Benfica FC vs. A.C.Milan - European Cup Final
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Date: 22/05/1963
Product Code: 9
Price: £35.00
Description:
European Cup Final played at Wembley, Benfica vs A.C.Milan: The first final to be played in England was the first not to involve a Spanish team. Real Madrid were among the 30 starters but were eliminated by Anderlecht in the first round. Their demise paved the way for AC Milan to reach the final for the second time, and on this occasion, to win it.
Nobody could argue about their right to take the field at Wembley. They had scored 31 goals in eight games - with Jose Altafini contributing a dozen of them - and conceded only five. Nero Rocco's side was captained by Cesare Maldini and featured Giovanni Trapattoni in midfield, behind the precocious Gianni Revera. They clinched their place in the final by beating the tournaments dark horses, Dundee FC, 5-2 on aggregate in the semi - final. The Scots had previously beaten FC Koln (beating them 8-1 at home), Sporting Club de Portugal and RSC Andrlecht.
Benfica with Chilean coach Fernando Riera replacing Bela Guttmann on the bench had changed their playing system to a more classical 4-4-2 and after being exempted from the first round, defeated Norwegian and Czech opponents before beating Feyenoord in a closely fought semi - final.
At Wembley, the Portuguese were on track for a hat trick of final wins when Eusebio scored his sixth goal of the campaign to put them ahead after 18 minutes. But, with Germano absent through injury, they were badly hit when Mario Coluna had to limp off in the second half and began to bow to Italian pressure. Altafini struck twice in the 58th and 66th minutes and a depleted Benfica side could find no answer. The trophy was, for the first time, on the way to Italy.
ATTENDANCE; 45,715
Condition:
For its age, this programme is in excellent condition. It has a slight horizontal fold and a very slight vertical fold, but no stains, no biro, no tears and no staple rust.