2002-03: Juventus vs AC Milan
The battle for the Scudetto was once a torrid affair with two of Italy’s greatest clubs involved in many a battle for their local glory in the Serie A. However, this was the first time that two Italian clubs battled it out for the UEFA Champions League. On a cold night at Manchester, Old Trafford bore witness to one of European football’s most charged up finals.
Carlo Ancelotti had just guided the Milanese side to 4th in the Serie A with Marcello Lippi’s Juventus snatching away the Scudetto with a 16 point gap between the two teams settling terms locally.
The two games in the Serie A between them had resulted in a draw at the San Siro and a marginal victory for Juventus at the Stadio delle Alpi. The Coppa Italia had seen Juventus knocking out Milan 3-2 on aggregate as well that season. There was much to be avenged for Milan that night.
Avenge their wounds they did as Carlo Ancelotti’s men ran out 3-2 winners on penalties that night as the two teams drew 0-0 after extra time. David Trezeguet, Marcelo Zalayeta and Paolo Montero all missed penalties for Juventus in a game that saw Paolo Maldini awarded with the Man of the Match award and which ended with AC Milan winning their 6th European Title.
