The Immortal Billy Costacurta: Wanted by Briatore to coach Rangers

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Looks great. Very nice... FORZA BILLY!

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Well, what can I say about Billy's final game? He hacked down attackers like a rabid 25-year-old, he capitalized on a penalty to score the third and final goal of his long, long career at Milan--

Milan lost, not that it matters now. The curva sud made him a farewell banner, but it wasn't especially beautiful.

It was bittersweet, a little good luck and a little bad, a moment of glory and an hour of sweat, balls, and heart in the face of what was ultimately a defeat.

But that's always been Billy's story: it's always been almost a fairytale-- almost.

A happy ending? Nah. It doesn't need to be. Nothing's ended yet.

Grazie, Billy. See you next season.

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COSTACURTA AFTER UDINESE
5/19/2007
Here is what Billy Costacurta had to say after his final match: 'It was a great celebration. I want to thank everyone, the club and my team-mates and all the fans. Now, the moment has arrived for me to do something new and I think that the challenge of my new profession will be enough to keep me from looking back on the past. I had many options to choose from, but my main goal was to still be a member of this glorious club.'

AC MILAN - Sito Ufficiale - Official Website

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ROSSONERI PRIDE AND JOY
5/19/2007 9:35:00 PM
Billy Costacurta felt proud to have played for Milan for 27 years while Yoann Gourcuff was celebrating his first goal in Serie A in the post-game comments

COSTACURTA: On the day dedicated to him, Alessandro Costacurta left his mark in his final game when he scored from the penalty spot for what was his third goal of his career. With a smile on his face he said: 'I even showed today that I am a goalscorer that does well in attack. It’s a wonderful day and I am very grateful to everyone for this celebration. I have to thank the club, my team-mates and my family. It was really a particular day and the build-up was different from normal. Fortunately, my team-mates stopped it becoming too dramatic as they joked about. It was an unforgettable moment, just as I imagined. I wanted to remain in the environment and the club and my team-mates allowed this to happen. I'll miss these moments but my new profession will not allow me to look back.' To be playing at the highest level at the age of 41 is something out of the ordinary: 'I am very proud to have remained at this club for 27 years. I am really linked to it. I grew up amongst the trees of Milanello... I like this feeling of belonging between me and Milan.'

GOURCUFF: ‘I am happy that I scored but we didn’t win, even though we have already qualified for next year’s Champions League preliminaries. I was really motivated today because I wanted to demonstrate that I want to stay here. I must improve my game, my quickness. I worked hard in the first half to find the right pace and I felt better in the second half. My goal was good for me.’ About the penalty-kick that Billy took for the tug on his shirt: ‘I am really happy for Billy. I am proud to have played this game with him.’

SIMIC: ‘We wanted to win today, but didn’t manage to do it. We played pretty well in the first half, even if it was an unusual game because it was Billy’s farewell game and that made everyone really emotional. I really admire Billy, he’s had an amazing career.’ Then about Athens: ‘We have been preparing for this game since after Bologna. We are thinking about that game alone, about the Champions League final… the most beautiful game, a game that every player would like to play.’

A.C. Milan - ROSSONERI PRIDE AND JOY

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OPTIMAL CONDITION
5/19/2007 9:27:00 PM
Carlo Ancelotti acknowledges that today was Billy’s day and the coach confirmed that the team are in optimal physical condition

Here is what coach Carlo Ancelotti had to say after Milan-Udinese:

‘This was Billy Costacurta’s day and he deserved it all. It is always really emotional when a great champion retires. I am very happy for him. It was a great celebration. It is a farewell to playing football, but Billy will remain here with us and will make a great contribution. He will do well in this side of things as well. I wanted him in the staff. He has acquired a strong understanding that can be useful for next year's players. It is a legacy that Milan must take advantage of. The penalty? He was the one designated to take it. He had some second thoughts about taking the penalty, but it is understandable. When you play your last game at home it is always special.’

A.C. Milan - OPTIMAL CONDITION

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SALUTING A TRUE LEGEND
5/19/2007 8:00:00 PM
Alessandro Costacurta said his final farewell as a player after over 20 years of loyal service but a new career as a Milan coach now awaits

This isn't really good-bye. This is 27 season and 23 trophies won. This is the first page of another story in the brilliant career of Billy Costacurta.

He took his last trip around the field and now we can open up the boxes of memories and mementos that have become the Costacurta story. It is a story about a champion that has become part of what Milan stand for with his class, intelligence, strength and sensibility.

