September 13th, 1987, marked the dawn of a revolutionary chapter in football, as AC Milan took on Pisa in the opening match of the 1987/88 Serie A season. It wasn’t just any regular season opener. This game signified the start of Arrigo Sacchi’s reign as Milan’s head coach, with the highly anticipated debut of Dutch superstars Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten. What unfolded that day was a glimpse into what would become one of the most dominant teams in football history.
The Build-Up: The Arrival of Sacchi, Gullit, and Van Basten
AC Milan, under the ownership of Silvio Berlusconi, was in the midst of a transformation. Berlusconi had ambitious plans to restore Milan’s status as the premier football club in Europe, and his first significant move was appointing Arrigo Sacchi as head coach. Sacchi, who had come from managing Parma in Serie B, was relatively unknown, but his radical ideas of high-pressing and zonal marking were about to revolutionize football tactics.
To execute his vision, Sacchi needed world-class players who could fit his intense, high-octane style of play. Enter Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten, two of the brightest talents in European football at the time. Both players had made names for themselves with Feyenoord and Ajax, respectively, and their arrivals sent waves of excitement through the Milanese faithful.
The Match: Pisa vs AC Milan
AC Milan’s first test under Sacchi came away against Pisa. Although Pisa wasn’t considered a Serie A powerhouse, the pressure on Milan was immense. Expectations were high, and all eyes were on Gullit and van Basten, the two new signings who were expected to spearhead Milan’s attack.
AC Milan XI that Day:
- GK: Giovanni Galli
- RB: Mauro Tassotti
- CB: Franco Baresi (captain)
- CB: Filippo Galli
- LB: Roberto Mussi
- LM: Roberto Donadoni
- CM: Carlo Ancelotti
- CM: Mario Bortolazzi
- RM: Daniele Massaro
- AM: Ruud Gullit
- FW: Marco van Basten
The Game: Goals from Debutants
Milan started the game with a clear intensity, showing signs of Sacchi’s influence early on. Their pressing and quick passing kept Pisa on the back foot, and it wasn’t long before Milan took the lead.
In the 12th minute, Roberto Donadoni stunned the crowd with a powerful long-distance strike, opening the scoring for Milan. It was an early indication of Milan’s attacking prowess, and Donadoni’s goal was later recognized as one of the goals of the season.
However, Pisa responded quickly. In the 36th minute, Luca Cecconi equalized with a simple tap-in after Lamberto Piovanelli’s shot rebounded off Giovanni Galli. Pisa’s equalizer highlighted Milan’s defensive vulnerabilities, but Sacchi’s men continued to attack with purpose.
The game remained level until the second half when the Dutch duo took control. In the 67th minute, Ruud Gullit scored his first goal for Milan. The powerful Dutchman met a precise cross from Mauro Tassotti and headed it past Pisa’s goalkeeper Alessandro Mannini. Gullit’s goal put Milan back in the lead and showcased his physicality and aerial dominance.
Just a few minutes later, in the 85th minute, Milan was awarded a penalty after Marco van Basten was fouled in the box. Calm and composed, van Basten stepped up to take the penalty and confidently slotted it into the net. It was a perfect way to cap off his debut—showcasing his clinical finishing under pressure.
Milan ran out 3-1 winners, with both Gullit and van Basten making their mark on Italian football in their first game.
13/09/87 - Pisa 1-3 AC Milan
— My Greatest 11 (@MyGreatest11) September 13, 2022
Gullit & van Basten both score on their AC Milan Debuts pic.twitter.com/zFynUFFuX9
Arrigo Sacchi’s Influence
While Gullit and van Basten rightfully grabbed the headlines, this game was also a statement of intent from Arrigo Sacchi. His philosophy of total football—pressing aggressively, maintaining a compact defensive line, and controlling the game with zonal marking—was unlike anything Serie A had seen before. Known for its defensive, tactical rigidity, Serie A was about to be turned on its head by Sacchi’s Milan, who were playing football at a relentless pace with creativity and freedom in attack.
Milan’s ability to win the ball high up the pitch and transition quickly into attack was a hallmark of Sacchi’s system, and it was clear that players like Gullit and van Basten were perfect for the system. The intelligence and technical ability of both Dutch stars allowed Milan to execute Sacchi’s high-pressing game to perfection.
The Beginning of an Era
The 1987/88 season would go on to be one of Milan’s most successful campaigns in recent memory. The partnership between Gullit and van Basten flourished, while Sacchi’s tactical innovations took Serie A by storm. Milan would eventually win the Scudetto that season, their first league title in nine years, ending the dominance of Napoli and Juventus.
This victory against Pisa on September 13th, 1987, was more than just a 90-minute football match. It was the beginning of a golden era for AC Milan. Over the next few years, Milan, under Sacchi, would dominate not just Italian football but the European stage, winning back-to-back European Cups in 1989 and 1990.
Conclusion: A Debut to Remember
Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten’s debut on September 13, 1987, wasn’t just memorable because both players found the back of the net. It marked the birth of a new Milan, a team that would dominate Europe with its fast, aggressive style of football under the genius of Arrigo Sacchi. That day, Milan fans didn’t just witness two Dutch stars— they witnessed the first steps of a team that would go on to create football history.
What began as a sunny afternoon in Pisa quickly became a landmark moment, one that would change the course of football for years to come.