Serie A

52 years ago, Milan faced the first “Fatal Verona”

Published

1 month ago

05/20/2025

Staff

On May 20, 1973, Niels Liedholm’s Milan suffered a defeat against a Verona team already safe and without ambitions, losing the Scudetto to Juventus.

The standings saw the Rossoneri in first place with 44 points. The chasing pack, Lazio and Juventus, were tied in second place with 43 points. Three teams were still in the running for the title, with the Devil in the lead. Only a point against the unambitious Venetians was needed to secure the Scudetto. However, they were overwhelmed by the contrary winds of history.

VERONA FANS (PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI)

Milan-Verona: a written destiny… in pencil

Some matches go beyond the scoreline. Matches that remain not only in memory but in the lexicon of football and beyond. The “Fatal Verona” is one of those. A wound opened in the heart of Milan, a spring day that turned into a nightmare.

Milan was coming off a victory in the Cup Winners’ Cup just a few days prior. A tiring trip, given that the final was in Thessaloniki.

And we come to May 20, 1973: the final day of the season. The standings had Milan in first place with 44 points, Lazio and Juventus tied in second with 43. In short, three teams still in the race for the title, but with the Devil in the lead: just one point against the unambitious Venetians was needed to win the championship. A “formality”. And yet, they were swept away by the contrary winds of history.

With Liedholm on the bench, the Devil lined up with: Vecchi, Sabadini, Zignoli, Anquilletti, Turone, Rosato, Sogliano, Benetti, Bigon, Rivera, Chiarugi.

Verona responded with: Pizzaballa, Nanni, Sirena, Busatta, Batistoni, Mascalaito, Bergamaschi, Mazzanti, Luppi, Mascetti, Zigoni.

But at the Bentegodi stadium, in front of a Verona side already safe and carefree, everything fell apart. The match ended 5-3 in favor of the yellow and blues. A surreal game, almost Hitchcockian, where every expectation was overturned. And to think that things had started off well.

Milan took the lead, only to be pegged back. Verona played freely, without pressure, and struck fiercely. An unexpected and unthinkable thrashing.

The goals came from: Sirena, Sabadini (own goal), a brace from Luppi, Rosato, Turone (own goal), Sabadini, and Bigon.

Rumors spread quickly. Juventus, needing an almost impossible combination to win the title, began to believe. They then defeated Roma at the Olimpico with a goal from Cuccureddu, putting themselves in the lead. Milan had collapsed. The Scudetto was taking a new direction.

Unthinkable Debacle

A dramatic sporting chapter in Rossoneri history. The favorite and virtual champions, the Devil, finished second ahead of Chinaglia’s Lazio. That Sunday in May remained a warning for Italian football history. That unforgiving football, that doesn’t care about anything or anyone. Verona became the measure of the mockery. An authentic keyphrase of Rossoneri distress.

So much so that history can be truly cruel. In fact, seventeen years later – in 1990 – the story would repeat itself almost identically. But 1973 was the original. The first true “Fatal Verona” for the Rossoneri people. One that taught that in sports, and in this case football, until the final whistle blows, nothing is certain.

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Related Topics:faced fatal Milan Verona years

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Serie A

Cremonese presents Nicola with a two-year contract

Published

3 hours ago

06/21/2025

Staff

The young Brazilian talent from Palmeiras Fellipe Jack is now a Como player on a permanent deal, with a contract until 2028.

Fellipe Jack’s Transfer to Como

Fellipe Jack, a young Brazilian football prospect born in 2006, has been officially acquired by Como. The Lombard club has exercised the purchase option from Palmeiras for a fee of 2 million euros. This move marks a significant step in the young player’s career, as he will be tied to Como until 2028. Palmeiras, on the other hand, will retain 30% on a future resale, a strategic decision that could prove profitable if Jack’s talent explodes as expected. Arriving in the January transfer window, Jack has made 7 appearances in Serie A.

Como’s Statement on Jack’s Redemption

Como wasted no time in making the deal with Jack permanent, demonstrating unwavering confidence in the abilities of the young Brazilian. The long-term contract not only provides stability for the player but also gives the club the opportunity to build a competitive team around him. Jack, with his talent and young age, represents an investment for the future that could bring great satisfaction to both the club and the fans. Below is the official statement:

“Como 1907 announces that it has exercised the right of redemption of the player Fellipe Jack with SE Palmeiras. Fellipe, a defender born in 2006, arrived in Como last January on a temporary basis and in a year he has collected 23 appearances, 2 goals, and 1 assist in the Primavera championship.

