Throwback Thursday: Inter’s Infamous Cinque Maggio

On May 5th, 2002, three teams were still battling for the Scudetto with only 90 minutes to go. Inter, leading the ranks with 69 points, were due to play Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico. It was supposed to be an easy win for the Nerazzurri, in view of their long-lasting friendship with the Roman side. But Lazio's midfielder Karel Poborsky had a different idea...

Throwback Thursday: George Weah’s Amazing Coast-to-Coast

When Milan acquired 29-year-old George Weah from PSG in the summer of 1995, many commentators raised their eyebrows. "King George” would, however, prove them wrong and become an iconic player for the Milanese side, remembered for such exploits as the coast-to-coast goal he scored against Verona in the opening game of the 1996-97 season.

Throwback Thursday: The Lecce-Udinese Coppa Italia Goalfest

Lecce-Udinese was an iconic battle in the 2004-2005 campaign. The Salentini and the Friuliani faced each other four times that season, twice in Campionato and twice in Coppa Italia. The match of November 20th, 2004, in particular, lived up to the craziest show-time expectations, featuring 9 goals and a dramatic last-minute penalty saved by Udinese’s David Di Michele.

Throwback Thursday: Kazu Miura’s Stamp on the Genoa Derby

The first Japanese player to ever set foot in Serie A was Kazuyoshi “Kazu” Miura. Before Hideyoshi Nakata and Shunsuke Nakamura, before Takayuki Morimoto and Yuto Nagatomo, there was this little-known son of the Rising Sun who played for the Rossoblu side of Genoa in the 1994-95 season. Miura tallied 21 presences and 1 goal only - but oh, what a goal that was.

Throwback Thursday: Prince Francescoli’s Most Precious Pearl

On September 1, 1991, Cagliari received title-holder Sampdoria at the Sant' Elia Stadium in the opening match of Serie A 1991-92. The most representative player of the Rossoblu was Uruguayan midfielder Enzo Francescoli, who is still widely remembered in Sardinia for a magnificent goal that helped his side knock the Italian champions down.

Throwback Thursday: Gullit and the Birth of the Milan-Napoli Feud

If the Roma-Juventus feud characterized the first half of the ‘80s in Italian football, there is no doubt about Milan-Napoli being the most exciting duel towards the end of the decade. The match that set the beginning of this rivalry took place on January 3, 1988, when Ruud Gullit literally drove the Partenopei nuts and inflicted them their first seasonal defeat.

Throwback Thursday: Totti’s Ballistic Prodigy (One of The Many)

There are many reasons why Francesco Totti has gained an unparalleled place of honor in the Roma supporters’ pantheon, as well as in any good calcio lover’s. The most simple is that perhaps he was just an awesomely talented football player, capable of scoring such unique goals as the one by which he stunned the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in a 2-4 win against Sampdoria.

Throwback Thursday: When Le Roi Platini Replied to Uncle Bergomi

A shocking first-minute opener by Inter’s beloved “Uncle” Giuseppe Bergomi, a penalty tap-in by Le Roi Michel Platini, after Walter Zenga had saved his first shot. The Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus played at the San Siro Stadium on November 24, 1985, was a showcase of talent and players who would go on to make history in their respective clubs.

Throwback Thursday: Van Basten and Milan’s New Fatal Verona

Marco Van Basten removing his shirt and throwing it to the ground. The Swan of Utrecht sent off by referee Rosario Lo Bello, together with teammates Frank Rijkaard and Alessandro Costacurta. The surreal images of Milan’s second "Fatal Verona" are stuck in any Rossonero’s mind, remembering him of when his club lost 1-2 to the Gialloblu to throw a Scudetto away.

Throwback Thursday: Brazil-Italy, The First World Cup Penalty Final

Brazil-Italy is the Superclasico of the World Cup, the most traditional game in the major football competition. The Azzurri and the Selecao have crossed their paths many times in the history of the world tournament, always with much at stake. On July 17, 1994, Brazil prevailed over Italy in the first World Cup Final decided on penalties to conquer the long-yearned-for "Tetra."

Throwback Thursday: Milan-Steaua, Sacchi’s Perfect Game

On this day, 30 years ago, the history of football changed. Arrigo Sacchi’s Milan trampled Steaua Bucuresti 4-0 with braces by Ruud Gullit and Marco Van Basten to conquer the European Cup 1988-89, the third in the history of the Rossoneri. The triumph in Barcelona marked the International legitimization of the Romagna-born coach’s football verbo.