ARRIGO SACCHI, A DESTINY‑BOUND BIRTHDAY

"The better team won, which the crowd in Naples recognised with their applause - compliments to the supporters, extremely sporting." These were the words of Arrigo Sacchi on 1 May 1988, after the most iconic of all Napoli vs AC Milan clashes: AC Milan had won 3-2 under the sun at the Stadio San Paolo, and Sacchi's words reflected the emotion of the epic, historic clash. Arrigo turns 80 in the week leading up to another hugely important Napoli vs AC Milan meeting, adding further significance to this fixture and making it feel like destiny.

Happy birthday, Arrigo - the author of a dream, the visionary of a kind of football far beyond imagination. "Football will never be the same again" wrote L'Équipe after AC Milan 4-0 Steaua București, one year after the triumph in Naples. At the time, some had considered it madness to truly bring onto the pitch the footballing ideas that Silvio Berlusconi and Sacchi carried within them, to make AC Milan something unique, to transform a football team into the side later honoured by UEFA in 2022 as "the greatest team of all time".

But it happened, and it was beautiful. There are countless rival fanbases who would back their sides unwaveringly, yet at a certain point even they stop and say: "Well, not Sacchi’s Milan, they were in a league of their own. Everyone could appreciate their success." Six world and European finals, all won. Season tickets at San Siro sold out in the middle of Ferragosto. Ballon d'Or winners whose greatness multiplied through their service to the game and the team. We remember everything, Arrigo. We do not forget. Many happy returns.

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