TIME MACHINE: COMO v AC MILAN

Como 1-1 AC Milan, 15 May 1988. It may seem like just a draw, but it was a draw worth just as much as a victory. To be precise, the victory of a Scudetto. There are undoubtedly draws that taste as sweet and secure the Tricolore; this was true just recently in 2011 (Roma 0-0 AC Milan), but also in 1988. Let's rewind to that year, on that day, using the Time Machine to remind ourselves of a special Como v AC Milan game. The anticipation for their next important match in the tournament lingers over us until the teams face each other again just before Christmas.

The 1987/88 season marked the start of the Berlusconi era, and the first with Arrigo Sacchi as head coach, and Gullit and Van Basten powering the attack. The Sinigaglia served as the final stop, the climax of an intense Serie A campaign that was still hanging in the balance. The result was in the hands of the Rossoneri, relentless in their pursuit of Napoli and formidable at beating Maradona and his teammates both at home and away. After the 4-1 result at San Paolo, it was the 3-2 win at San Siro that paved the way for a flawless run from April onwards. After a disappointing season in both the UEFA Cup and the Coppa Italia, Milan's fans were ready to celebrate. It all rested on the match against Como.

The game got off to a flying start, enough to get the champagne flowing early. Ready, set, and just two minutes in, Virdis scored, picked out by Gullit. He battled through two deflections and unleashed a right-footed shot from the edge of the box, finding the far corner past Paradisi. The Sinigaglia erupted in waves of red and black. The first half continued with chances for Gullit, Virdis and Ancelloti, while Como only threatened with a speculative effort from Mattei. However, early in the second half, the home side struck back and equalised. Mattei released Viviani, who squared it to Giunta for a precise first-time finish from close range. It was a brief scare, but nothing more. The Rossoneri cruised to the final whistle, and after nine years, Milan were crowned Champions of Italy for the eleventh time in their history. 

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