There is no reason to be sad because Alessandro Costacurta represents the perfect continuity of Milan, a champion who will switch from the player's jersey to the coach's jacket, but it will still be the same colours. It will still be red and black and he will continue to give as much as he has always given to this side. There is no doubt about that. Carlo Ancelotti and Mauro Tassotti will have another card up their sleeve with Billy at their side, an extraordinary professional who has always given the utmost attention to order and discipline, who has always been a point of reference within the team. Professor Billy's voice will still echo through the Rossoneri grounds, as weighty and decisive as it always was.

BILLY'S DEBUTS

Serie A: 25/20/1987 Verona-Milan 0-1
European Cup: 7/09/1988 Vitocha Sofia-Milan 0-2
Italian Cup: 24/08/1986 Milan-Sambenedettese 1-0

BILLY'S AWARDS WITH MILAN

1989 Winner of the European Super Cup
1990 Winner of the European Super Cup
1995 Winner of the European Super Cup
2003 Winner of the European Super Cup

1989 Winner of the Champions League
1990 Winner of the Champions League
1994 Winner of the Champions League
2003 Winner of the Champions League

1989 Winner of the World Club Championship
1990 Winner of the World Club Championship

1988 Winner of the Italian Super Cup
1992 Winner of the Italian Super Cup
1993 Winner of the Italian Super Cup
1994 Winner of the Italian Super Cup
2004 Winner of the Italian Super Cup

1988 Italian Championship
1992 Italian Championship
1993 Italian Championship
1994 Italian Championship
1996 Italian Championship
1999 Italian Championship
2004 Italian Championship

2003 Winner of the Italian Cup

1993 Finalist in the World Club Championship
1994 Finalist in the World Club Championship
2003 Finalist in the World Club Championship

1993 Finalist in the Champions League
1995 Finalist in the Champions League
2005 Finalist in the Champions League

A.C. Milan - SALUTING A TRUE LEGEND

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MILAN EMOTIONS FOR BILLY
5/19/2007 8:36:00 PM
Alessandro Costacurta received a standing ovation on his farewell match in Milan's last game of the season at the San Siro against Udinese

(BILLY COSTACURTA SALUTES THE SAN SIRO)

Milan lost their last home league game of the season but more importantly it was an opportunity for the San Siro to bid farewell to Billy Costacurta on his retirement from professional football and give the players who will be playing in the Champions League final in Athens the perfect send-off.

'The Professor' was visibly moved as he walked out before kick-off along with his young son Achille, but once the ceremonies were over it was down to action. Milan went behind to Gyan Asamoah's header on 10 minutes but the Rossoneri were level on 36 minutes when Yoann Gourcuff scored his first goal in Serie A. The French midfielder was on hand to finish off from close range after the ball rolled across the face of the goal.


(YOANN CELEBRATES HIS GOAL)

During the half-time interval, Ricky Kakà received the Silver Ball from USSI for his services to sport.

However, Costacurta's big moment was to come on 57 minutes when he slotted home a penalty following a tug on Gourcuff's shirt. Udinese had gone ahead once again, this time through Antonio Di Natale, but Billy was as cool as you like from the spot as he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way. That moment also heralded the opportunity for the public to stand and applaud the defender's services to the club down through the years. Coach Carlo Ancelotti also used the occasion to bring Billy off and there was a wonderful moment as the two embraced on the touchline.

Udinese spoilt the party somewhat, with the winner from Barreto but there was no getting away from the fact that it was Costacurta's day and there was another emotional moment at the final whistle when the stars who will take the pitch in Athens came on wearing Costacurta number five shirts.

(CIAO BILLY!)

A.C. Milan - MILAN EMOTIONS FOR BILLY

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Costacurta: Grazie Milan!
Saturday 19 May, 2007
Alessandro ‘Billy’ Costacurta has thanked the club and fans for his emotional farewell game at San Siro.

“It’s a wonderful day and I am very grateful to everyone for this celebration. I have to thank the club, my teammates and my family,” said the 41-year-old defender.

His career with the Rossoneri lasted 27 years right from the youth system and will continue, as he is to become an assistant manager to Carlo Ancelotti along with current right-hand man Mauro Tassotti.

“I’ve always thought you have to dedicate yourself fully to a job and so in my new work I won’t have time to think about my playing days,” he added.

“About two weeks ago I was told that Carlo wanted me to stay with him in the Coaching staff. It was very pleasing and I am happy to take on this new role.

“There were many different options open to me after retirement, but my priority was to remain at Milan.”

Costacurta scored a goal in his final match, converting a penalty in the 3-2 home defeat to Udinese, as Milan fielded a reserve team ahead of the Champions League Final with Liverpool.

