TIME MACHINE: VAN BASTEN IN NAPOLI v AC MILAN
History
Napoli v AC Milan is a match that evokes sweet memories in Rossoneri history. On the Parteneopeo pitch, now called the Diego Armando Maradona, we have sealed two Scudetto (1987/88 and 1991/92), as well as seizing a key victory for a third. We had great moments in Napoli last season, from the incredible 4-0 in the league to the draw which secured our return to the Champions League Semifinals. Thinking about great individual performances, however, at the Fuorigrotta stadium, it's difficult to look beyond that afternoon on 8 November 1992 and the four goals scored by Marco van Basten.
The Dutch attacker's season had already got off to a good start, with eight goals in his first six matches (in the league, two more in the Champions League and one in the Supercoppa Italiana) before two matches without a goal for the striker against Parma and Torino. Capello's AC Milan were also on a roll, 7 victories and 1 draw in the first eight matches of the Scudetto-defending campaign. It took seven minutes to get through Ranieri's defence that afternoon, as Van Basten broke the deadlock with a splendid right-footed effort from the edge of the box. The lead was doubled in 27', as the Napolitana defence and Galli's indecision were punished.
Eranio sealed the win in the 60', making it three goals to nil, but the Swan of Utrecht was by no means finished there, as he went on to mark his place in Italian footballing history. 67' the Neapolitan defence were caught by the quick freekick, which left the Dutchman free at the back post to tap the ball into an empty net. 80', through on goal again thanks to an erroneous back pass, and he made no mistake to become the first AC Milan player to score four goals in a Serie A match for more than 22 years (Pierino Prati in Bari 0-5 AC Milan, January 1970). An unforgettable moment for one of the greatest players to ever wear the Rossonero shirt, one of the most exceptional memories of Marco van Basten with AC Milan.
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