Five years after the last time, AC Milan plays with Nils Liedholm again: it is the Swedish 'Baron', in fact, who led the Rossoneri in the 1984/85 season. Several important incomings before the start of the season, starting with the forwards Virdis and Hateley. Wilkins, from Manchester United, Di Bartolomeo and Terraneo were also stand-out transfers. The year started with 7 consecutive good results, including the derby against Inter won by a header from Hateley; the first half of the season ended with a 6th place tie with Juventus. The next half of the season followed the exact same pattern, 7 games without defeat and the debut of Paolo Maldini, Cesare's son, on 20 January in Udine. The season continued at a good pace and the Serie A campaign ended in a positive 5th place finish with 36 points, a position which qualified them for the 1985/86 UEFA Cup. The journey in the Italian Cup was also notable: after finishing the group stage in first place, AC Milan beat Napoli in the round of 16, Juventus, fresh from winning the Champions Cup, in the quarter-final and Inter in the semi-final before losing to Sampdoria in the final.