After the final whistle all the players – including those in the stands – came down on to the field wearing Costacurta’s Number 5 jersey.

They also gave the veteran ‘The Bumps’ in the centre circle and he did a lap of honour saluting the fans.

The legend made his Serie A debut for the side in a 1-0 win at Verona on October 25, 1987 and won a total of 23 trophies with the club.

He has notched up seven Scudetti, four European Cups, two Intercontinental Cups, four European Super Cups, five Italian Super Cups and the Coppa Italia.

channel4.com - Football Italia

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acmilan.com's photos:


acmilan.com's splash page


"THANK YOU BILLY, A TRUE FLAG" (in the sense of "standard bearer", etc.)

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AP/Reuters/etc. photos:


Billy and son (Achille) at the beginning of the match.






Still badass, after all these years.


Celebrating Gourcuff's goal.


The penalty!


CELEBRATE!!






The Milan starting 11 watches from the stands. Kaka and Kalac were there too; maybe others as well. Seeing them there was very moving, especially when the match ended and Pippo was among the first in the audience to turn his applause into a standing ovation.


Once teammates, now coaches...


After the game, the Milan guys who watched from the stands all rushed the field in matching Costacurta jerseys.


Billy thrown up in the air after the match. They didn't show this on GolTV, I need to go find it on YouTube.








All the players had the Billy farewell tribute "M 2007" on their jerseys today. Looks like the M design is taken from his tattoo. Very nice.


Ci si vede...




GRAZIE BILLY!!!

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The Gazzetta gave him a 7, man of the match, and noted that "for his career he deserves a 10". The Milan first team came out all wearing Costacurta shirts to toss him in the air at the end. When you've played for the same club for 27 years, you deserve no less.

But there is a story in this morning's Gazzetta that makes me think even more of the guy. Rather than a star-studded "farewell" match, he has invited 30 of his friends to play at San Siro on Friday night: his butcher, his baker, the guys he has bought gas and newspapers from for 20 years, his tax accountant, etc. Legendary.

[Forza_Roma]

Nice photos...although i watch a good 20-30 minutes of this game and the commentator didn't mention him. Honestly, i forgot that it was his last game...but glad he got a nice celebration and Milan did it in class! Lot of respect they have for him! Great Career Billy

[Aladino]

Costacurta signs off at San Siro
Sunday, 20 May 2007
by Paolo Menicucci
from Milan

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Reflecting on the 3-0 defeat by AC Milan in the return leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final, Manchester United FC manager Sir Alex Ferguson said. "The biggest difference was the level of experience and you gain that by keeping the same team for many years as Milan have done." Alessandro Costacurta, who played his home game in the Rossoneri shirt on Saturday after 20 seasons, can surely confirm the words of the Scotsman.

'Great contribution'
As many other players have done in the past, the 41-year-old Costacurta will continue to work for Milan also after hanging up his boots. He will become an assistant manager to coach Carlo Ancelotti alongside another former Rossoneri legend Mauro Tassotti. "He will give a great contribution with all his experience," Ancelotti said. "We will be a very good trio." The defender was celebrated in style on Saturday after the 3-2 home defeat by Udinese Calcio in which he also scored only the third goal of his Serie A career.

'Fantastic day'
After the final whistle all the players – including those in the stands – entered the pitch wearing Costacurta's No5. Then the defender did a lap of honour before getting the bumps by his colleagues. "It was a fantastic day and I am very grateful to everyone for this celebration. I thank the club, my team-mates and my family," he said. "I've always thought you have to dedicate yourself fully to a job and so in my new work I won't have time to think about my playing days. I will enter the coaching staff and I am happy to take on this new role. I had many different options open, but my priority was to stay at Milan. This is a big family."

Legendary defence
During his career Costacurta played 59 games for Italy scoring two goals and taking part in the 1994 – when Italy finished as runners-up - and 1998 FIFA World Cups as well as EURO '96™ but his successes came mostly with Milan. Alongside Tassotti, Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini, Costacurta formed one of the best back-lines in the history of football under coaches Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello.

Curtain closed
After making his debut in a 1-0 win at Hellas-Verona FC in October 1987, he won a total of 23 trophies with the club, included seven Scudetti, four European Champion Clubs' Cups, two European/South American Cups, four UEFA Super Cups, five Italian Super Cups and the Coppa Italia. After 458 games in Serie A and 660 in total, putting him third in the all-time Milan appearance standings, 'l'invincibile' Costacurta, a real Milan legend, has finally closed the curtains on his wonderful career.

GRAZIE BILLY!