A new president, Albino Buticchi, and a new coach, Cesare Maldini; with Nereo Rocco at his side as the technical director. This is how the 1972/73 season started, with big ambitions and a line-up reinforced in attack with the signing of Luciano Chiarugi. The impact of the striker from Ponsacco was hugely positive, he scored on his debut in the 4-0 win over Palermo. The Rossoneri were goal machines, scoring 9 against Atalanta and 5 against Inter in the two derby wins. The signs of a Scudetto win were all there, but there was a bitter end to the season. After being on top for most of the season, a number of bad results meant that the Rossoneri had a lot to play for on the final day. AC Milan had to face Hellas Verona at the Bentegodi stadium. The team lost 3-5 and had to settle for second place after Juventus. The sort of "payback" came in the Italian Cup, the Rossoneri beat the Bianconeri on penalties and lifted their third Italian Cup trophy, for the second year running.
Maldini & Rocco's Rossoneri are also busy in Europe, featuring in the Cup Winners' Cup thanks to winning the Coppa Italia the previous season. After breezing through the first round against Luxembourg's Differdange with an aggregate score of 7-1, the second round proved more challenging. Following two 1-1 draws in the regular 180 minutes, it's Chiarugi's goal on 118' of the return match against Legia Warsaw that sent AC Milan through. In the quarter-finals, we faced Spartak Moscow. We won in Soviet territory with a goal from Benetti, while the return leg at San Siro ended 1-1. Standing between the Rossoneri and the Final in Thessaloniki is Sparta Prague, whom we overcame in the semifinals with two 1-0 victories, both courtesy of the ever-reliable Chiarugi. The Tuscan striker proved decisive once more in the final against Leeds United, securing a 1-0 win that gifted AC Milan their second Cup Winners' Cup.
