Former AC Milan striker Daniele Massaro has revealed that the 1994 European Cup winning side were inspired by the 'arrogance' of Barcelona that year.
Milan headed into the Athens final that year as huge underdogs, with the Catalan side looking to win their second European Cup/UEFA Champions League in three years.
The Rossoneri were hit with a number of problems before the game which didn't help matter. Striker Marco van Basten was still out with a long-term injury, while Gianluigi Lentini (then the world's most expensive player) was also injured and captain Franco Baresi was suspended.
Not only that, but Alessandro Costacurta was injured and UEFA regulations at the time meant Fabio Capello could only field three non-nationals, meaning Florin Răducioiu, Jean-Pierre Papin and Brian Laudrup all missed out.
Daniele Massaro has recalled the game 26 years ago during an interview with Tuttosport, and his words were transcribed by MilanNews.
“We heard and saw everything they did. Cruyff's statements, the photos with the cup,” he began.
“They were very arrogant and I was also sick because Johann was my idol as a child. We had a lot of competitive anger and we put even more enthusiasm in the preparation. We heard the sound of sweat falling on the grass. Capello had more doubts and certainties at that time.
“The absence of Costacurta and, above all, that of Baresi were difficult to manage and for this reason Barcelona felt even more favoured. After the friendly against Fiorentina we had many doubts, because losing the friendly many certainties seemed to have vanished.
“He tried Desailly in defense and then in the middle of the field. Then he came to the choice of putting Maldini with Filippo Galli in the centre of defense and we found the perfect hybrid to win that cup.”
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Theman21
0
from what i see Barca are still behind in Europian Championship which is d most prestigious league in the world football.
True, but we still have more league titles. domestic trophies, European trophies, and worldwide trophies. We also have a better future then Milan. Unfortunately Milan looks to not recover for at least another 3 years. Milan is actuallly my favorite Italian club that’s why I know a lot of information about it. Sucks there doomed and have been absolute trash for almost 10 years.
Fidelcute
0
Barcelona has more continental and domestic titles then Milan. 🤷♂️Facts are facts friend.
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from what i see Barca are still behind in Europian Championship which is d most prestigious league in the world football.
Theman21
0
Don't get me wrong, i'm enjoying this debate/exchange of knowledge. no offence taken, really. But can we both agree that my Milan is more continental titles than both your Barca and Juve. keep your opinion coming. really enjoying this with u. tnx.
Barcelona has more continental and domestic titles then Milan. 🤷♂️Facts are facts friend.
Fidelcute
0
And the arrogance of Milan inspired Barcelona to 4-0 in 2013, leading Milan to become the pathetic club we know today.
Don't get me wrong, i'm enjoying this debate/exchange of knowledge. no offence taken, really. But can we both agree that my Milan is more continental titles than both your Barca and Juve. keep your opinion coming. really enjoying this with u. tnx.
Theman21
0
bro, u firering like a loosed canyon won't make ur club any better history wise. you talk of 96 trophies, do you use d domestic league alone as your yardstick for measuring success? mind you, in that regard Madrid are light years and would always be miles ahead of you. NOTE: Keep your comments respectful please. No use of abusive words. We are only making healthy debate here. tnx.
I’m sorry that you got offended so easily that certainly wasn’t my intention, I’m just stating that false information makes one look ridiculous. I’m talking both domestic and worldwide major trophies, we have more domestic trophies then Madrid but they have 7 more La Ligas, good on them. Btw light years ahead would be what Juventus have compared to Milan 34/18 now thats league domination..... Barcelona have a Better history, present, and future then Milan, sorry but facts are facts. 🤷♂️
Fidelcute
0
And the arrogance of Milan inspired Barcelona to 4-0 in 2013, leading Milan to become the pathetic club we know today.
bro, u firering like a loosed canyon won't make ur club any better history wise. you talk of 96 trophies, do you use d domestic league alone as your yardstick for measuring success? mind you, in that regard Madrid are light years and would always be miles ahead of you. NOTE: Keep your comments respectful please. No use of abusive words. We are only making healthy debate here. tnx.
Theman21
0
F.Y.I. bro get your facts right. Barca has 89 major trophies NOT 96. secondly, your so called continues success never kicked off untill the arrival of Ronaldinho in 2003. And I bet that after Messi must have retired, your club would come crashing down to earth. Barca has no significant history.
Another thing is that Milan literally became world class when Barcelona became world class you know that right? Milan didn’t have a significant history before 1989 when they won the UCL, that’s also when Johan Cryuff defined his Dream Team that dominated. Barcelona had more trophies and a equal or better history then Milan at that point. Barcelona has a better history, and future then Milan end of discussion. Again before responding go learn about football history because you have just humiliated yourself.
Theman21
0
F.Y.I. bro get your facts right. Barca has 89 major trophies NOT 96. secondly, your so called continues success never kicked off untill the arrival of Ronaldinho in 2003. And I bet that after Messi must have retired, your club would come crashing down to earth. Barca has no significant history.
Lol I didn’t read the last sentence before, I now know you 100% just started watching football kid, and have no clue about football. 😂 Milan has very inconsistent history, like I said before they win for a season and then go trophyless for 2-3 season. Barcelona have a more consistent history, and we’re now just adding and making our club better and better. 7 UCLS doesn’t change that ur club is doomed and will be for a long time now that inter is also going back to their dominant ways.
