As Andriy Shevchenko took to the touchline at San Siro before Milan kicked-off proceedings against Genoa in the Coppa Italia Round of 16, he experienced an emotional moment glancing at the Curva Sud.
Milan ultras prepared a banner to honor the former Rossoneri icon, who spearheaded the club’s forward line for eight seasons – scoring 175 goals in 322 appearances – and ended up as the second highest goalscorer, only behind Swedish legend Gunnar Nordahl.
His name was thunderously chanted before kick-off, as he waved at the fans with great affection.
END OF THE ROAD? ??
On an emotional return to the San Siro this evening, Shevchenko was given a hero’s welcome by the home support
Milan fans remembering their club legend as a player
As a manager his Genoa took the lead & played well before Milan won 3-1 in the end AET… pic.twitter.com/sZ39nRLG4x
— Zorya Londonsk (@ZoryaLondonsk) January 13, 2022
The banner read: ‘A long love story, the gaze in Manchester sculpted in our hearts, Sheva legend forever.’
#MilanGenoa #Shevchenko pic.twitter.com/SCjvD4nBV6
— Abood (@AbdullahMaale) January 13, 2022
The gaze in Manchester refers to Shevchenko’s glimpse of German referee Markus Merk moments before he took the stride to strike the title-winning penalty at Old Trafford in the last kick of the 2002/03 UEFA Champions League.
Quello sguardo
Quel labbro che rientra
Sei nella storia del milan
Ci hai regalato la Champions con più goduria nella storia
Casa nostra è anche casa tua.
Casa tua, è rossonera.#MilanGenoa #Shevchenko pic.twitter.com/otp2eBy0qb— Jimmy Grimble (@grimble_jim) January 13, 2022
Sheva’s penalty handed Milan their sixth European Cup title.
The moment is still fondly remembered by the Milan faithful, who expressed their gratitude to the Ukraine legend with a heartfelt message.
Il messaggio della curva a Sheva: “ Una lunga storia d’amore, lo sguardo di Manchester scolpito nel cuore” https://t.co/las0IYGLY6
— MilanNews.it (@MilanNewsit) January 13, 2022
In what began as a heartwarming moment early on in the game with chants dedicated to Shevchenko’s exploits in the Red & Black shirt, quickly turned sour after second half as the Rossoneri registered a remarkable comeback despite Genoa’s spirited display until the end.
Il Grifone’s 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Rossoneri could very well dictate the end of Andriy Shevchenko’s short but unimpressive Genoa stint, wherein he has managed just one victory in 11 matches so far with a win percentage of 9%.
Andriy Shevchenko facing sack just two months into club management careerhttps://t.co/j19Rpb7iXI pic.twitter.com/NzWNeDjgWu
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) January 10, 2022