He lacks the cold cynicism of the penalty area predator, but the Dutch ace has much more.

Dancer’s feet on a cuirassier’s physique, he often deceives roaring defenses, moving gracefully only to finish in any manner—head, right foot, left foot, bicycle kick.

An absolute virtuoso both inside and outside the box, Marco van Basten is much more than the classic center-forward; he endures Sacchi’s mad discipline with difficulty, his Dutch spirit coming out crushed, destroyed, for a swan must be free and not caged.

What a regret!