#TBT: A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME FOR SHEVA...

STADIO CHINETTI: JUST AROUND THE CORNER FROM MILANELLO
On 13 July 2002, AC Milan took to the pitch for their first friendly of pre-season, travelling just a short distance to the Stadio Chinetti in Solbiate. In action on a sunny afternoon in Varese, the Rossoneri faced off against hosts Solbiatese, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side including two new faces: Cyril Domoraud and Clarence Seedorf. The Frenchman didn’t enjoy a great spell in the Milan shirt, while the Dutch midfielder didn’t receive the warmest welcome from fans due to his prior links with Inter. However, he would soon make them all think again. That team also contained Marco Borriello, who’d previously spent two seasons on loan at Trieste and Treviso. Meanwhile, Rivaldo and Alessandro Nesta had still yet to sign, with their moves being completed at the end of July and August respectively.

FROM SHEVA TO... SHEVA
The friendly between Milan and Solbiatese came mid-way through the squad’s summer preparations. Costacurta wasn’t involved due to his anticipated departure, only for the decision to be reversed thanks to a club decision late August. Undoubtedly, everything was still a work in progress. As had previously occurred years prior with Marco Simone, which was also the case for Pippo Inzaghi, if the first goal of the first friendly was scored by a striker, then it was a good sign. 10 minutes in, Shevchenko’s strike to beat Castellini not only brought good luck, but it was also a sort of premonition. Sheva scored the first goal of the season in Solbiate (it finished 3-0 thanks to goals from Serginho and Borriello), while he also bagged the last goal of the campaign in Manchester. This came from the penalty spot during the Champions League Final in May 2003. Prior to this fixture, Rivaldo and Inzaghi had also scored against Roma in the Coppa Italia Final. All attackers on the scoresheet, as forecast thanks to Sheva’s strike in July 2002 during a friendly in Solbiate.

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