The squad had a promising start of league campaign defeating
Sampdoria (2–1),
SS Lazio (2–4) and
Inter (1–3) at
San Siro. However, superstar
Luigi Riva is injured at minute 76 on 31 October 1970 playing a
Euro 1972 qualification match against Austria (2–1) by Austrian Defender
Norbert Hof. The club transferred in Forward
Giampaolo Menichelli, resulting in a flop only playing 8 matches without goal. Riva did not make a comeback to the squad until Spring with the team collapsed to a disappointing 7th place. The season is best remembered by the club debut on the
European Cup. In first round the squad defeated the French franchise
AS Saint-Étienne with a global score of 3–1. In eightfinals the team won his first leg against
Atlético Madrid by 2–1. For the second leg of the series at Manzanares, the club without
Gigi Riva lost the match 3-0 being eliminated from the tournament. In Coppa Italia the team surprisingly was early eliminated on first round after losing the first grupo match against
Livorno in spite of two consecutive victories. The club left the
Stadio Amsicora after 50 years, replaced it by
Stadio Sant'Elia on 12 September 1970. In spite of the chaotic campaign,
Eraldo Mancin became starter; Brazilian Nenè delivered a decent season, with 30 matches played no-replaced. Also,
Angelo Domenghini, played at high-level during the entire season. ==Squad==