TIME MACHINE: AC MILAN v GENOA

From the first home game of 2026 to the first "home" fixture of one of the most iconic seasons in our history. To introduce Matchday 19 of Serie A 2025/26, AC Milan v Genoa, we're travelling back more than 30 years to the first home match of a campaign where, for the first time, we came out triumphant at the highest levels in both Italy and Europe. We put homes in speech marks because the match between the Rossoneri and the Rossoblù on 5 September 1993 didn't take place in San Siro but in the unusual setting of Naples. 

It was at the then Stadio San Paolo, today named after Diego Armando Maradona, that hosted the second matchday of Serie A 1993/94, due to a stadium ban on the Rossoneri. After their debut day success in Lecce, the Rossoneri stayed in the south to take on an ambitious Grifone side (fresh from a UEFA semifinal just two seasons earlier) led by Claudio Maselli. A challenging match in which Fabio Capello's side had almost the same starting XI as in the Salento match two weeks earlier: the only changes were Laudrup making his debut and replacing Savićević in midfield, and Massaro coming in for Simone up front. And it was exactly this latter choice that paid off beautifully in the 40th minute.  

After a lot of possession without any result, the Rossoneri took the lead in the final moments of the first half with a brilliant build-up from Laudrup, who laid the ball off with a back heel on the left for Maldini: the number 3's cross found Massaro in the centre of the box, who struck with accuracy and placed the ball past Berti's reach. The score remained the same even in the second half despite Genoa having a great opportunity in the penalty area with Nappi. The visiting striker's right-footed rebound went high over Rossi's goal; it was a key moment in an otherwise quiet half. The match ended with the same scoreline as the opening day in Lecce, 1-0, another small step in the journey towards a third consecutive Scudetto.

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