AC Milan: The Myth Behind The “Most Successful Club In The World”
“Milan can do it if we believe, because we don’t fear any team in the world, not even Manchester United. On the contrary, it’s the others who must fear us.” Silvio Berlusconi has been delivering fantastical sound bites of this ilk in the sporting and political domain for over 24 years now, however as Milan’s subsequent 7-2 drubbing over the two legs back in April proved, his words are starting to sound more than a little empty.
The Berlusconi effect has elevated gli rossoneri to one of the best football teams in the world, providing football fans with tactical innovation, style and success in two different eras to cement their legendary status. Consequentially modern Milan fans have become used to and even expectant of success, citing it as a quality that is “part of the Milan DNA” rather than an honour achieved through hard work, intelligent management and a little luck.
Now as the cloud of arrogance surrounding this club starts to subside, all that is left is ironic embarrassment, perfectly embodied by the phrase “the most successful team in the world” sprawled across the official website and at one point even embroidered onto the breast of the famous red and black jersey. If that isn’t a sign of insecurity and living on former glory, I’m not sure what is.
However has this tragic decline coupled with Berlusconi’s increasing apathy in the clubs fortunes signaled the fall of a once proud giant, or is it actually simply the hot air surrounding one of the greatest political stunts finally bringing a team back to their rightful place?
In the formative years of the Serie A Milan won the title three times, 1901, 1906 and 1907. After this period though, the red and black half of Milan became a dormant force, not challenging for the title until the post second-war period.
Nonetheless, lead by a certain Swedish trio nicknamed “Gre-No-Li”, the rossoneri dominated the 1950’s, before Nereo Rocco’s Milan of the 1960’s made it’s name in world football by winning the European Cup twice and the Intercontinental cup as well.
Yet even this extended period of success could not cement Milan’s status as “Italy’s” premiere team as they were relegated twice in the following period between 1970 and 1985, and were reduced to a team that focused on winning the Coppa d’italia.
This can conclude that unlike Juventus or Inter that were consistently near the top in every decade, Milan were more of a”nouveau” success story that enjoyed a period of triumph amidst an everyday reality of being Italy’s 3rd club.
This ascertainment rings true even today when looking at other facts that give teams status. Firstly Milan were the third team to obtain the hallowed star on their jersey in 1979 (Juventus 1958, Inter 1966). Milan are the third most decorated team in Serie A with 17 titles, Inter have 18 whilst Juventus are way out ahead with 27. Milan have spent 77 seasons in the top flight, fourth behind Roma and Juventus equal on 78 seasons, and Inter on 79 seaons.
And finally, the total number of points that Milan have amassed in the history of the Italian league is also – no prize for guessing correctly – third behind Inter and Juventus.
Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | For | Agst | Diff | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 2win pts | 3win pts |
Juve | 3625 | 2544 | 1343 | 721 | 480 | 4381 | 2482 | 1899 | 27 | 16 | 10 | 3407 | 4750 |
Inter | 3606 | 2582 | 1280 | 736 | 566 | 4344 | 2638 | 1706 | 18 | 13 | 14 | 3296 | 4576 |
Milan | 3434 | 2522 | 1209 | 759 | 554 | 4140 | 2567 | 1573 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 3177 | 4386 |
Looking at these statistics, It’s clear to see that Milan has now returned to its historical place behind Inter and Juventus. Ironically the only statistic that Milan beats both teams in is in finishing 3rd and Milan may even continue this trend further by being the third of these teams to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
So, the success of Milan between1986 and 2007 has stretched the expectations and ambitions of this proud club and its fans way out of proportion. Now, the Berlusconi machine has finally ran out of air and the cracks cannot be paved over with a big signing of a former champion anymore. Milan must face reality, lose the arrogance and adjust their expectations rather than live on former glory. Otherwise they face making the same mistakes of the postRocco period and post Capello period.
Berlusconi’s era has made Milan more than any other team into a political beast. Flamboyant achievements have been exaggerated whilst limitations underplayed. The football cycle of success is for the moment moving away from AC Milan, perhaps it’s time for a little humility too.