#TBT: NO PIRLO? CLARENCE KEEPS THE PARTY GOING
History
NO PIRLO, ABBIATI INJURED
AC Milan had fought hard all season to give themselves the opportunity to qualify for the Champions League. Their last two games of the season saw them win from behind in Verona before securing a famous victory against Lecce on 05 May 2002 and celebrating with the fans at the San Siro. It was imperative therefore to overcome the challenge posed by Slovan Liberec and convert the team’s efforts into a place in the Champions League. Not least as this represented a significant economic boost during the summer transfer window.
The home leg of the qualifier took place on 14 August 2002 – the first step in a journey that would ultimately see AC Milan go all the way to the Champions League final in Manchester. Journalists and cameras were situated on the opposite side of the pitch as normal as a result of reconstruction work taking place in the San Siro. Contra and Roque Júnior occupied positions in the starting eleven that would later be claimed by Simic and Nesta, and there was a noticeable absence in central midfield – Andrea Pirlo. The first half ended 0-0, with Abbiati subbed off at half time after picking up an injury.
SEEDORF MAKES HIS MARK
The 2002/03 Champions League winning side was slowly taking shape but faced a real challenge while still in its infancy. Without Nesta and Rivaldo – and with Dida, Pirlo and Seedorf all still settling into the club – it was crucial to defeat the Czech side in order to give the team an opportunity to define its identity and create history. The Rossoneri took to the field with a three-man midfield composed of Gattuso, Rui Costa and Ambrosini.
At half time, Seedorf was still on the bench. Just fifteen minutes into the second half however, Carlo Ancelotti decided to introduce the Dutchman, who had arrived from Inter that summer as part of a deal that saw Coco go the other way. Just seven minutes after entering the field of play in place of Serginho, Seedorf picked out Filippo Inzaghi in the penalty box and the striker made no mistake from close range. Seedorf had arrived and AC Milan took a crucial 1-0 lead into the second leg.
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