The Duel (part 1)

This is the first episode of a new series: The Duel.

Two great players. One game. One winner. Who played better? You decide.

This first edition pits Gianni Rivera against Johan Cruyff. The setting is the 1969 European Cup final AC Milan vs Ajax. Milan won 4-1, after consistently overrunning the 2 man midfield from Ajax.

Gianni Rivera was given all the time and space to demonstrate both his elegant dribbling skills and his excellent passing abilites.

Cruyff got less space from the Milan defense. But at 22, he’s a daring solist who embarks on adventurous runs regardless of what he’ll find on his path.

Tbf how are we supposed to decide who played better from a 5 min clip

Quite unfair on both players imo, but based off that i would give it to Rivera; controlled the game and pretty much the reason they won by the scoreline they did tbh.....

While Cruyff looked like he tried to do everything by his self.

Having seen the entirety of this match I would give it to Gianni Rivera all day everyday, truly a captains game despite the fact his strike partner Prati got the hattrick in the end.

Cruyff though did show why he would end up dominating so much in the 70's

Indeed, 5 minutes isnt alot. But I doubt we could do this thread and me asking everyone to watch the entire game.

And yeah, Rivera had more impact, creating goals and for me the better game. I would say though you can tell Cruyff is the more talented one and has the harder task on his hands.

If anyone has a download link to the match, I don't mind taking it in...

http://www.4dfoot.com/2012/01/26/1969-european-cup-final-ac-milan-vs-ajax/

There you go Doc.


And those those voted for Cruyff, I do wish they explained it. I am hoping it isnt just because of who he is.

From those five minutes, it's Rivera all the way. He leads many counterattacks and makes several key passes that could have ended in goal. That guy oozes class.

Cruyff did well, but seems he hogged the ball too much. Reminds me of a poor man's young Messi. Although it has to be noted that he definitely had a tougher job than Rivera as he is always surrounded by Milan players while Rivera has plenty of space.

I saw this game, definitely Rivera for me. Cruyff while clearly a cut above his team mates wasn't a part of the flow of the game imo.

Rivera was and that's why Milan won.

To me, Rivera's Milan countered excellently and gave him the platform to make final passes into space. Not to different to Mou's Inter and the way Snejder was constanty getting the ball, turning and makng passes into oceans of space.

Meanwhie, Cruyff seemed to drive past 2 men, only for 2 more to be blocking his path.

The Franchise wrote:To me, Rivera's Milan countered excellently and gave him the platform to make final passes into space. Not to different to Mou's Inter and the way Snejder was constanty getting the ball, turning and makng passes into oceans of space.

Meanwhie, Cruyff seemed to drive past 2 men, only for 2 more to be blocking his path.

Pretty much, but you have to agree that Rivera's decision making was much more mature. Cruyff by his standards had a poor game, while he was still dangerous Milan made him a non-factor overall.

I'd like to think Cruyff learned from this game in subsequent years. Goes to show all the legends started somewhere.

Indeed, agree 100%. I do think though, Rivera was put in positions to make better choices.

If their roles were reversed, I think the level of end product and performance would of been closer.

In the end, just like now, you can see, players are a function of their teams and can only do so much.

Indeed, this is a young Cruyff and I am sure he learnt from this.