TIME MACHINE: AC MILAN vs. BOLOGNA

Ahead of the upcoming clash against Bologna on matchday 9 in Serie A, our Time Machine takes us back to September 13th, 2003. It was the first home game of the Serie A season for the reigning European champions, who had opened their campaign with a 2-0 away win at Ancona thanks to a Shevchenko brace. It was the final Serie A season to feature 18 teams. Seventeen, meanwhile, was the number of Scudetti AC Milan would have in their trophy cabinet by the end of that campaign.

Captain Maldini missed the Bologna game through suspension after being sent off on the previous matchday. Twenty-one-year-old Kaká was also absent, just two weeks after making his Rossoneri debut. Fellow new signing Cafu started on the bench but would later come on and play a decisive role. Costacurta wore the captain's armband and shook hands with Beppe Signori at the coin toss before the action got underway.

It took Shevchenko less than ten minutes to open the scoring, making the most of Pirlo's delivery from a free-kick. It was the Ukrainian's third goal in two appearances, and he would soon go on to finish the season as Serie A's top scorer with 24 goals. But Mazzone's Bologna responded around the half-hour mark, again from a set-piece. Seedorf intercepted the cross, but the ball fell to Nervo, who unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box to bring Bologna level.

Sheva and Inzaghi threatened on several occasions, while Serginho came within inches of scoring, lifting the ball over Pagliuca only to hit the crossbar. Then, with just five minutes remaining, came the decisive moment. Cafu picked out Inzaghi, who controlled the ball on his chest, shifted it, turned, regained his balance and set himself before shooting. His momentum carried him to the ground, but only briefly. He was straight back on his feet, running, shouting and waving his arms in celebration. He had secured all three points for AC Milan, the reigning European champions, who would go on to be crowned Italian champions the following May.

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