Parma 3-1 Rangers (4-2) UEFA Cup Last 16 Second Leg 08th December 1998 Parma’s credible 1-1 draw at Ibrox seemed to give their season the shot in the arm it needed as it sparked an eight-game undefeated streak. In-between the Rangers ties Parma impressively dismantled Alberto Zaccheroni’s AC Milan side 4-0, before comfortably seeing off Sampdoria 2-0 in Genoa. Meanwhile in Scotland Rangers, struggled to a 1-1 draw at home to Dunfermline before heading to Italy, making it three games without a win for Dick Advocaat. Parma, who hadn’t lost at home in Europe for four years started the brighter. Rangers were forced on the back foot early on with Balbo squandering a good chance of giving Parma the lead in the sixth minute. Fabio Cannavaro played a long ball in from the right and Chiesa flicked it on only for Balbo to steer it wide of the post. Rangers gave Chiesa too much room and the Finnish goalkeeper Antti Niemi twice had to scramble the ball away from the striker's feet. Despite Parma’s good start, Rangers shocked their opponents by taking the lead against the run of play in the 29th minute when Roberto Sensini carelessly lost possession to Albertz. The German midfielder took the ball on and delivered a low strike into the corner of Buffon’s goal to put Rangers 1-0 up on the day and 2-1 ahead on aggregate. Parma received a huge shot in the arm as the half drew to a close, When Sergio Porrini picked up his first yellow card in the 44th minute with a lunge on Veron. Then came his dismissal a minute later, leaving Rangers manager Advocaat furious. Just two minutes after the restart Parma were level. Juan Sebastian Veron had the beating of Giovanni van Bronckhorst, his cross found Chiesa at the back post who nodded it down for Balbo to finish from close range. Parma were soon in front, substitute Stefano Fiore let fly from the edge of the box, with his half volley leaving Antti Niemi no chance in the Rangers goal. Fiore had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes after replacing Alain Boghossian. Parma soon made it three goals in 20 minutes as Enrico Chiesa put the tie to bed. A moment of madness from Lorenzo Amoruso gifted Parma a penalty. The Italian defender inexplicably punched the ball clear of Chiesa who was about to get on the end of Fiore’s pass, Amoruso’s poor positioning forced him into the mistake. Cool as you like Chiesa passed the ball past Niemi, sending Parma into the quarter finals with a comfortable 4-2 aggregate win. Parma: Buffon, Thuram, Sensini, Cannavaro, Fuser (Mussi, 84), Baggio, Boghossain (Fiore 56), Bennarivo, Veron, Balbo, Chiesa (Crespo, 74). Substitutes not used: Nista (gk), Vanoli, Orlandini, Giunti. Rangers: Niemi, Porrini, Hendry, Amoruso, Numan, Albertz, B. Ferguson (Miller, 81), I Ferguson, Van Bronckhorst, Wallace (Amato 73), Durie (Vidmar, 54). Substitutes not used: Brown (gk), Stensaas, Wilson, Kanchelskis.
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Rangers 1-1 Parma 24th November 1998 UEFA Cup Last 16 First Leg Having seen off Wisla Krakow in the second round of the UEFA Cup, Parma faced much stiffer opposition in the form of Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers in the last 16. Alberto Malesani and his side had three weeks to prepare for the tough trip to Govan. However, the Parma coach just couldn’t find a consistent formula. The Parma tactician faced the same problems in his preparations, first a draw away to Bari before hammering Perugia 4-1 at home, however Parma would face defeat in Sardinia as Mohamed Kallon’s strike gave Cagliari all three points, sending Parma to Scotland with a lot on their mind. Parma were not the only one’s with a lot to think about before the trip to Ibrox. Dick Advocaat’s side had just been humbled by the hoops as champions and bitter rivals Celtic annihilated them 5-1 just three days before welcoming Parma to Glasgow. Malesani made three changes to the side that lost to Cagliari at the weekend, Luigi Sartor, Mario Stanic and Abel Balbo all came in while Roberto Mussi and Enrico Chiesa missed out, Stefano Fiore had to do with a place on the bench. Despite the hostile home crowd, Parma got off to an excellent start, with Rangers still reeling from their weekend embarrassment. Hernan Crespo had the first real chance of the game after 14 minutes, but Antti Niemi kept the Argentine at bay. Moments later Crespo’s fellow countryman Juan Sebastian Veron fired over after being set up by Mario Stanic. It took the home side until the half hour mark to be of any threat to Gianluigi Buffon’s goal, when Andrei Kanchelskis fired wide from a Rod Wallace pass. As the half drew to a close Buffon was finally called upon as he comfortably kept out Ian Ferguson’s long-range effort. Dick Advocaat was looking for