How AC Milan Won Serie A Scoring Only 36 Goals in the 1993-94 Season

The 1993-94 Serie A season stands as a testament to the unconventional paths to glory. AC Milan accomplished their third consecutive Serie A title by scoring a total of only 36 goals in 34 matches. 

However, this wasn't a story of a failing attack, far from it. The key to Milan's success lay in their almost impregnable defensive line. The red and black fortress, led by the legendary Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini, conceded just 15 goals over the entire season. Funny when you consider AC Milan were Serie A's leading scorers the season before with 65 goals including the famous 3-7 win away to Fiorentina. These defensive titans transformed football into an art of defence, making it clear that games could be won, not only by the team that scored the most goals but also by the team that conceded the fewest.

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This is the story of the 1993-94 AC Milan team – a group of individuals who made football history through their defensive solidity.

A Masterful Formation and Playing Style

Guided by Fabio Capello, AC Milan employed a disciplined 4-4-2 formation during the 1993-94 season, often adapting to a diamond or flat midfield shape. Each player contributed to the overall style of play, which emphasised efficiency and effectiveness. The heart of the defence was formed by Franco Baresi and Alessandro Costacurta, complemented by versatile full-backs Paolo Maldini and Mauro Tassotti.

The season was marked by substance over spectacle, with Dejan Savićević making a significant impact. After a temporary setback during the European Super Cup, Capello reinstated the Montenegrin into the team at a crucial point in the season. Savićević played the role of a creator, while Marcel Desailly, the French midfielder, fortified the defence. Desailly arrived as a crucial support following Zvonimir Boban's knee surgery, effectively safeguarding Milan's defensive line.

Contributions from Laudrup, Raducioiu, and Panucci further enriched the team. It was also the season when Marco Simone secured his place in the starting line-up and where coach Capello capitalised on Daniele Massaro's scoring abilities. Goalkeeper Sebastiano Rossi etched his name in Serie A history, playing 929 minutes without conceding a goal, a record starting from AC Milan's 2-1 win against Cagliari in December, stretching to a match against Foggia a few months later. In the absence of the injured Marco van Basten, who scored 13 goals in 20 league matches the previous season. AC Milan leaned heavily on their defensive strengths.

The Unyielding Defensive Line

The axiom 'defence wins titles' found its manifestation in the 1993-94 AC Milan team. They started the season by not conceding a single goal in their first seven league games. This remarkable start set the tone for what was to follow. Across the entire campaign, the team kept an impressive 15 clean sheets, conceding a mere six goals away.

Baresi and Maldini, the linchpins of this watertight defence, showcased exceptional performances throughout the season. Baresi, an impeccable reader of the game, and Maldini, known for his elegant yet powerful tackles, formed a partnership that stood as a bulwark against opposing attacks. Their leadership, technical skills, and understanding of the game were instrumental in Milan's formidable defensive record.

The compactness of the table was the most bizarre thing about that season. At the time Serie A only awarded 2 points for a win. AC Milan won the league with just 50 points, 3 points above Juventus, Napoli finished 6th, and thus automatically qualified for the UEFA Cup. 6 points behind them, Piacenza were relegated. Also, a UEFA Cup-winning Inter Milan side led by Dennis Bergkamp finished just one point above the relegation zone.

Conquering Europe with the Champions League Glory

AC Milan accomplishments extended beyond the domestic stage, with a resounding victory in the UEFA Champions League capping off a triumphant campaign. The pinnacle of their success came in Athens, where they faced a formidable FC Barcelona side in the final. 

Barcelona were favourites to win their second European title in three years, having just won La Liga. Milan's preparation before the final was in disarray: legendary striker Marco van Basten and £13 million young sensation Gianluigi Lentini (then world's most expensive footballer) were missing through injury; sweeper and legendary captain, Franco Baresi was suspended, as was defender Alessandro Costacurta; while UEFA regulations limiting teams to fielding a maximum of three non-nationals meant that their coach Fabio Capello was forced to leave out Florin Răducioiu, Jean-Pierre Papin and Brian Laudrup.

Against the backdrop of a packed Olympic Stadium, AC Milan put on a performance that culminated in a stunning 4-0 victory. 

This triumph didn't just cement their dominance over Italian football but asserted their superiority in European football. The UEFA Champions League victory was a testament to the AC Milan team's ability to perform under pressure, remain disciplined, and execute their game plan to perfection, marking their place among the great teams in football history.

The 1993-94 AC Milan side is an enduring testament to the power of a cohesive team, a robust defensive structure, and a tactical approach that prioritized efficiency over flair. Their story proving that a focus on a solid defence can indeed be the foundation for success.