TIME MACHINE: SERGINHO IN AC MILAN v LEEDS

From the sixth to the first day. Today, Pioli's Rossoneri are preparing to host Newcastle in Group F for the first round of the 2023/24 Champions League. In 2000/01, however, the clash with a different English side, Leeds United, decided the fate of Group H. From San Siro to San Siro, Serginho's first goal in the competition proved decisive: let's look back and relive the match from the perspective of the Brazilian full-back.

After starting his career in Brazil, Sérgio Cláudio dos Santos, known as Serginho, moved to AC Milan from San Paolo in the summer of 1999. His impact was immediately positive, the Brazilian international became a crucial part of Zaccheroni's team. During his first season, he made 31 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals in Serie A. The following year, however, he found his first big moment in the Champions League. The 2000/01 draw for the biggest European competition placed the Rossoneri in Group H with Besiktas, Leeds United and Barcelona.

The road to Europe started from Elland Road: the Brazilian, however, was not the star of the first leg, when he watched the defeat on English soil (1-0) from the bench. In the last round, at San Siro, AC Milan played for O'Leary's team for the top spot: the match was well-balanced and Leeds took the lead at the end of the first half with a goal from Dominic Matteo. The Rossoneri pushed in search of an equalizer and were rewarded in the 68th minute: Serginho sped forward with the ball, beat two opponents to strike it past Robinson with his left foot. It ended up 1-1 at the final whistle, sending Zaccheroni's team into first place with 11 points. The Rossoneri journey would later stop at the end of the second group stage, while Serginho's career with AC Milan was full of success, so much so that together they came out on top of Europe twice (2003 and 2007).

È disponibile il Third Kit PUMA di AC Milan per il 2023/24: acquistalo ora!