AC Milan, the reigning champions of Italy, reinforced their squad ahead of a busy season with some big-name arrivals, such as the Peruvian Víctor Benítez (from Boca Juniors), the midfielder Fortunato from Vicenza and Mora - a winger - from Juventus. They got off to a good start in the league with a win away at Napoli, but defeats to Vicenza, Sampdoria and Juve saw Rocco's Rossoneri fall behind the leaders. The Serie A season concluded with AC Milan in third place, while Maldini & Co were knocked out in the Coppa Italia round of 16.
Our European run made the 1962/63 season memorable as the Rossoneri took part in the European Cup for the third time in their history, after winning the Scudetto in 1961/62. AC Milan smashed Union Luxembourg 14-0 in the first round; in the first leg, José Altafini became the first player in the history of the competition to score five goals in a single game. A 3-0 win in the first leg at San Siro was enough to get past champions of England Ipswich Town in the round of 16, before they beat Galatasaray in the quarters (8-1 over two legs) and Dundee FC in the semis (5-2). The final was against back-to-back holders Benfica at Wembley on 22 May 1963. The Águias took the lead through Eusébio, but a José Altafini brace - he scored 14 European goals that season - saw the Rossoneri turn it around to become the first Italian club (and third overall) to win the European Cup.
