August 31, 2003. The first matchday of the new Serie A season.
San Siro thundered before kickoff. The seats glowed with red and black banners. Songs filled the warm Milanese night as 80,000 voices roared in unison.
Luca Bellini sat on the bench, his eyes locked on the tunnel. His heart beat slow, like his system had taught him — calm, focused. He could smell the grass. Hear the chants.
He wasn't starting. But he was here.
And that meant everything.
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🎙️ TV Commentary — Channel RAI Sport
> "Welcome to the opening night of the Serie A season here at the iconic San Siro! AC Milan, reigning European giants, begin their league campaign at home against newly promoted Ancona."
"All eyes on the Rossoneri's fearsome defense, as well as the debut season of a young backup defender, Luca Bellini — only 19, and already the talk of Milanello."
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🟩 AC MILAN Starting XI (4-3-1-2)
Manager: Carlo Ancelotti
GK: Dida
RB: Cafu
CB: Alessandro Nesta
CB: Paolo Maldini (C)
LB: Pancaro
CM: Gennaro Gattuso
CM: Andrea Pirlo
CM: Clarence Seedorf
CAM: Kaká
ST: Andriy Shevchenko
ST: Filippo Inzaghi
Bench: Abbiati, Costacurta, Serginho, Ambrosini, Rui Costa, Tomasson, Bellini
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🟥 ANCONA Starting XI (4-4-2)
Manager: Luigi Simoni
GK: Alessio Scarpi
RB: Domenico Cristiano
CB: Dario Dainelli
CB: Emanuele Pesaresi
LB: Marco Milanese
RM: Francesco Brienza
CM: Roberto Baronio
CM: Mario Bacci
LM: Marco Zanchi
ST: Davor Vugrinec
ST: Fabio Vignaroli
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The whistle blew.
The first few minutes were frantic. Gattuso set the tone early with a crunching tackle. Seedorf and Pirlo danced in midfield. Kaká glided like a violinist, threading through lines. And Luca sat — watching everything.
He wasn't nervous. But he was hungry.
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> "Ten minutes in and Milan look dominant in possession," the commentator noted. "Kaká looks as if he's been here for years. A perfect through ball to Shevchenko—OH! Just wide!"
"Meanwhile, young Bellini sits patiently on the bench, observing. Rumor has it he studies games like a coach in training — carrying a notebook like an old philosopher."
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Luca's eyes darted across the field. He saw movement before others did. He whispered instructions under his breath, mimicking what he'd do. When the ball turned over, he followed the shape of the defense.
A tap on his shoulder — Kaká stood nearby during a water break.
"You look like you're solving a crime," he said.
"I'm tracking habits."
"Of Ancona?"
"Of everyone."
Kaká grinned. "You're mad. But I like it."
---
By halftime, Milan led 1–0. Shevchenko's glancing header from a Pirlo free kick had sent the curva wild.
But as the players returned to the locker room, Luca stayed quiet, blending into the background.
Maldini sat beside him and looked over without smiling.
"You'll get minutes soon," he said.
Luca nodded.
Maldini added, "We don't give those minutes away. You earn them. But you've earned your silence already."
It was the highest praise the captain had ever given.
---
The second half began with fire. Ancona came out aggressive, winning early corners. Dida made a point-blank save that rattled the crossbar.
Then, in the 62nd minute — Nesta stretched to stop a counterattack and winced. He waved toward the bench.
Ancelotti didn't hesitate.
He turned to his assistant, then looked straight at Luca.
"You're on. Stay compact. Communicate."
Luca's heart pounded. Not with fear — with focus.
He peeled off his bib, slipped on his jersey, and jogged to the sideline.
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> "Substitution for AC Milan — off comes Alessandro Nesta, and onto the pitch comes number 13… Luca Bellini. This is the Serie A debut of a young man that the staff at Milanello have quietly raved about."
"He'll partner Maldini now — a rare chance to play beside the legend. What a moment for the 19-year-old."
---
Luca stood beside Maldini for the first time in a real match.
"Talk to me," Maldini said. "And don't hide."
The game resumed.
Immediately, Ancona pressed with a long diagonal to the back post. Luca tracked Vugrinec, reading his eyes. As the ball dropped, Luca leapt, timed it perfectly, and headed it clear — clean, no panic.
Maldini didn't say anything.
He didn't need to.
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> "Bellini with a strong aerial clearance on his first touch of the match. Calm under pressure. Exactly what Milan need with Nesta off the pitch."
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Minutes later, Ancona surged again. A deflected shot fell toward Vignaroli in the six-yard box — but Luca threw his body in, blocking it with his thigh before rolling to his feet like a spring.
The crowd roared. He felt it shake through his boots.
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Milan countered. In the 79th minute, Kaká danced through midfield and slipped a ball into Inzaghi's path — goal. 2–0.
The bench exploded. Luca jogged back to his position, barely reacting.
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> "And that's the dagger! Kaká with the vision, Inzaghi with the finish, and Milan look set to open the season with all three points."
"But let's not overlook the calm, composed debut of Bellini — a young center-back who's already looked like he belongs."
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As the final whistle blew, Luca exhaled for the first time in minutes. His shirt was soaked. His legs were tight. But his heart felt light.
The players embraced. Kaká rushed over and hugged him, practically lifting him off the ground.
"You're ice, man! Cold blood!"
Maldini shook his hand on the way off the field. "Well done."
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In the locker room, Luca sat for a moment, letting the noise wash over him. He took out his notebook, his hand trembling slightly as he wrote:
> Serie A Debut — August 31, 2003
Replaced Nesta (62')
Aerial win (x3), blocks (x2), positioning decent
Felt fast — but clear.
Maldini trusted me.
I didn't blink.> Final Score: AC Milan 2 – Ancona 0
Goals: Shevchenko (23'), Inzaghi (79')
Start of the fire.
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Outside the stadium, as fans poured into the Milan night, Luca waited by the staff exit. His phone buzzed.
Sofia: Saw the game. Block in the 68th was insane. You breathe yet?
Luca smiled.
Luca: Just now. Want to hear about it in person?
Sofia: When have I ever said no to that?
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And so the season began — under lights, under pressure, under legends.
And Luca Bellini… was ready.