As the clock ticks over for another year and as we enter a new decade, I thought it timely to reflect on some of the best moments of the last decade. Overall, as a Milanista, the noughties were a relative success. Sure we only captured one Scudetto, but we did make three champions league finals winning two of them. In addition, the exploits of players like Kaka, Maldini and Shevchenko have only further extended the already rich and proud history of our great club.

In reflecting over the decade, I thought it best to simply name the best moments in order from ten to one. If you agree then great, if not, then write a comment and have your say.

1. Redemption against Liverpool and victory in the 2007 Champions League final
Without doubt this was the best moment of the decade for our club and the most important moment too. This victory meant so much to Milan and its fans like us. First of all, it was a chance to win the trophy that we somehow lost two years earlier. Secondly, it was a chance to defeat our nemesis of that dreadful night two years earlier in Liverpool. Lastly, it gave Milan fans one more lasting memory of the Maldini era as we watched on with pride and joy as il capitano hoisted the trophy for amazingly the fifth time in his career and his second time as captain. A truly wonderful night it was to be a Milan fan and one of the greatest moments in the history of the club. Long will live in the memory that night in Athens.

2. Winning the 2003 Champions League against Italian rivals Juventus
In club football, there is no greater prize than the Champions League and for this reason our 2003 Champions League triumph comes in at second. Having not won the trophy since 1994, it was on this night that Milan embarked on a great period of success in Europe. In fact, Milan had barely featured in Europe’s premier competition since the demolition of Barcelona in 1994 having only featured twice where once they lost out to Ajax in the final of 1995 and on the other occasion failed to get past the group stages in the woeful 1997 campaign. With this backdrop, Milan’s return to the top of Europe with victory in Manchester was all the more incredible and due to the emergence of a truly great Milan side that boasted players like Nesta, Maldini, Shevchenko, Inzaghi, Pirlo and Gattuso. A classic encounter albeit only in the Italian tradition, it was penalties that decided it with Shevchenko sending Buffon the wrong way to secure Milan’s sixth European Cup. It was a great night for Milan and for Italian football.

3. Milan 3 Manchester United 0 (2007 Champions League semi final)
This was the best team performance by Milan of the decade and a most important one too. With a place in the final at stake with a chance to take revenge on Liverpool, there was much to lose and gain in what was a rainy night in Milan. Trailing by a goal as a result of the 3-2 defeat in the first leg at Old Trafford, Carlo and his side led by the inspirational Kaka immediately took control of the game as Kaka volleyed home first in the 11th minute before Seedorf well and truly put Milan on their way with a clinical finish on the half hour mark. In midfield, the battle between Gattuso and Ronaldo intrigued and it was the little bull from Calabria that pushed and shoved Ronaldo out of the game. Milan seemed in control throughout the match and as Manchester United pushed forward as the clock ticked over, Gilardino ensure Milan’s place in the final with a nice finish just twelve minutes from the finish.

4. Milan 6 Inter 0
Coming in close behind was the memorable demolition of our city rivals Inter in the 2001 Serie A campaign. A double from both Commandini and Shevchenko alongside strikes by Giunti and the outstanding Serginho gave Milan a famous victory and one that will not be forgotten for some time if ever by the Milan faithful. Such a win was not anticipated as the Milan side that took the field that day was one very much in transition with the likes of Helveg, Commandini, Guly and Giunti present. Such players were to play little further part at Milan, however, their names will live long in the memory of those fans who watched this special derby victory.

5. 2007 FIFA Club World Cup victory
Maybe not the most prestigious trophy nor the most credible, however, claiming the official title as the number club in the world is an honour worthy of a top five moment of the decade. This victory rounded off an incredible year for the club in which the club reclaimed the Champions League trophy and our most infuential player, Kaka, was awarded FIFA World Player of the Year. In the semi final, Milan were anything but convincing against Japanese champions Urawa Reds and it was a solitary Seedorf goal in the 68th minute that separated the sides at full time. In the final, however, Milan turned on the style scoring four goals and claiming a three goal advantage at one point. It was perhaps the last great night for Milan and for such players like Maldini and Kaka, as their Milan careers would only last another two unfullfiled years.

6. Milan defeat Inter in the 2003 Champions League semi final
Defeating our city rivals at any time is a great moment, but defeating them in the most coveted club competition in the world is even greater. With the first leg at ‘home’ ending in a nil-all draw, it was all to play for in the second half with the slight advantage to Milan because of the away goals rule. And indeed, it was the away goals rule that decided the outcome, as Shevchenko’s half time strike was cancelled out by Martins late on, however, enough to see Milan through. This tie against two city rivals set the tone for the rest of the decade, as Milan would go on to more success in Europe whilst Inter would prove to be perennial under achievers on the European stage.

7. Milan 4 Deportivo 1
This amazing victory and the man of the match performance by Kaka introduced our Brazilian number 22 to the world. Having gone a goal down in the tenth minute, Milan replied in emphatic fashion first through Kaka’s wonder goal on the stroke of half time. Shevchenko then scored the second, as he passed one defender before slotting home. Kaka grabbed his second of the night two minutes later with a strike from outside the box before Pirlo wrapped things up with an audacious free kick from outside the box. It was a spectacular performance that night and one in which Kaka’s magic shone for all to see.

For sure

8. Paolo Maldini’s fairwell against Roma 2009
Milan may not have faired well in this match against Roma, but that was not important on a day that marked the end of the legendary career of Milan king, Paolo Maldini. A career spent entirely with the Rossoneri, Maldini played first team football for 25 and in this time won countless honours, both at club and personal level. Notably, Maldini conjured up a total of seven Scudetti, five European Cup titles, five Italian Super Cups, five European Super Cups, two Intercontinential Cups and one FIFA World Club Cup. A true legend of the game, Maldini was noted for his professionalism, grace and honour. On 24 May at the San Siro, Maldini officially bowed down from playing professional football in a highly emotional day for all Milanisti.

9. Paolo Maldini play his 1000th game

10. Real Madrid 2 Milan 3
The start of the 2009-10 season proved to be a very difficult time for Milan. The sale of Kaka, the loss of Carlo and the retirement of Maldini hurt the side and the early season performances showed this. However, following an impressive come from behind win against Roma in the Serie A, Milan travelled to Madrid to face the new Galacticos featuring former Milan star Kaka. Dida’s fumble midway through the first half put Milan on the backfoot with many discounting their ability to come back. But come back they did and in emphatic fashion too. It was Pirlo on the hour mark who with a wonder strike out of nowhere levelled things up before Pato, latching on to a long ball by Ambrosini, glided past Casillas and slotted home to give Milan the lead. Real did get back into the match through Drenthe before Milan found what they thought was the winner as Thiago Silva rose above the Madrid defence to nod home from a corner five minutes from time. Despite the goal been disallowed, Milan did find a winner just minutes from time as Seedorf cleverly spotted Pato at the back post and the young Brazilian volleyed home to give Milan a most important three points and a great victory too.