The summer of 2006 was one of particular turbulence, as we saw the departures of Rui Costa, Stam and Shevchenko, replaced by the Brazilian Ricardo Oliveira, who inherited both the role and the number (7) of the Ukrainian star. As well as him, Gourcuff, Favalli and Bonera all signed for AC Milan. Milanello also re-welcomed five Azzurri world champions (Inzaghi, Nesta, Pirlo, Gattuso and Gilardino) and the season, under Carlo Ancelotti's guidance, began very soon after. The Rossoneri's league campaign was weighed down by the 8-point-penalty, decided in the summer trial, and they were quickly out of the running for the title, directing their focus to achieving a top-four finish, thus securing European football for the next season. Alessandro Costacurta retired from football at the end of the season.
On 9 August 2006, the team was already on the pitch at San Siro, playing Crvena Zvezda in the first Champions League qualifying match: Inzaghi's goal proved decisive on his 33rd birthday. AC Milan also won the return leg, making it to the group stage. Kaká put the team on his back, finishing top-scorer in the Champions League with 10 goals; AC Milan overcame the group with Anderlecht, AEK and Lille, and shifted into top gear, knocking out Celtic, Bayern, Monaco and Manchester United. This set up the perfect final. In Athens, two years after Liverpool's comeback, Inzaghi's brace secured a 2-1 win and the 7th Champions League in our history.
