaro and Santacroce’s rather large frames out of the picture. Flamini’s running and running the pass two weeks remind me of a young Rino, and if he can channel that madness into positive movements, then he may finally cement himself into the winning eleven for the rest of the season, the ability is there, now let’s make it work! He will have his hands full with Hamsik, but if the midfield can stay compact than space for Hamsik will be very limited, and favor the Rossoneri.

Defensively, Zambro and Janks will be back to work, and have been fairly consistent throughout the season. The CB’s will most definitely include Maldini, but his partner is up for debate. Senderos may be outmatched by guys like Lavezzi and Zalayeta so if Bonera is healthy one would think he be favored. Favalli may also be a consideration, but again his pace may not be the answer. Whoever plays in that role will have to on their best form because the steady hands of Abbiati are no longer standing between the pipes.

It is sad that a quick you tube search of what was once one of the World’s Best Goalies leaves with you a cornucopia of errors and spoofs of a success that many people have forgotten. As hard as it may seem, we have to get behind Dida once again. Goalkeepers thrive on confidence and if Carletto, the club, and the curva get behind Dida, there is a chance that a bit of that World Class comes trickling back. I am not asking for vintage 2003 Dida, that may be lost forever, but even a half of that form, say vintage 2007?, should allow Milan to keep the points coming and contend for a spot in the top three. We need Dida and he needs us, this video should serve as a quick reminder of what he can do.

A key piece of the invincible four defensive unit that led Milan to the longest shutout in Serie A history, Tassotti not only played excellent defense but was also a very capable wing back who could fly up and down the right flank when needed. Mauro won three Champions League crowns with Milan and was able to hoist one himself as Captain in one of Milan’s most memorable wins in a European Final.

The most shocking thing for me as I remember and researched Tassotti was that he was very much overlooked because of the stiff competition he faced as a defender not only at Milan, but across Italy with the likes of Benarrivo, Apollonni, and the players before them playing at an extremely high level at the same time as Tassotti. He was not capped as a member of the Azzurri until he turned 32 which is even more of feat because he was able to play at the highest level until he retired a member of AC Milan in 1997 at the not so tender age of 37 years old. The trend of high quality aging defenders has been around at Milan for a long time, and the legacy continues.

Tassotti retired with very little fanfare, possibly because he started his career at Lazio and unlike those honored before him was not a Rossoneri for life. However, my father said something funny the other day when I asked him about Tassotti, he said that, “He did things quietly as a player and there was no reason for him to retire any differently,” You do not have to look to far for Tassotti now a days, as he sits along side Carletto week in and week out as Milan’s assistant coach and it is widely thought that he would replace Carletto in a pinch should something happen to the Milan mister.

3 Champions League trophies as a player, 2 as a coach, member of the invincibles, and one of the most humble and modest Milan Legends to date, more trophies than most clubs makes him a special piece of Milan for years to come.

For all the success Rossi experienced in net for AC Milan, and all the trophies he got his hands on, he very rarely gets credit for the success that he experienced. The number one thing you hear time and time again when Rossi is discussed is that he was the most fortunate GK of all time because he played behind arguably one of the best defensive units ever assembled. Couple this flaw, with the fact that Rossi was competing for the Azzuri job with Zenga and Pagliuca, he was one of the most successful goalies to never don the national team strip.

Now if anyone has ever had to stand between the pipes in a soccer match, they will be quick to tell you that no matter how good the defense, heck even if it is as good as the Milan unit was, no defense will keep the other team from shooting for ninety minutes. With that being said Rossi had to be on his toes and prepared for everything, as well as be a back line general for a phenomenal squad. I bet there are very few Rossoneri legends that would not thank Rossi for everything he accomplished.

As if the trophies were not enough to convince us about Rossi’s worth, and there were a few. Rossi was also the man who tended goal during Milan’s 58 game unbeaten streak. He also holds the Serie A record for consecutive clean sheets at 11, which is even more impressive in a league that has hosted the likes of Zoff, Zenga, Pagliuca, Peruzzi, and Buffon.

