The 1996-97 campaign was a dramatic, tumultuous season of transition for the Rossoneri, as the reigning champions spectacularly fell to an 11th-place finish in Serie A, narrowly avoiding a complete crisis. Amid managerial turmoil that saw Oscar Tabarez replaced by the legendary Arrigo Sacchi, the squad, featuring icons like Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, and Roberto Baggio, struggled for consistent form. The brightest sparks came from the indomitable George Weah, whose 13 league goals anchored the attack, including his unforgettable 'coast-to-coast' solo masterpiece on the opening day. This infamous season, which included a shocking 1-6 home defeat to rivals Juventus, marked the final season for club captain Baresi and Mauro Tassotti, concluding a golden era for the club.