1972 European Cup final

1972 European Cup final
Match programme cover
Event1971–72 European Cup
Date31 May 1972
VenueDe Kuip, Rotterdam
Man of the MatchJohan Cruyff
RefereeRobert Héliès (France)
Attendance61,354

The 1972 European Cup final was a football match held at De Kuip, Rotterdam, on 31 May 1972, that was contested between AFC Ajax of the Netherlands and Internazionale of Italy to determine the champions of the 1971–72 European Cup. Ajax defeated Inter by a score of 2–0 to claim their second successive European Cup victory, following their triumph in the 1971 final. Two second-half goals from forward Johan Cruyff provided the margin of victory for the Dutch side.

This game has been cited as Total Football's greatest moment. Ajax dominated much of the game as Inter defended desperately with their catenaccio strategy.[1][2][3]

Route to the final

Ajax Round Inter Milan
Opponent Agg. 1st leg 2nd leg Opponent Agg. 1st leg 2nd leg
Dynamo Dresden 2–0 2–0 (H) 0–0 (A) First round AEK Athens 6–4 4–1 (H) 2–3 (A)
Olympique de Marseille 6–2 2–1 (A) 4–1 (H) Second round Borussia Mönchengladbach 4–2 4–2 (H) 0–0 (A)
Arsenal 3–1 2–1 (H) 1–0 (A) Quarter-finals Standard Liège 2–2 (a) 1–0 (H) 1–2 (A)
Benfica 1–0 1–0 (H) 0–0 (A) Semi-finals Celtic 0–0
(5–4 p)
0–0 (H) 0–0 (a.e.t.) (A)

Match

Details

Ajax 2–0 Inter Milan
Cruyff 47', 78' Report
Attendance: 61,354
Ajax
Inter Milan
GK 1 Heinz Stuy
RB 3 Wim Suurbier
CB 4 Barry Hulshoff
CB 12 Horst Blankenburg
LB 5 Ruud Krol
CM 7 Johan Neeskens
CM 15 Arie Haan
CM 9 Gerrie Mühren
RW 8 Sjaak Swart
CF 14 Johan Cruyff
LW 11 Piet Keizer (c)
Manager:
Ștefan Kovács
GK 1 Ivano Bordon
RB 2 Mauro Bellugi
LB 3 Giacinto Facchetti
DM 4 Gabriele Oriali
CB 5 Mario Giubertoni  12'
SW 6 Tarcisio Burgnich
RW 7 Jair da Costa  56'
CM 8 Gianfranco Bedin
CF 9 Roberto Boninsegna
CM 10 Sandro Mazzola (c)
LF 11 Mario Frustalupi
Substitutions:
MF 14 Mario Bertini  12'
MF 16 Sergio Pellizzaro  56'
Manager:
Giovanni Invernizzi

See also

References

  1. ^ Liew, Jonathan (27 November 2015). "From 2-3-5 to gegenpress: how football's tactical fads have come and gone". The Telegraph. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  2. ^ Siregar, Cady (13 December 2018). "What is Total Football? Famous tactics explained: the clubs, countries & players to use it". Goal.com. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  3. ^ "1972 final highlights: Ajax 2-0 Inter". UEFA. 25 January 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2020.