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The Story Of Alessandro Costacurta & AC Milan
The Story Of Alessandro Costacurta & AC Milan
24 April 1966 |
In a province just outside Milan. A day that saw the birth of one of the greatest & most underrated defenders in the history of football!
Alessandro "Billy" Costacurta
In a province just outside Milan. A day that saw the birth of one of the greatest & most underrated defenders in the history of football!
Alessandro "Billy" Costacurta
Starting off at the AC Milan youth systems, he eventually got called up to the senior squad in the 1985 season.
He didn’t make his official debut until 1986-87 under, newly appointed, Arrigo Sacchi.
He didn’t make his official debut until 1986-87 under, newly appointed, Arrigo Sacchi.
Milan & Billy won the Scudetto under Sacchi that season. He received limited playing time, though, as he was still learning from, club legend, Filippo Galli.
1988/89 |
Costacurta started establishing himself as a starter in the Milan backline. He could play anywhere at the back, but was mainly used at CB next to captaino Franco Baresi.
He won his first European title that year, when Milan beat Steaua Bucuresti 4-0 in the final.
Costacurta started establishing himself as a starter in the Milan backline. He could play anywhere at the back, but was mainly used at CB next to captaino Franco Baresi.
He won his first European title that year, when Milan beat Steaua Bucuresti 4-0 in the final.
1989/90 |
Billy was a central & integral part of Milan’s backline. He was part of the famous & greatest defences in history!
RB: Mauro Tassotti
CB: Billy Costacurta
CB: Franco Baresi
LB: Paolo Maldini
With Filippo Galli on the bench!
Billy was a central & integral part of Milan’s backline. He was part of the famous & greatest defences in history!
RB: Mauro Tassotti
CB: Billy Costacurta
CB: Franco Baresi
LB: Paolo Maldini
With Filippo Galli on the bench!
Milan & Costacurta won their 2nd consecutive European Cup that year, beating Benfica 1-0 in the final!
The team also won The Intercontinental Cup
& The European Super Cup against Johan Cruyff’s “dream team” Barcelona!
The team also won The Intercontinental Cup
& The European Super Cup against Johan Cruyff’s “dream team” Barcelona!
In Sacchi’s final season Milan won their 2nd consecutive Intercontinental Super Cup & 2nd consecutive European Super Cup!
1991 | Capello’s Milan
Billy was a permanent member of the backline. Helping Milan win 4 Serie A titles & much more!
1991/92 - Serie A
1992/93 - Serie A, Italian Super Cup 1993/94 - Serie A, Italian Super Cup 1994/95 - UCL Title, Italian Super Cup 1995/96 - Serie A
Billy was a permanent member of the backline. Helping Milan win 4 Serie A titles & much more!
1991/92 - Serie A
1992/93 - Serie A, Italian Super Cup 1993/94 - Serie A, Italian Super Cup 1994/95 - UCL Title, Italian Super Cup 1995/96 - Serie A
1991/92 - 1994/95 |
Milan had with the best defence in Italy.
Milan won The Scudetto undefeated, (58 matches unbeaten). He was crucial in Milan's defence in the 93/94 title, conceding 15 goals all season!!
Milan also managed to reach 3 consecutive UCL finals:
(93/92 - 94/95!)
Milan had with the best defence in Italy.
Milan won The Scudetto undefeated, (58 matches unbeaten). He was crucial in Milan's defence in the 93/94 title, conceding 15 goals all season!!
Milan also managed to reach 3 consecutive UCL finals:
(93/92 - 94/95!)
1995-1998 | Alberto Zaccheroni
Costacurta remained a constant starter & huge figure at the club. & through his leadership in defence, would help Milan reach the 1998 Coppa Italia Final!
Costacurta remained a constant starter & huge figure at the club. & through his leadership in defence, would help Milan reach the 1998 Coppa Italia Final!
1998/99 |
Billy was named vice-captain to Maldini after Baresi & Tassotti retired.
Milan managed to capture their 16th Scudetto win that season, and Costacurta's 6th in total, finishing ahead of Lazio by just 1 point!
Billy was named vice-captain to Maldini after Baresi & Tassotti retired.
Milan managed to capture their 16th Scudetto win that season, and Costacurta's 6th in total, finishing ahead of Lazio by just 1 point!
2002 |
Carlo Ancelotti took over midseason.
At the end of the season & with his contract expiring & at the age of 36 Costacurta decided to leave the club to pursue a Master's in Economics in the United States, after Milan tour there.
Carlo Ancelotti took over midseason.
At the end of the season & with his contract expiring & at the age of 36 Costacurta decided to leave the club to pursue a Master's in Economics in the United States, after Milan tour there.
Milan lacked defenders in their squad due to many injuries ..
So Adriano Galliani recalled Costacurta to renew his contract the night before the 2nd leg in a crucial UCL Playoff match!
Milan ended up qualifying.
So Adriano Galliani recalled Costacurta to renew his contract the night before the 2nd leg in a crucial UCL Playoff match!
Milan ended up qualifying.
2003 |
Milan finished 3rd in Serie A that season, and Costacurta won his 1st ever Coppa Italia, beating Roma in the final!
Milan finished 3rd in Serie A that season, and Costacurta won his 1st ever Coppa Italia, beating Roma in the final!
28 May 2003 |
The 1st ever all-Italian UCL final!
Having reached the UCL final that season, Milan won the game after defeating Juventus 3–2 on penalties following a 0–0 draw after extra time!
Billy was a starter at RB & won his 4th UCL title that night
The 1st ever all-Italian UCL final!
Having reached the UCL final that season, Milan won the game after defeating Juventus 3–2 on penalties following a 0–0 draw after extra time!
Billy was a starter at RB & won his 4th UCL title that night
2003/04 |
Milan won The Scudetto with a record 82 points, with Costacurta, then aged 37, winning his 7th league title with Milan! Only 3 players including Buffon have more. (8 each)
Milan won The Scudetto with a record 82 points, with Costacurta, then aged 37, winning his 7th league title with Milan! Only 3 players including Buffon have more. (8 each)
2004 |
Costacurta was elected 50th in the UEFA Golden Jubilee, which celebrated the best European footballers from the past 50 years!
Costacurta was elected 50th in the UEFA Golden Jubilee, which celebrated the best European footballers from the past 50 years!
2004/05 |
Milan started the season by winning The Supercoppa Italiana! (Billy’s 5th).
Finished 2nd in a tight Serie A race to Juventus Lost the infamous 2005 UCL Final, which Milan dominated for all but 10 minutes
Milan started the season by winning The Supercoppa Italiana! (Billy’s 5th).
Finished 2nd in a tight Serie A race to Juventus Lost the infamous 2005 UCL Final, which Milan dominated for all but 10 minutes
2005/06 | Costacurta was set to retire at the end of the season, but later signed a 1 year extension at the age of 40. 21 November 2006, he became the oldest footballer ever to play in the UCL (40 years and 213 days)
In his final professional year | He won his 5th UEFA Champions League Title with AC Milan, beating Liverpool in Athens!
On 7 May 2007 |
The legendary 41 year old, announced his retirement, at the end of the 2006/07 season.
He remained with the club as a second assistant to manager Carlo Ancelotti for a short time afterwards.
The legendary 41 year old, announced his retirement, at the end of the 2006/07 season.
He remained with the club as a second assistant to manager Carlo Ancelotti for a short time afterwards.
