Newly-promoted Padova were enduring a torrid start to their 1994/95 campaign.
Anchored to the bottom of Serie A with a single point from the five opening rounds, the visit of reigning Italian and European champions AC Milan was a foreboding prospect. Over 19,000 supporters descended upon the recently inaugurated Stadio Euganeo in hope, rather than expectation, of a home victory.
With the exception of American international Alexi Lalas and full-back Davide Balleri, Padova’s starting line-up was comprised of the same journeymen and youngsters who had gained promotion from Serie B the previous season. On paper, they were no match for Milan’s expensively assembled troupe of global superstars.
Yet it was Padova who took an improbable lead – and from an unlikely source too.
Veteran forward Giuseppe ‘Nanu’ Galderisi bravely challenged Milan ‘keeper Sebastiano Rossi for a high ball. As bodies crashed to the ground, the ball squirmed from Rossi’s grasp and the auburn-haired Lalas – a central defender by trade – was on hand to apply the simplest of finishes. In doing so, he became Padova’s first ever goal scorer at their new stadium, hurdling the advertising boards to celebrate with the faithful.
Milan coach Fabio Capello was scathing in his post-match assessment of the referee, complaining that not one, but three Padova players had been offside in the build-up to the goal. Those frustrations were compounded when Marcel Desailly harshly received a second yellow card, leaving Milan one goal down and one man down with an hour still to play.
What Padova lacked in craft they made up for in application. Well-organised, determined and full of heart; La Stampa likened them to a team of marathon runners, never giving up on a lost cause. In defence, Lalas and Massimiliano Rosa neutralised Milan’s advances, whilst Carmine Nunziata and Gianni Cavezzi were asserting their influence on the centre of midfield.
The hosts went into the break with their slender lead intact.
As the teams returned for the second half, the early evening sun cast long shadows over the lush green surface. Milan pushed for an equaliser but appeared unusually lacklustre. It was former Padova loanee, Demetrio Albertini, who came closest to levelling the score when he unleashed a fearsome strike from 20 yards, which cannoned off Adriano Bonauiti’s crossbar.
On the hour mark, Padova’s numerical advantage told. Franco Gabrieli – aged 32 and making just his sixth career appearance in Serie A – was afforded the time and space to stride forward from full back. He slalomed through Milan’s defensive lines before unleashing an unstoppable drive from his weaker right foot. Few seemed more surprised than Gabrieli himself. Scenes of delirium ensued; a maiden league victory was now firmly within Padova’s grasp.
Milan rallied once more. First, Ruud Gullit’s long-range shot skimmed the post. Then, Padova scrambled the ball clear after Marco Simone’s tantalising ball into the six-yard box. Ultimately, the Rossoneri ran out of steam. As the clock ticked down, Padova began to toy with their weary opponents. An indulgent spell of Padova possession drew a cacophony of whistles from the visiting curva.
Padova’s heroic victory over Milan came 34 years after the last one. On that occasion, it was the tactical mastery of Nereo Rocco which had won the day. This modern incarnation of Padova had produced an accomplished defensive performance that the Godfather of catenaccio himself would have commended.
This was Padova’s first win of the season and a victory that lifted them off the bottom of the table. More importantly still, it was a triumph that instilled belief in the squad. If they could do it against Milan they could do it against anyone.
We’ll pick up the story of Padova’s 1994/95 in future editions of our Classic Encounters series. In the meantime, check out the story of Padova’s Coppa Italia victory over Inter at San Siro.
Calcio England 
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