A.C. Milan did not defend their European Cup title for a second consecutive time. The second place in Serie A was the fourth consecutive season when Milan finished inside the top three of the league. The loss in the European Cup quarter-finals rendered a first trophyless season since 1987, which resulted in Arrigo Sacchi leaving his job to take over the national team, being replaced by ex-Juventus and AC Milan midfielder Fabio Capello.