Rossoneri Advent Calendar Day 7: Andriy Shevchenko and the Clutch Goals

Andriy Shevchenko is one of AC Milan's best ever strikers who graced the San Siro with his brilliant pace and scintillating skill for seven seasons and an additional loan spell spanning the late 1990s and early 2000s. The Ukraine international won the Ballon d’Or with Milan in 2004 and was inducted into the Rossoneri's hall of fame. But perhaps his best record is being the all time top scorer in the Derby della Madonnina with 14 goals.

Photo by New Press/Getty Images

Shevchenko very much hit the ground running at Milan after his transfer as he managed to equal the record of four other foreign players to win the Capocannoniere award in their debut season. Shevchenko is perhaps one of the most influential strikers in the early 2000s and he was the major reason for Milan breaking a five year duck to win the Scudetto in 2003-04. Shevchenko was the top scorer again in that season and his goals were crucial as he scored against each of the top 5 (AS Roma, Inter Milan, Juventus and Parma). Importantly, the scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Roma on match day 32/34 to ensure Milan won the league. Shevchenko struggled with a number of injuries during his time with Milan but still managed to become the club's 2nd all time top scorer with 175 goals in just seven seasons. Most importantly Shevchenko came up clutch, he scored the winning penalty for his UCL, scored in the final for his Coppa Italia and scored the winner alongside 23 other goals for his Serie A title.

Achievements with Milan

• Serie A: 2003–04
• UEFA Champions League: 2003
• Coppa Italia: 2003
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2004
• UEFA Super Cup: 2003

Top Highlight

This may be an easy one but the best highlight of Andriy Shevchenko has to be his slek penalty past Gianluigi Buffon to silence Juventus fans and lift the 2002 Champions League after the tightest Italia derby in the final. A year where we knocked out Inter Milan in the semi finals. Watch the highlight here or below.