Rossoneri Advent Calendar Day 9: Filippo Inzaghi and the Offside Line

Filippo Inzaghi joined AC Milan from Juventus in 2001 and went on to redefine the role of no. 9 target men in the sport. Inzaghi was famously notorious for toying with the offside line and having the positional excellence to wrong foot defenders earning enough space to slot home to become the 4th highest Champions League goalscorer and the 7th highest scorer in Italy. He managed to win two Scudetti, two Champions Leagues and a Coppa Italia. He also managed to win the World Cup with Italy in 2006 as a Rossoneri.

Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images

Pippo Inzaghi is one of Milan's cult heroes, it's hard to find anyone who didn't take immense pleasure every single time he found the back of the net. Inzaghi always worked hard and gave his 100% for the team and each time he celebrated, he did so with unbelievable heart. He managed to get his revenge over his former employers in the 2002-03 UCL final when Milan beat Juventus as his replacement David Trezeguet missed the penalty. Inzaghi succeeded with Milan as a result of his versatility and ability to both play off and play for his strike partner. His famous run came with Shevchenko and the duo were magical, over the years he adapted to accommodate the likes of Alberto Gilardino, Ronaldo and Alexandre Pato. Inzaghi was one of the few strikers who was able to sacrifice himself for the betterment of the team whilst maintaining his killer instinct, not a day goes by that it doesn't hurt to see unworthy figures wear Pippo's no.9.

Achievements with Milan

• Serie A: 2003–04, 2010–11
• UEFA Champions League: 2002–03, 2006–07
• Coppa Italia: 2002–03
• UEFA Super Cup: 2003, 2007
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2007

Top Highlight

Milan got their revenge over Liverpool in the 2007 UCL Final in Athens and Pippo led the charge. Inzaghi scored his stereotypical brace off a deflection from Andrea Pirlo's cross and then a sultry roll in after boosting himself past the keeper. A brilliant display for Milan's 2-1 and their 7th UCL Title. Watch the highlights of the game here or below.