Catenaccio Conquers Europe

OTD E0203 — 22 May 1963: AC Milan beat Benfica 2–1 at Wembley to win their first EuropeanC up and become the first Italian club to lift the trophy. This episode traces the transition from Real Madrid and Benfica’s attacking European order to Nereo Rocco’s Milan, the rise of catenaccio, the tactical roots in Rappan, Viani and Rocco, Eusébio’s opener, Altafini’s two goals, the Coluna Pivatelli controversy, Herrera’s Inter, Total Football’s response, and why this final changed how Europe thought about systems.Ideas: [email protected]