Rossi never got a heroes send off, even though there are a fair amount of people who argue he would deserve it. But Rossi is not gone or forgotten. He is currently coaching GK’s in the Rossoneri youth system, and on the current Milan roster is the man who displaced this Milan legend, Abbiati.

If any GK is going to move this team forward should it not be the man who replaced a legend?

I am not going to sit here and list his honors and achievements, because by know we all know the great teams he was a part of. Most of even know that he played right back for and center right back for some of the most legendary defenses in the history game, but for me Billy goes beyond that. It was 2003 and I was sitting with a friend of mine in college to watch Milan – Juventus for the CL final. As I began describe the Rossoneri to my friend I paused and admired Billy for all that he had accomplished at this age and that even at 37 years old he was playing in a Champions League Final. Maldini is well renowned for his ability to defy the aging process but Costacurta was no slouch himself. Making 458 appearances for Milan and retiring at 41 years old.

What I find even more impressive is that this man was replaced by a legend in his own right, Cafu, and it is only fitting that a player with such a history be replaced by another player with his own legacy. Billy has done it all in the Rossoneri and he did it all in manner that exuded professionalism and character during his whole career. Sure he wasn’t the flashiest player or most dazzling, but when the game counting there was not a more precise defender who did things effortlessly in cooperation with his legendary backline mates.

Billy has recently passed his coaching exams and is assisting the Milan system this season after turning down the coaching job for Pisa. Part of me is glad he did, because like the legends before I would gladly welcome him to roam the sidelines of the Rossoneri when he was ready to take the helm. As you can see, Costacurta went way beyond the 5 CL trophies, seven scudetti, and countless appearances. He was a player, who like the rest of the defense not only represented Milan but transcended into the stuff of legends.

Now if someone can just tell me where the nickname Billy came from?

Five scudetti and one glorious CL trophy top the list of Cappello’s Milan career. But what people forget is that with Milan, Capello truly coached the beautiful game, with the likes of the flying Dutchmen and the airtight defense of Baresi and company. He has been called a boring and defensive coach, but in that time when I truly became a passionate Milan fan I saw many a prolific game with Milan putting many a goal on the likes of Serie A’s finest teams. Scoring teams into submission from Spain to the tip of the boot.

Many players can also thank Don Fabio for their success thanks to their inclusion in these great squads in a very ideal manner. He had a way of putting players into the formation and making it work. Even if his formations where a bit defensive he was blessed with a great attacking group and excelled the careers of last week’s legend Demetrio, and the likes of Boban and Dejan. One man who can thank Capello for all his success is Cristian Panucci who has followed Don Fabio on all his European excursions.

Capello now roams the bench for the English National team where he is trying to lead the three lions to the World Cup, but as a Milan fan I can only hope that one day returns to roam the bench of the Azzuri when that endeavor is done. Before ending up in England however, Capello made stops in Roma (he must be good coach to lead these guys to a scudetto!), Juventus, and Real Madrid where he lead each and every club to domestic success but never again put his hands on old big ears. Though he may have been mired in the Calciopoli scandal, those Juventus teams played hard and smart, but the rest is for the Juventus fans to decide.

I will say that for me there is no better club coach on the planet, and in time he will be able to prove his mettle on the International stage, but lets just hope he succeeds at home instead of abroad.

It is hard to call a player like Pirlo a modern day Albertini because these guys for me are different. They are once in a lifetime type players, one off in each generation of footballers who do things just a bit different than everybody else. For Albertini the era of midfielders was chock full of wingers and central midfielders who loved to be on the ball and attack their way up the pitch, but that wasn’t Demetrio. Demetrio did it his way, working and winning the ball around the center circle and either spraying the ball to the wings or carrying it to around 30 meters from goal and blasted long range shots on that made even the best goalies cringe.