Theman21
0
F.Y.I. bro get your facts right. Barca has 89 major trophies NOT 96. secondly, your so called continues success never kicked off untill the arrival of Ronaldinho in 2003. And I bet that after Messi must have retired, your club would come crashing down to earth. Barca has no significant history.
What’re u talking about Barcelona do have 96 major trophies. We were literally one of the best teams in the 1990s. Just go look at our history. From 1900s-1950s we were very successful, stalled from 60s-early 80s and have been very successful since late 80s to now. There was no Messi before 2004 and we had massive success, that will continue. Go search Barcelonas trophies and history before spewing and making yourself look like a fool. Milan has been garbage for years they will continue being trash. Truth.
Fidelcute
0
And the arrogance of Milan inspired Barcelona to 4-0 in 2013, leading Milan to become the pathetic club we know today.
F.Y.I. bro get your facts right. Barca has 89 major trophies NOT 96. secondly, your so called continues success never kicked off untill the arrival of Ronaldinho in 2003. And I bet that after Messi must have retired, your club would come crashing down to earth. Barca has no significant history.
Theman21
0
wow, slow down bro, Milan may be a failure today, but even in all your clubs decades of dominating football they still haven't collected the same amount of Europian cups as Liverpool (6) trophies not to mention my Milan with 7(trophies)
Yea there a failure now I never said they were always a failure. Except the late 80s and early 90s Milan in their history never had continuous success they would win something for a year then go 2-3 years trophy-less and continue the cycle. They might have more UCLS but Barca have been more consistent having successful season after successful season and Barca have 96 major trophies way more then Milan.
Fidelcute
0
Lol stop arguing to make your club sound so amazing. Their arrogance was paid when they got their asss kicked by Barca in 2013. I’m 100% sure you just started watching football. Either way your sh**t club deserves to be the failure that it is now.
wow, slow down bro, Milan may be a failure today, but even in all your clubs decades of dominating football they still haven't collected the same amount of Europian cups as Liverpool (6) trophies not to mention my Milan with 7(trophies)
Theman21
0
dude if d Champions league round of 16 between Barca and Milan 2013 is ur reference point of arrogance in football. then bro u clearly are a fan of football in the 2010's.
Lol stop arguing to make your club sound so amazing. Their arrogance was paid when they got their asss kicked by Barca in 2013. I’m 100% sure you just started watching football. Either way your sh**t club deserves to be the failure that it is now.
Fidelcute
0
And the arrogance of Milan inspired Barcelona to 4-0 in 2013, leading Milan to become the pathetic club we know today.
dude if d Champions league round of 16 between Barca and Milan 2013 is ur reference point of arrogance in football. then bro u clearly are a fan of football in the 2010's.
JamesWalker
1
The clear difference....is the Squad, Milan needs to work on that, is not planing to sell Theo, Dornarumma that can be done.
Theman21
0
did I hear u say "Milan was arrogant in 2013"?? u clearly have no clue what u are saying. I think u only recently started watching football. Barca of 94 were a very good side but were too confident, which was one of d reasons they lost that finals to Milan.
No I’ve been watching football for along time, you probably just started watching football. Milan after winning 2-0 we’re celebrating like they won the UCL their fans were talking smack and some players were also acting big. They were brought back to earth in the Camp Nou, and haven’t recovered since.
Fidelcute
0
And the arrogance of Milan inspired Barcelona to 4-0 in 2013, leading Milan to become the pathetic club we know today.
did I hear u say "Milan was arrogant in 2013"?? u clearly have no clue what u are saying. I think u only recently started watching football. Barca of 94 were a very good side but were too confident, which was one of d reasons they lost that finals to Milan.
quadsimodo
0
...? I’ve heard Milan fans talk smack about Barca losing 4-0 in 94 so why is it suddenly bad if Barca fans do the same thing?
Differnce is Milan werent arrogant in 2013, and if Milan were, please provide an example.
kartikey11
0
...? I’ve heard Milan fans talk smack about Barca losing 4-0 in 94 so why is it suddenly bad if Barca fans do the same thing?
bro do whatever u want, sorry from my side
Yiecdmnt
1
one man show , without messi Barcelon is like Brecce of serie a . that is i call it Messilonia instead of Barcelon.
Theman21
0
instead of accepting u barca fans always find an excuse, barca is a great club but u fans r just miserable.
...? I’ve heard Milan fans talk smack about Barca losing 4-0 in 94 so why is it suddenly bad if Barca fans do the same thing?
kartikey11
2
And the arrogance of Milan inspired Barcelona to 4-0 in 2013, leading Milan to become the pathetic club we know today.
instead of accepting u barca fans always find an excuse, barca is a great club but u fans r just miserable.
GodwinOrji
2
the name MALDINI alone will send goose bumbs to ur opponents and force them to make mistakes [Crylaugh]
LordRamsay
1
past glories, the only thing Milan can speak of now 😂 not even Europa league team
and just when messi retires [5percent]
Theman21
12
And the arrogance of Milan inspired Barcelona to 4-0 in 2013, leading Milan to become the pathetic club we know today.
Omarie876
7
past glories, the only thing Milan can speak of now 😂 not even Europa league team