AC Milan's 1996-1997 season was a mix of success and disappointment across various competitions. Here's an overview:
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Serie A Performance: In Serie A, AC Milan finished in the 11th position, which was considered a disappointing performance for a club of their stature. They accumulated 42 points from 34 matches, winning 11, drawing 9, and losing 14 games. This finish was below expectations and marked a period of transition for the club.
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Coppa Italia: In the Coppa Italia, AC Milan reached the semi-finals but were eliminated by Vicenza.
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UEFA Champions League: The highlight of AC Milan's season came in the UEFA Champions League. They had a strong campaign in Europe, reaching the final. In the final held at the Olympiastadion in Munich, Milan faced off against Juventus in an all-Italian final. The match ended in a 0-0 draw after extra time, and Milan emerged victorious by winning 3-2 on penalties. This victory marked AC Milan's fifth European Cup/Champions League title in their history.
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Key Players: AC Milan's squad during the 1996-1997 season included notable players such as Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, Marcel Desailly, Zvonimir Boban, Roberto Baggio, and George Weah. These players played crucial roles in the team's performance, especially during their successful Champions League campaign.
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Managerial Influence: The team was managed by Óscar Tabárez for the majority of the season before he was replaced by Fabio Capello midway through the campaign. Capello's tactical acumen and leadership were instrumental in guiding the team to their Champions League triumph.
Overall, while AC Milan had a disappointing domestic campaign in Serie A during the 1996-1997 season, their triumph in the UEFA Champions League marked a significant achievement and provided a bright spot amidst the challenges they faced domestically.
