AC Milan legend Ruud Gullit, 34 years ago was the victim of one of the biggest arbitral errors ever in the Champions League / European Cup. In an interview with Marca, the Dutchman laughs back at that moment.
As a player on the biggest European stage, Gullit regularly had to deal with Real Madrid. Memorable was the clash with Real in the semi-final of the European Cup in the 1988/89 season, when Milan would eventually crown itself as the best team in Europe. In the first leg in Bernabéu, the Rossoneri had a hard time. Not only because of Real, but also because of the arbitration.
The VAR was missed when a line was drawn by a crystal clear goal from Gullit. The goal was disallowed for offside, but that was clearly not the case. Gullit reacted with incomprehension at the time, but can now laugh about it. “Ah, you know, in the Bernabéu that’s offside,” said Gullit with a wink about Real’s home advantage. He adds: “No, it wasn’t even close to offside. But you had to accept that that could happen.”
After the 1-1 in Madrid, Milan made the difference at home by winning 5-0 against the Spanish superpower. Current Real coach Carlo Ancelotti experienced it up close, the 63-year-old Italian played in golden Milan together with Gullit. “It was always clear that Carlo would become a coach. He is very serious in how he approaches football, but most importantly he is a good person. He knows everything about tactics and his strength is how he treats players. Think of him as your favorite uncle,” says Gullit about his old teammate, who will play against Liverpool tonight with Real in the eighth final.
Ruud Gullit’s pick to win the Champions League
Ruud Gullit sees Napoli win the Champions League. The Amsterdammer, himself champion of Europe at club level with AC Milan in 1989 and 1990, currently sees no better team than that of Luciano Spalletti
That tells the European Championship winner to the Gazzetta dello Sport. He adds, “I’ve always said Napoli are favorites to win the Champions League, and I haven’t changed my mind. They play a kind of football that everyone likes to watch. Fast and vertical. The English clubs are strong, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid too, but Napoli is really different compared to the rest.”
Gullit sees a big difference between today’s Napoli and the team he knew from his days as a footballer, especially leaning on the arts of Diego Maradona. “That team was completely dependent on him, while this is a complete, entertaining team. They can become champions and go far in Europe,” says Gullit.
