FC SALZBURG v AC MILAN: TIME MACHINE

Pioli's Rossoneri, having broken the ice on their Serie A campaign, are ready for the European Challenge. Tuesday's Champions League Group E opener kicks off at the Red Bull Arena. As experienced fans will remember, Salzburg v Milan is not the first in Europe's top competition. To find a past between the two teams it is necessary to go back to 1994: let's review that match.

THE SCENARIO
7 December 1994, Ernst Happel Stadion di Vienna. SV Austria Salzburg and Milan meet in the sixth and last game of Group D of the Champions League: playing for qualification to the quarter-finals behind Ajax. Capello fielded a 4-3-1-2 with Rossi; Panucci, Baresi, Galli, Maldini; Donadoni, Albertini, Desailly; Savićević; Massaro, Simone. The Prater was electric, around 48,000 spectators, a lot was up for grabs on the pitch, and the reigning champions Rossoneri put in a solid, hard-fought performance.

MASSARO STRIKES
In the 26th minute the whole Rossoneri attack played their hand in the decisive goal: Savićević shot, Konrad fumbles, Simone hit the post on the first rebound and Massaro's header made no mistake, 0-1 Milan. To defend the lead, Capello removed Simone in the second half and inserted Tassotti: here was the Rossoneri 5-3-2, to secure qualification to the quarter-finals with grit and determination. 

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
In the final minutes the defence sealed their barricades and Salzburg were unable to break through, in fact it was AC Milan who came close on two occasions to scoring the second goal. In both cases it was Gianluca Sordo, who took over from Savićević, first to finish just wide and then to have a goal disallowed for offside. No harm done, referee Ion Crăciunescu blew the whistle and the doors to the knockout phase opened for Capello's side. 

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