Beckham, CRon, and all the other great strikers of the dead ball, need not look very far for one of the most underrated players I have ever watched. But another thing that Albertini did, that is a far cry from the players of this era, or even then, was he did everything with humility and a smile. He could have easily whined his way out of Milan when he was no longer in the winning eleven, but instead he left the squad on good graces and ultimately ended his career playing for another legendary club in Barcelona.

His humility was recognized and remembered by Milan, and he was honored much like the heroes before him in the video below, and though he may never go down as one of Milan’s all time greatest players he will in fact always remain a player that a child, much like myself, would do well to emulate and aspire to be like because of the way he went about his business. He may have never won the golden ball, golden boot, or even the player of value in tournaments and so on, but his contribution can’t be denied or forgotten.

More…

Baresi cracked the first team in 1977 playing his first game for Milan, and went on to make 532 appearances for the Red and Black. In twenty seasons Baresi averages closed to 25 appearances a year for Milan, playing the role of sweeper, captain and all around general of the back.

Bust like most Milan legends, stats alone don’t tell the real story of the Milan number six. You had to watch him in action to know exactly what made him special. For the past twenty years we have been spoiled with Maldini and his offense runs up the flanks, and his phenomenal tackles at the touch line. With Baresi the runs came right up the gut, and the tackles happened wherever an offense player dared to touch the ball near Milan’s penalty area. What Paolo, perfected with the slide tackle, Baresi did standing up. I remember watching a match in which Hristo Stoichkov came barreling down the pitch, if anyone is familiar with Stoichkov you know that barreling is the perfect analogy, and Baresi so calmly dispossed him that Stoichkov barely even noticed he had parted ways with the ball. That summed up the defensive prowess of the Milan sweeper.

Sweeper is another thing that gets taken for granted when we talk about Baresi. The whole notion of a sweeper is lost with the current setup of four fullbacks, with the two centerbacks holding back as almost dual sweepers. Baresi did this alone staying with the last man but never declined a chance to go forward and get into the attack. I remember when I first started playing this game in an organized fashion and people will talk about the sweeper and its importance, and I couldn’t help but smile knowing that Baresi was the sweeper that every aspiring kid should play like. My father who coached me back then even employed a sweeper, it was not me, but the kid was lights out as we went on our own mini-invincible run.

Success is also word that is synonymous with Franco Baresi. Only Maldini has won more games in the Milan shirt than Franco Baresi, more scudetti , and more trophies. But before Maldini there was only one and that was Baresi. No captain has seen the success that he has seen, not even Paolo, and that just goes to show how special a player, and teammate he really was. Like his mentor and coach Arrigo Sacchi there is one success that eludes the great number six, and that was the World Cup. Baresi, who could barely walk in the final against Brazil, stepped up and missed his PK which ultimately led to the loss to Brazil. I will never forget his tears that day as he handed the armband to Paolo, and effectively ended his career as a member of the Azzuri.

Baresi would give three more years to the Rossoneri, but even that had to come an end. It was a game and a day that I will forever remember. The clip below does not do it justice because of the pure emotion that was involved. But the words of Silvio Berlusconi will ring true for while, “Selling Franco Baresi would be like selling the flag of Milan itself.” Even ol’Berlu shed tears on Baresi’s last day, and with those tears Berlusconi bestowed the ultimate honor that few if any players in soccer ever receive. The number 6 of Baresi was retired at Milan, and still to this day no player on any pitch wearing the number six goes by without getting an extra look from me, wondering if he or she knows the significance of the number that hands on their back.

Baresi started a tradition of one man, one club, one captain, that Milan is fortunate to continue with to this day. For close to 30 years Milan has had the strongest, continuous, and successful stretch of Captaincy that no club has even come close to. It is amazing how fortunate we truly are, you can say whatever you want about Milan, but that is something that no one can take away.

I leave you with this great video; again it doesn’t truly do it justice.