Former Milan director Silvano Ramaccioni goes back over his career, including the infamous Champions League defeat to Liverpool. “The Gods were jealous, that’s the only explanation.”
The 81-year-old was part of the San Siro staff for 32 years in various roles from 1982 and spoke to MilanNews.it about some of the most memorable events in that time.
Former Milan director Silvano Ramaccioni goes back over his career, including the infamous Champions League defeat to Liverpool. “The Gods were jealous, that’s the only explanation.”
The 81-year-old was part of the San Siro staff for 32 years in various roles from 1982 and spoke to MilanNews.it about some of the most memorable events in that time.
“We won the Scudetto with Arrigo Sacchi, beating a fantastic Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo. Then the European Cup victory with Steaua Bucharest to the Final with Barcelona and the Intercontinental Cup against Olimpia Asuncion. I worked with great coaches and unforgettable players who allowed us to experience all of that.”
There were also setbacks, such as fumbling a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Liverpool in Istanbul, losing on penalties.
“I remain convinced, as I’ve said many times, that the only reason we lost that game was the Gods were jealous. That’s the only explanation,” said Ramaccioni.
“Our first half was extraordinary, there was absolutely no indication of what would happen in just six minutes after the break. I still remember that save Jerzy Dudek made on Andriy Shevchenko in the final minutes of extra time. Incredible.
“Unfortunately, it’s something that happened. I had to take anti-anxiety medication that night, because I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t believe what had happened.”
A few years before that, Milan were banned from the Champions League after storming off the pitch when the floodlights failed in the Olympique Marseille home ground.
“We had the very clear and very real sensation that they were taking us for a ride. It was not an accident that the floodlight went down. It was done on purpose, during a moment of the game where we could’ve scored and forced extra time. They were sneaky about it and that led to the rest.”
Ramaccioni himself was suspended from Serie A in 2012 after the infamous Sulley Muntari ‘phantom goal’ against Juventus – when the ball clearly crossed the line and it was not given.
“That was my only ban in my long Milan career. It was only a joke, the referees heard me say to the players after the final whistle: ‘Hey lads, keep a hand over your wallets.’”