Oliver Giroud’s goal at the Maradona in the Champions League against Napoli on Tuesday night came after Rafael Leao’s extraordinary run down the left wing, and it was a throwback to 35 years ago.
It seems to have turned on a lightbulb in the minds of many who remember Arrigo Sacchi’s Milan and the goal they scored at the same stadium against the same opponent on 1 May 1988 in a game that was decisive in the Scudetto race in a similar way.
Leao’s run for his assist against Napoli was a total of 74 metres in distance, beating three players and it has drawn comparisons with Ruud Gullit’s solo run at the then-San Paolo in May 1988.
🇳🇱 Gullit in 1988
🇵🇹 @RafaeLeao7 in 2023😯 Same opponent, same stadium, same outcome, 35 years on pic.twitter.com/fblnhTa3XZ
— SempreMilan 🏆 (@SempreMilanCom) April 20, 2023
I have to say, Rafa’s was a bit more impressive, as he got by 3-4 players on his own, versus Gullit who was unlocked by a pass from Maldini that bypassed the entire Napoli midfield, dribbled only one player and then passed to van Basten for the goal.
Gullit starts near the halfway line, Rafa started just outside his own penalty area. Rafa beat 3 / 4 players, Ruud only really has to beat the last defender – but both wonderful goals….