How Cruijff’s words helped Milan win 1994 Champions League

How Cruijff’s words helped Milan win 1994 Champions League

Johan Cruijff will forever be remembered as one of the best players and coaches of all time, but back in 1994, his Barcelona side underestimated Milan, who secured an historic 4-0 victory in the Champions League Final.

Forget the last 15 years during which Milan have failed to leave their mark on the Champions League: the Serie A giants remain one of the most successful clubs in the competition, having lifted the trophy seven times. Only Real Madrid have more with 15.

Back in the days, Milan were the team to beat as they reached three consecutive Champions League Finals from 1993 to 1995.

On May 18, 1984, they won the fifth Champions League in their history, beating Cruyff’s Barcelona 4-0 in Athens.

On the eve of the game, the Catalans’ coach looked beyond confident, telling the media: “Barcelona are favourites. We’re more complete, competitive and experienced than [in the 1992 final] at Wembley. Milan are nothing out of this world. They base their game on defence; we base ours on attack.”

Barcelona had already won the Champions League (European Cup) in 1992, beating Sampdoria at Wembley Stadium.

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Cruijff’s words surely produced a positive effect in the Milan squad, as Marcel Desailly, one of the legendary players of that Rossoneri team, said in a recent interview with the Italian Football Podcast.