OP-ED: SEEDORF AND THAT IMMENSE JOY

21 February 2004: my first time in San Siro, I was 9 years old. I set off with my cousin - Andrea - from a small town in Southern Italy, Irsina (Matera). 900 km by bus to reach Milan. It was the day of the derby, the first half ended under 2-0 scored by Stankovic and Cristiano Zanetti. At that moment I was the saddest person in the world, but everything changed shortly after! Within two minutes, Tomasson and Kaká scored levelled the game. Then, in the 85th minute, Clarence Seedorf stunned Toldo from 35 metres out with a torpedo in a foggy Milanese evening. 3-2 the final score and a derby to call ours. The most beautiful emotion that these colours have given me, after Manchester and Athens. AC Milan, forever!

by Pasquale Trabace

A truly indelible memory, because winning such a derby in such manner really makes your heart jolt. And it has certainly given a completely different flavour to your long trip. The right reward for having journeyed from afar and for believing right until the end!