On 15 October 1972, a Lombard derby took place at San Siro. On one side Milan, on the other Atalanta. At the time it was difficult to see many goals, so much so that 0-0s were wasted. The Rossoneri are coached by Cesare Maldini, with technical director Nereo Rocco: first match 4-0 victory against Palermo, second 0-0 against Ternana, away in Umbria. Atalanta, on the other hand, has not conceded a goal in seven matches, that is, a friendly match, four Italian Cup matches with Roma, Como, Mantua and Reggina, plus Cagliari and Napoli. In short, the feeling is that there could be a 0-0, or a 1-0. Nobody would have bet on the goal in that match, if not for a question of large numbers.
And the big numbers arrive. Because Milan and Atalanta end up giving life to the match with the most goals ever. 9-3 for the Rossoneri who decide not to slow down at 4-1, but to continue to attack poor Pianta’s goal. Carelli fails to do anything on Rivera, so much so that the AC Milan striker invents a scoring opportunity every time. Prati is almost not marked, Chiarugi is in excellent form. After the seventh goal conceded, Corsini removes the goalkeeper and brings in Grassi. It will end, in fact, nine to three.
MILAN-ATALANTA 9-3
Scorers: 16′ Prati, 30′ Bigon I, 33′ Divina, 35′ Rivera, 40′ Benetti II, 50′ Chiarugi, 52′ Rivera, 54′ Ghio, 55′ Prati, 64′ Bigon I, 88′ Carelli, 90 ′ Meadows.
MILAN:
Belli, Anquilletti, Zignoli, Rosato, Schnellinger, Biasiolo, Bigon, Benetti, Prati, Rivera, Chiarugi (67′ Magherini).
Trainer: Cesare Maldini.
ATALANTA
Pianta (56′ Grassi), Maggioni, Divina, Savoia, Vianello, Picella, Sacco, Carelli, Pirola, Ghio, Vernacchia.
Trainer: Corsini