CHELSEA v AC MILAN: TIME MACHINE

Given their dominance in the Champions League since the turn of the millennium, it is somewhat strange to think that Chelsea and AC Milan have only been paired once in Europe's premier competition. And the sole time that happened was at the end of last century, in the group stages of the 1999/2000 season. Today as then, AC Milan were reigning Serie A champions, although that's where the analogies between the two sides end. Let's go through the first meeting, which took place on London shores, and the double-header with our Time Machine.

SETTING THE SCENE
The group H curtain-raiser on 15 September 1999 was a historical moment for the two clubs. While Stamford Bridge hosted Champions League football for the first time in its history after Chelsea eliminated Skonto in the playoffs, that opening game in London marked AC Milan's 200th appearance in European competitions as the Rossoneri had just returned to the Champions League after a four-year absence. After lifting the Scudetto in the club's centenary season, Milan were held to a 2-2 draw at Lecce, followed by a 3-1 home win over Perugia. After his arrival from Dynamo Kyiv, new signing Andriy Shevchenko got off to a dream start by finding the back of the net in his first two outings. In Alberto Zaccheroni's 3-4-3 system, the Ukrainian was picked up-front alongside Bierhoff and Leonardo while Gattuso got the nod ahead of Serginho in midfield to team up with Albertini in central midfield with Guly and Helveg deployed as wingers. At the back, Costacurta, Ayala and Maldini were tasked with protecting Abbiati's goal.

ZOLA AND SHEVCHENKO STEAL THE SHOW
With Zola on the pitch and Vialli in the dugout, Chelsea had a strong Italian contingent. And they were the better side from the off as the Sardinian striker played a well-weighted through ball for Petrescu only for the Romanian to fire wide with only Abbiati to beat. AC Milan's response came through Shevchenko after 19 minutes. The Ukrainian striker received the ball 25 metres from goal, cut in on his right foot before unleashing a right-footer which De Goey was equal to. Making the most of the towering Norwegian centre-forward Tore Andre Flo's hold-up play, Chelsea kept taking the game to the Rossoneri. And Flo, who went on to play for Siena later in his career, caused the guests' backline a series of issues, yet without managing to break AC Milan down as his efforts were either collected by Abbiati or flashed off target.

BOTH SIDES DENIED BY THE WOODWORK
After the break, there were fewer goal chances overall, but they, however, were more clear-cut. After a good link-up play started and finished by Zola, the Italian saw his strike glance off the post. And following a period of sustained dominance by Chelsea, Zaccheroni's AC Milan began to ask some questions themselves. With 10 minutes to go, Leonardo let fly from 25 metres after Albertini had regained possession. But the Brazilian hit the crossbar before Abbiati parried Petrescu's goal-bound shot in spectacular fashion in regular time as the game ended in a goalless draw.

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