Fiorentina 3, AC Milan 7 (October 1992)
An explosion of goals comes from predictable sources in this deceivingly competitive Serie A classic.
THERE WAS ENOUGH EVIDENCE to suggest AC Milan and Fiorentina would go on a scoring spree. The two sides had combined for 30 goals in the seven games they had played at the start of the 1992-93 season. The introduction of the back-pass rule triggered an uptick in offense as well.
Milan spent big to retain the title they won the prior season, bringing in 1991 Ballon d'Or winner Jean-Pierre Papin, Dejan Savicevic, and Gianluigi Lentini. Fiorentina upgraded their roster as well. Denmark's Brian Laudrup, fresh off his country's Euro 92 upset win, joined La Viola, along with German international Stefan Effenberg.
The defense that had helped Milan go unbeaten in 1991-92 had also shown signs of weakness. The Rossoneri let in four goals in a wild 5-4 win over Pescara the month prior to their trip to Florence.
The lineups
What the pregame formations looked like.
Lentini is the only one of Milan's summer signings to make Fabio Capello's starting XI. Daniele Massaro keeps his place beside Marco van Basten, with Ruud Gullit shifting out wide. Then take a look at the back line. The stuff of legend. Laudrup is listed as a left-winger for Fiorentina, but his position is fluid. Gabriel Batistuta leads the line.
The match
Reviewing the most important plays, including random thoughts about the teams and players in action. You can watch the game here.