In 1995, football watched something rare and beautiful unfold. Ajax, after a hibernation of more than 20 years following their Johan Cruyff–inspired three-peat in the early 1970s, returned to the summit of European football in glorious fashion.

Between 1988 and 1994, backed by Silvio Berlusconi, AC Milan built one of club football’s greatest dynasties, shaped first by Arrigo Sacchi and later refined by Fabio Capello.

Liverpool’s 1987/88 season feels like a love letter to a different era of football. After finishing runners-up to Everton the year before, Liverpool returned with purpose, storming back to the summit under Kenny Dalglish.