Grimsby Town boss David Artell compared his side’s defensive structure in their win over Gillingham to the legendary AC Milan side that won back-to-back European Cups in 1989 and 1990.
The Mariners beat the League Two leaders 1-0 on Tuesday to record a third successive win.
Arrigo Sacchi’s Milan side, featuring players including Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Paolo Maldini, conceded only 14 goals in 30 games as they won the Serie A title in 1987-88 and earned themselves the nickname “the Immortals”.
“I thought we controlled the game without the ball. Our keeper hasn’t had a save to make,” he told BBC Radio Humberside.
“Our shape and work-rate was outstanding, it was like watching AC Milan under Arrigo Sacchi at one point.
“The players deserve a huge amount of credit for carrying out the gameplan.”
Victory in Kent made them the first team to beat the Gills at home since Crawley on Boxing Day last year.
It rounded off an excellent few days for the team after they scored a late winner to beat Carlisle 3-2 on Saturday.
Artell had special praise for the travelling fans who had made the six-and-a-half-hour round trip to Cumbria at the weekend and the eight-hour journey to Gillingham and back in four days.
“The fans, wow,” he said.
“I hope they go home as happy as I am at the minute. Anybody who has been to both games deserves a huge medal… Anyone who has been to one game deserves a huge medal.
“We’re certainly not going to get back to about five in the morning so we know the commitment and we understand.
“To have nearly 400 people here, that’s some effort. I just want to thank them for believing in the players and loving the football club like we all do.”
