TIME MACHINE: WEAH IN AC MILAN v SPARTA PRAHA
History
Yesterday the UEFA Cup, and today the Europa League. The scenario repeats itself with several similarities: AC Milan are approaching to face a Prague side in a double-legged tie that will determine who will advance to the Quarter-finals of the competition, exactly as in the 1995/96 season. This time the Rossoneri will challenge Slavia Praha, city rivals of Sparta Praha, the opponent from the past. Let's get closer to the match by reliving the emotions of the Rossoneri's success in the first leg, decided by a brace from the extraordinary George Weah that guided the qualification.
Purchased in the summer from PSG, that dated 1995/96 season marks George Weah's first season with the Rossoneri after winning the 1995 Ballon d'Or, becoming the first non-European footballer to win the trophy. The impact is one of significance. Goals and assists in his debut Serie A appearance, after four rounds he had already three goals and four winning passes to his name. George continued to run, and he also scored in the first UEFA Cup match, a competition that saw the Rossoneri start from the Round of 32 against Zagłębie Lubin, ending with an 8-1 scoreline against the Polish team. After overcoming the obstacle of Strasbourg in the Round of 16, here comes the pairing against Sparta Praha in the Round of 16.
At the San Siro, AC Milan dominated the game, but the visitors defended with order and the goalkeeper Kouba excelled on attempts from Maldini and Weah in the opening minutes. Sparta Prague, with eleven Czech players on the field, struggled to respond, and in the 33’, the Rossoneri took the lead: Baresi overlaps and with his left foot delivers a soft cross into the middle of the area which Weah slots into the net, 1-0. AC Milan persisted and nearly doubled their lead with Albertini, Savićević, and Simone hit the post with a free-kick. The inspiration of the Liberian forward was needed once again, and the second goal was spectacular: a cross from Simone and a powerful and precise right-footed shot that found the bottom corner, Kouba was beaten for the second time in the 77’. The 2-0 seals the match, and the first leg goes to the Rossoneri, who will then manage the advantage well and secure qualification in Prague.
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