Just How Good was PRIME AC Milan?

AC Milan a club that needs no introduction when you think of footballing royalty you think of Milan but to truly understand how good Prime AC Milan was we need to journey through different eras that shape this club into one of the most formidable teams in football history we're not just talking about a season or two we're diving deep into the Reigns of Saki Capello and anchel Lati three masterminds who each took Milan to unprecedented Heights so how good were they let's find out our story starts in the late 1980s with the arrival of arigo Saki a man who forever changed the landscape of football saki wasn't your typical Football manager he was a Visionary his ideas were Radical at the time but they revolutionized the game saki's philosophy was built on the idea of Total Football a style where every player from defense to attack was involved in both phases of play Milan pressed high they suffocated opponents and they dominated possession and and the players they were the perfect fit for saki's demanding style Franco Bazi the ultimate sweeper was the lynchpin of the defense alongside him was a young Paulo Maldini who would go on to become one of the greatest Defenders of all time the Midfield featured the tireless Carlo ancelotti The Versatile Frank Reichard and the technically gifted Roberto donadoni and let's not forget the Dutch Trio up front Marco van Boston rude gullet and reard again who was equally a Ste in attack this Milan team wasn't just dominant they were almost unbeatable they won back-to-back European cups in 1989 and 1990 and their forero thrashing of sta Bucharest in the 1989 final is still considered one of the most one-sided finals in history saki's Milan was a machine A Perfect Blend of tactical Innovation and worldclass talent the Capello era after Sachi left in 1991 there were doubts about whether Milan could maintain their dominance but those doubts were quickly erased when Fabio Capello took the Reigns if saki's Milan was about pressing and high intensity capello's Milan was about defensive solidity and tactical pragmatism yet they were no less effective perhaps even more so under Capello Milan embarked on an incredible run of success they won three consecutive serria titles from 1991 to 1994 and in 1992 they went unbeaten for the entire league season a feat that still stands as one of the greatest achievements in Italian football but it wasn't just domestically where capello's Milan shined in the 1994 Champions League final they faced Johan K's Barcelona a team that many expected to dominate the match what happened instead was a 4-0 demolition with Milan putting on a masterclass in both attack and defense this was a Milan team that could adapt to any opponent any style of play and still come out on top capello's Milan was ruthless players like dejon savagei Marcel dalali and the Evergreen Maldini were crucial in this period the team could grind out results when needed or blow teams away with clinical efficiency they weren't just winners they were record-breakers setting a standard that few have matched since Carlo anela's Milan the artist of football as we move into the early 2000s we arrive at the era of Carlo ancelotti a former player turned manager who would lead the club to even greater Heights ancelotti's Milan was different from sakis and Capell if saki's team was a machine and capello's was a fortress anela's Milan was an artist's canvas the football they played was beautiful fluid intelligent and technically superb ancelotti had a squad that boasted some of the most talented players of the generation the defense was still rock solid with Maldini now a seasoned veteran and allesandro Nesta one of the best defenders of his era forming a formidable partnership at the back in Midfield you had Andrea Pirlo whose deep Ling playmaking changed the role of the regista forever alongside him was jaro gatuso the warrior and Clarence seedorf the engine who could do it all and then there was Kaka the Brazilian magician who could turn a game on its head with a single moment of Brilliance up front the lethal filipo enagi who seemed to always be in the right place at the right time and Andre shevchenko one of Europe's most feared Strikers anela's Milan won the Champions League twice in 2003 and 2007 and reached the final again in 2005 in what was perhaps the most dramatic final in the competition's history the miracle of Istanbul although they lost that match Milan's ability to reach three finals in 5 years under ancelotti speaks volumes about their quality anela's Milan was about elegance and Intelligence on the pitch they weren't just playing to win they were playing to entertain to Mesmerize and to leave a lasting impression on the football world no discussion of prime AC Milan is complete without a closer look at the players who made it all happen Franco beri poo Maldini Marco van Baston and Kaka are names that resonate across the footballing world but it wasn't just the superstars who defined this team it was the way every player regardless of their role contributed to the collective success take janaro gatuso for example a player who may not have had the technical ability of some of his teammates but brought an unmatched level of tenacity and heart to the pitch or Clarence seedorf the only player to win the Champions League with three different clubs who brought leadership and versatility to the Midfield and what about filipo enagi often criticized for being a poacher eni's uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time made him one of the deadliest Strikers of his generation his goals were crucial in some of Milan's most important matches and his understanding with Kaka was telepathic Milan's dominance during these eras wasn't just about having the best players it was about having the right mix of talent leadership and mentality each of these eras had its Heroes and together they formed a legacy that few clubs can match thanks for watching this deep into Prime AC Milan on last minute save if you enjoyed the video don't forget to like subscribe and hit that Bell icon so you never miss an upload what's your favorite memory of prime AC Milan let us know in the comments below and if you think there's another team that could rival their greatness we'd love to hear your thoughts until next time keep the debate alive and we'll see you in the next one