In the first part of the 24/25 season, the young Brazilian talent made his Serie A debut with the Lariani. He has made four appearances so far in the Italian top league, playing against Fiorentina, Udinese, Atalanta, and Bologna. At the same time, the Italo-Brazilian player signed a contract extension, which will keep him tied to the Lariani until 2028.”

For more transfer news, click here.

Source: the X by Schira

Fellipe #Jack (born in 2006) is a #Como’s player on a permanent deal. Triggered the option to buy (€2M) from #Palmeiras, which will also have 30% on the future sale. Contract until 2028. #transfers #OM

— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) June 20, 2025

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Serie A

“Scudetto lost due to second half slump. Now we must react” – Soccer style

Published

7 hours ago

06/21/2025

Staff

Brazilian young talent Fellipe Jack from Palmeiras is now a Como player on a permanent deal, with a contract until 2028.

The transfer of Fellipe Jack to Como

Fellipe Jack, a young Brazilian football promise born in 2006, has officially been acquired by Como. The Lombard club has exercised the purchase option from Palmeiras, for a fee of 2 million euros. This move marks a significant step in the young player’s career, who will be tied to Como until 2028. Palmeiras, on the other hand, will retain 30% on a future resale, a strategic decision that could prove profitable if Jack’s talent explodes as expected. Arriving in the January transfer market, Jack has made 7 appearances in Serie A.

Como, statement on Jack’s purchase

Como wasted no time in making the agreement with Jack permanent, demonstrating unwavering confidence in the abilities of the young Brazilian. The long-term contract not only guarantees stability for the player, but also offers the club the opportunity to build a competitive team around him. Jack, with his talent and young age, represents an investment for the future that could bring great satisfaction to both the club and the fans. Below is the official statement:

“Como 1907 announces that it has exercised the right to purchase the player Fellipe Jack from SE Palmeiras. Fellipe, a defender born in 2006, arrived in Como last January on a temporary basis and in a year has collected 23 appearances, 2 goals, and an assist in the Primavera championship.

In the first part of the 24/25 season, the young Brazilian talent made his debut in Serie A with the Lariani. He has made four appearances so far in the Italian top league, against Fiorentina, Udinese, Atalanta, and Bologna. At the same time, the Italo-Brazilian player has signed a contract extension, tying him to the Lariani until 2028″.

For more transfer news, click here.

Source: X by Schira

Fellipe #Jack (born in 2006) is a #Como‘s player on a permanent deal. Triggered the option to buy (€2M) from #Palmeiras, which will also have 30% on the future sale. Contract until 2028. #transfers #OM

— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) June 20, 2025

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Serie A

How Jack was redeemed by Palmeiras – Soccer style

Published

12 hours ago

06/21/2025

Staff

Empoli continues to produce talents: from Ismaël Bennacer to Krisjan Asllani, the Tuscan club confirms itself as one of the best “midfielder schools” in Serie A.

In recent years, Empoli has stood out for its ability to enhance midfielders, turning them into absolute protagonists in Serie A and valuable assets on the market. Among the most representative names are Ismaël Bennacer, who came from Arsenal U23 team for around 1 million euros, and Hamed Junior Traorè, who grew up in the Tuscan youth sector.

The last season was no exception, despite the Tuscan club’s relegation. Antonio Buscè’s work on the Primavera team’s bench contributed to giving new life to the ‘midfielder school’ signed by Empoli, culminating in the victory of the youth league title and the growth of midfielders like Asllani, Ricci, Baldanzi, and Fazzini.

SEBASTIANO ESPOSITO AND JACOPO FAZZINI IN ACTION ( PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI )

Programming at the core of the Empoli project

With the return to Serie A in the 2021/22 season, it was Samuele Ricci who stood out, attracting the interest of Torino. Despite Ricci’s departure, the Tuscan club was not caught unprepared: they focused on Krisjan Asllani, a midfielder born in 2002 who scored his first Serie A goal against Inter, the team that became his new home a few weeks later.

From Baldanzi to Fazzini

Another talent from Empoli’s youth sector is Tommaso Baldanzi, who after scoring 24 goals in 55 appearances with the Primavera, established himself as a key player in the first team. His successor, Jacopo Fazzini, stood out despite Empoli’s relegation to Serie B, attracting the interest of Fiorentina.

Who will be the next talent launched by Empoli’s ‘midfielder school’? Only time will tell.

For more transfer news, click here.

Source: Gianluca Di Marzio.

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