A press release at the end of April 1954 announced Trabattoni‘s farewell to AC Milan. Next at the helm, only a few weeks later, the Rossoneri welcomed Andrea Rizzoli. The name says it all: the new patron of Milan was the son of Angelo Rizzoli, founder of the major publishing house RCS MediaGroup, as well as a famous film producer. Andrea was another prominent entrepreneur similar to that of Pirelli, as he took over his father’s publishing and production empire. His philosophy was simple, be ambitious and successful, and it was the same as that of his predecessor. His time with Milan brought about a series of innovations though, including numerous championships (4 Scudetti in 1954-55, 1956-57, 1958-59, 1961-62, 1 Latin Cup in 1956, 1 Champions League Cup in 1963). The Milan Vice President Gian Girolamo Carraro described him as a “charismatic and judicious person.”
Meanwhile Rizzoli was also the one responsible for building Milanello (just as Pirelli was behind the that of San Siro) and the high-price signing of the skilled Juan Alberto “Pepe” Schiaffino. His campaign to find great players was not limited to those purchased abroad, as we all know too well, Italy had an abundance within its own boarders. A young man from Trieste at that time would join the Rossoneri, he had just returned to Italy in October 1954, after living many years in limbo between Italy and Yugoslavia. This man was none other than the first in a well-known legendary family: Cesare Maldini.
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