A Milan Legend

During these little ‘interims’ in the season when international fixtures are taking place, I will take the opportunity to reflect on some of Milan’s greatest players in the past in a segment aptly named Milan Legends.

This first edition will feature Andriy Shevchenko. It seems necessary to reflect on the Ukranian now that he has moved back to where it all started at Dynamo Kyiv. Shevchenko’s move back to his homeland all but confirms that we have seen the best of one of Europe’s greatest ever strikers. True he still may show us glimpses of his best with Dynamo in this year’s Champions League but at nearly the age of 33 (Andriy’s Birthday is the 29th of September) Shevchenko’s best days are clearly behind him.

So lets recount Shevchenko’s glory days which are mostly to be found during his period first period with Milan.

Milan were alerted to the attention of Shevchenko following his colossal performances in the 1997-98 Champions League where he scored 6 goals in ten matches including a hat-trick at the Nou Camp against Barcelona. The following season, Shevchenko scored 33 goals for Kyiv in all competitions in just 44 appearances and this was enough to make Milan come calling. Shevchenko moved to Milan for the start of the 1999-00 season.

Shevchenko was an instant success in Italy as he went on to score 29 goals in all competitions in his debut season whilst claiming the Capocannoniere (top scorer in Serie A) award. His impact in Italy in his first season was recognised when he received the Best Foreign Player Award in 2000.

The following season Milan did make a greater impact in European competition with Shevchenko finding the net on nine occasions. Although Milan were knocked out at the second group stage, Shevchenko’s tally was enough to earn him the award of Champions League Top Scorer Award. A stellar European campaign by the Ukranian star was backed up by another good showing in Serie A where Shevchenko once again claimed 24 goals.

Milan were forced to play in the UEFA Cup the following season making it to the semi finals before being ousted by Borussia Dortmund. It was not Shevchenko’s best season however the Ukranian did manage to collect 17 goals in as many appearances. Importantly Milan finished in the top four this season qualifying for the Champions League.

The 2003 season was a great season for Milan and although Shevchenko only went to claim 10 goals he was decisive in the Champions League final as he slotted home the winning penalty in the final against Juventus. Milan also lifted the Coppa Italia and duly won the UEFA Super Cup following their Champions League success.

Scoring the winning penalty in 2003

Shevchenko was back to his scoring best the following season as he went on to score 24 goals in Serie A which was enough for him to reclaim the Capocannoniere. Milan also claimed the Scudetto for the 17th time as well as the Italian Super Cup. A remarkable 12 months was rounded off nicely when Shevchenko was awarded the Ballon d’Or.

In the 2004-05 season Shevchenko suffered a fractured cheekbone. Yet despite this set back the Milan number seven still collected 26 goals in all competitions. Milan came second this season to Juventus though the Bianconeri was later stripped of this title due to Calciopoli. The season was to end with bitterness for Shevchenko as he missed the decisive penalty in the final against Liverpool.

In the 2005-06 season Shevchenko would go on to continue his good scoring form as the Ukranian star netted 28 goals in all competitions including 9 in the Champions League. With his impressive tally in the Champions League, Shevchenko was awarded the Champions League Top Scorer Award for the second time.

His last goal for Milan was in the quarter finals against Lyon where Milan staged a late comeback to earn a place in the semi finals against Barcelona.

Shevchenko went on to become Milan’s second all-time goalscorer when he scored against Treviso on the 8 February 2006.

By this time, Shevchenko was a fan’s favourite at Milan. However in the summer of 2006, Shevchenko left Milan for the riches of Chelsea.

In short, his time at Chelsea was less than spectacular. Despite a promising start to his Chelsea career, Shevchenko failed to reach the heights he did at Milan. In an attempt to resurrect his career Shevchenko was loaned back to Milan for the 2008-09 season. However, he failed to score a single goal in Serie A as he went on to claim just two goals in all apppearances.

Now back at Dynamo Kyiv and it is most likely that we will never see the Shevchenko of old again. But, we Milan fans can at least be grateful for his contribution to the club. Indeed, his contribution to the club was so great will always be regarded as a legend of Milan.