Memories of 2-0 win over Hibernians in 1968

AC Milan's visit to Malta between January 2 and 10 for a mid-term training camp brings back memories of the Italian giants' only other trip to the islands way back in December 1968.

On that occasion, on the initiative of Milan Club Malta officials Peter Buontempo and the late John Dalli, arrangements were made for Milan to play against Hibernians at the old Empire Stadium.

As happened this month when Birkirkara FC gave news of the lucrative friendly on January 9, Italian football lovers were overjoyed when, 38 years ago, it was confirmed that Milan were playing Hibernians after the Malta FA's go-ahead.

That year the Paolites had already hosted Manchester United and figured in a creditable 0-0 draw at the Gzira stadium.

Ticket prices were set at 50 cents and Lm1. Milan were Italy champions that year but the side that came to Malta did not include star players Rivera, Prati, Malatrasi, Anquiletti and Rosato. They had joined the national team for another trip to Mexico while Schnellinger was on holiday in his homeland Germany. Trapattoni, Hamrin and goalkeeper Cudicini were in the squad.

A few months later the Rossoneri won the Champions Cup for the second time in the club's history after trouncing Ajax 4-1 in Madrid.

Among the conditions laid down in the contract, AC Milan demanded Lm2,000 in appearance money besides flights and hotel accommodation for 22 persons. All expenses were forked out by Hibernians FC.

The Milan contingent landed in Malta on December 28. Waiting for them at the airport gallery were hundreds of fans who accompanied the players to their hotel - the Metropole in Sliema.

On that same day, the visitors were treated to a reception at the Hibernians club in Paola.

A crowd of 9,000 saw Milan beating Hibs 2-0 on December 29. The traffic jam that developed before kick-off forced Hibs to arrive at the stadium some 20 minutes late.

It took Milan several minutes to settle down on the bone-hard surface but once they got used to the bounce of the ball they started to impose their superiority and scored on 35 minutes through a Sormani header. Fogli made it 2-0 from a penalty soon after the restart.

Among the distinguished guests for the friendly were Mr Morgan, Wales FA president, and former England great Sir Stanley Matthews, a resident in Malta at the time.

The first Milan Club Malta stopped functioning in 1965 but was re-launched in 1968 and 1979. It is now based in Qormi.

Note: Data compiled by John Andrew Gauci, founder of the re-launched Milan Club Malta in 1979.

Friendly - December 29 (Empire Stadium)

Hibernians vs AC Milan 0-2
Hibernians: Mizzi (Thompson), Caruana, Mallia, Delia, Azzopardi, Theobald, Privitera, Buckle, Mifsud, Aquilina, Bonello.
Milan: Cudicini (Belli), Santini, Scala, Baveni, Maldera, Trapattoni, Hamrin (Mercheni), Fogli, Sormani, Rognoni, Mora (Margherini).
Referee: Turu Lentini.
Linesmen: P. Bonnet, J.F. Galea.