Parma and Juventus are well known amongst Italian football fans and the two side’s fortunes have wildly varied since the glory days of the 1990s. Juventus have basked in glory, amassing a vast domestic trophy haul and becoming one of the most feared sides in Europe. Parma have had a far less successful period but have slowly turned things around, establishing themselves over the past two seasons in the top flight.
Juventus have dominated Italian football the past decade securing multiple Scudetto titles and Coppa Italia triumphs. The 1990s were another stellar decade for the Turin based side securing numerous major honors including a Champions League trophy.
The man responsible for guiding the Bianconeri to these triumphs was famous coach Marcello Lippi. Regarded as one of the best managers ever, Lippi molded Juventus into a tight knit unit that played dynamic football.
Heralded coming out of Naples, Lippi was tasked with bringing trophies to Juventus and his first season in 1994-95 would only serve to underline his managerial prowess.
Parma secured promotion to Serie A in 1990 and wasted no time in challenging for major honors. Led by former Italian international Nevio Scala and backed by investment parent company Parmalat, the side set about building a team to compete with the likes of Milan and Juventus.
In came players like Gianfranco Zola, Thomas Brolin, Faustino Asprilla and Dino Baggio over a successful six-year period for the club where Scala led the side to its first major football honors.
The 1994-95 season though was one of the best for Italian sides, with hosts of stars playing across the league at the top of their game.
Parma and Juventus went toe to toe throughout the season vying across three fronts in the League, Coppa Italia and of course the UEFA Cup.
As the season drew to a close the big games came thick and fast and the two sides would meet each other in two pivotal games within the space of four days, the UEFA Cup Final and a crunch league tie that would go a long way to deciding the champions.
First up though was the UEFA Cup Final.
This was the Crociati’s third major European final of the ’90s only serving to underline how far the team had come from the lower leagues after securing promotion to the top flight in 1990. At this time, the UEFA Cup Final was a double headed affair and Parma held a slim advantage over their season rivals, a 1-0 win at home with the goal coming from Dino Baggio lining up against his more famous namesake Roberto.
The second leg took place on the 17th May at the Stadio Meazza (San Siro, to some of you) instead of the Delle Alpi in Turin. Juventus were box office billing and attracted vast crowds wherever they went but seemed to aggravate the landlord of their own home ground where they could not get the same level of attendance.
This change of environment did not seem to effect the Bianconeri who attacked from the very first whistle, boasting the devastating attacking trident of Roberto Baggio, Fabrizio Ravanelli, and Gianluca Vialli.
For all their early endeavor, Juventus did not make the breakthrough till shortly after the half hour mark, drawing level in the tie when Vialli volleyed past goalkeeper Luca Bucci after latching onto a long ball over the top of the Parma defense.
The second half began in the same vain with Parma’s defence standing resolute and blocking any attempts on goal. Then the killer moment arrived. Dino Baggio, the hero of the first leg drew his side level with a fine diving header at the back post.
This roused Juventus to launch an assault on the Parma goal for the remaining 30 minutes. The defense was outstanding, led by Fernando Couto and Lorenzo Minotti; they repelled everything Juventus had to offer holding on until the final whistle to seal the trophy 2-1 on aggregate.
The turnaround was short before battle recommenced at the Delle Alpi on the Sunday, with the fate of the league on the line. Unlike previous gripes over attendance, the stadium was full to the rafters with fans in hyperbolic mood.
This time, Juventus set out to ensure there was no repeat of their European defeat starting quickly taking the lead in the 10th minute through striker Fabrizio Ravanelli. “White Feather,” as he was nicknamed, latched onto a superb through ball from Roberto Baggio, heading the ball into his path as he sped towards goal. As Massimo Susic of Parma gained on the striker, he dragged the ball inside using his right foot to create a yard of space, then swung his left foot to send the ball flying into the bottom right-hand corner to send the crowd wild.
Unlike the previous encounter, Juventus made sure they scored the second crucial goal and this arrived just before half time after another masterful sequence of play from Baggio. A poor touch from Zola in midfield led to a quick breakaway with the ball fed into Ravanelli, who threaded a pass into the path of Baggio.
The Divin Codino had made a lightning quick burst from the left hand to the right side of the box and, with close attention from center-back Roberto Mussi, he shielded the ball, waiting for Didier Deschamps to time his run into the box to join him. Timed to perfection, Baggio played a back-heel pass into space for the French midfielder to strike home a left footed shot into the right-hand corner again.
This was to be the deciding goal of the game as Parma failed to find a way back into the game. As Juventus controlled the remaining play taking the side to victory and upon the final whistle, the pitch was flooded with players and staff alike to celebrate their triumph, laying the foundation for which further triumphs would follow.
The two sides have followed wildly different paths over the years. Parma are unlikely to repeat the successes of yesteryear anytime soon, but they will still always be able to look back fondly on the glory years of the 1990s.