On May 1, 1988, at the San Paolo stadium in Fuorigrotta, there was the big match. Napoli-Milan is worth a Scudetto, because the Rossoneri coached by Arrigo Sacchi managed an extraordinary feat, that of recovering many points from Maradona’s men. Napoli are the outgoing Italian champions, but had to immediately capitulate due to a goal by Virdis, which was then equalized by Maradona at the end of the first half. However, Virdis doubled their lead midway through the second half, van Basten scored a trio with a quarter of an hour to go, with Careca closing the gap. It ends 2-3 and Milan will go to more than 3: in the era of two-point games, an enormity.
Was Arrigo Sacchi’s Milan born here? Possible, because he came from a fluctuating period, where he had not found continuity. On one side there were Maradona and Careca, on the other the Dutch, Rijkaard, Gullit and van Basten who, shortly thereafter, would also win the 1988 European Championship. Maradona was top scorer in Serie A.
Napoli-Milan 2-3
Scorers: 36′ Virdis, 45′ Maradona, 68′ Virdis, 76′ Van Basten, 78′ Careca.
Naples
Garella; Bruscolotti (73′ Carnival), Ferrara, Francini, Bigliardi, Renica, Careca, De Napoli, Bagni (56′ Giordano), Maradona, Romano.
Trainer: whites
Milan
Gauls; Tassotti, Maldini, Colombo, Galli, Baresi, Donadoni (46′ Van Basten), Ancelotti, Virdis (82′ Massaro), Gullit, Evani.
Trainer: Sacks.