a second half reaction from his side, the Dutchman replaced the ineffective Jonatan Johansson with Gabriel Amato. The change seemed to spark some life into Rangers, as they started the brighter in the second half. Parma had Buffon to thank for keeping the scores level as he pushed away a Jorg Albertz thunderbolt. The expectant Ibrox crowd were soon silenced though as in the 51st minute Abel Balbo gave Parma the lead. Veron slipped a neat ball through to Crespo who’s shot was kept out by Niemi, but the rebound fell to Balbo to easily fire home from close range. Just moments later, Niemi was beaten again however Colin Hendry desperately recovered to keep out Crespo’s effort which would see the Scotsman collide with the post. Hendry recovered and was able to continue, with him playing a key role in the equaliser, his header from an Albertz cross was nodded down to Rod Wallace, with 20 minutes left the former Leeds United striker made no mistake in beating Buffon. Ibrox was rocking and Rangers could smell blood as they pressed for a winner. Soon after the equaliser Parma hearts were in their mouths as Gabriel Amato went down in the box after colliding with Luigi Sartor, the Parma defender was lucky to see French referee, Alain Sars wave play on though. Both teams had chances to win it at the death, Gordon Durie missed a golden opportunity to give Rangers a lead to take to Italy before Anti Niemi kept out Stefano Fiore in injury time to ensure the tie ended 1-1 and firmly in the balance before the return clash at the Tardini. Parma XI Buffon, Benarrivo, Sartor, Baggio, Crespo (86), Veron (69), Stanic, Boghossian, Cannavaro, Balbo, Thuram. Substitutes Guardelben, Pedros, Giunti, Sensini, Orlandini (86), Fiore (69), Vanoli. Alberto Malesani Rangers XI Niemi, Porrini (57), Amoruso, Numan, Ferguson, Kanchelskis, Albertz, Ferguson, Wallace, Johansson (46), Hendry. Substitutes Brown, Durie (57), Amato (46), Stensaas, Wilson, Vidman, Miller. Dick Advocaat Parma 2-1 Wisla Krakow (3-2) UEFA CUP Round 2 Second Leg 3rd November 1998 Parma’s inconsistent start to the season continued after a tough fought draw in Poland. Despite defeat to Perugia, Hernan Crespo inspired a 2-0 win at home to Fiorentina, giving Alberto Malesani’s side some confidence before welcoming the Polish opposition to the Tardini. Parma were forced into two changes from the side that beat Fiorentina, Malesani had to do without Crespo, as Abel Balbo came in to replace the hero against Fiorentina. While Roberto Mussi replaced Diego Fuser. Parma flew out the traps, and took the lead within the first 20 minutes, Roberto Mussi broke down Parma’s right hand side, cutting the ball back to Chiesa, the Italians shot was blocked with the rebound falling do Stefano Fiore to hammer home from the edge of the box with a wonderful volley. The home side were in complete control of the tie after Fiore’s strike, with Wisla offering very little as the half went on. The tie was well and truly put to bed inside the first minute of the restart. Juan Sebastian Veron caught the Wisla defence sleeping as his freekick picked out Alian Boghossian at the far post, the Frenchman drilled his shot across goal, deflecting off Bogdan Zajac making it 2-0 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate. Zajac would get the chance to redeem himself as the game drew to a close, Parma once again in Europe were struggling with set-pieces, as Zajac found himself in acres of space to slot past Buffon, the muted celebrations told its own story, it was too little too late for Wisla. Parma now faced a mouth-watering trip to Scotland, to face Dick Advocaat’s Rangers in the third round, with the Govan side impressively seeing off German side Bayer Leverkusen in round two. Wisla Krakow 1 – 1 Parma UEFA CUP Round 2 First Leg 20th October 1998 The games were coming thick and fast for Malesani and Parma. After successfully seeing off Juventus and Fenerbache, Parma had to prepare themselves for the short trip to Bologna to negotiate a Derby dell’Emilia, before heading off to Poland for round two of the UEFA Cup to face Wisla Krakow. Parma’s inconsistent start to the season continued in Bologna, another frustrating 0-0 draw, would see them record their third goalless stalemate of the season. Three draws out of the opening four rounds, firing yet another blank in the league was surly causing concern for Malesani. Despite Parma’s lack of goals this season, the Italian tactician kept the faith with Hernan Crespo and Enrico Chiesa to lead the line in Poland. Parma also welcomed back from European suspension Fabio Cannavaro and Dino Baggio while Alian Boghossian and Antonio Benarrivo made way for Nestor Sensini and Paolo Vanoli. The coach’s faith was rewarded when after just two minutes on the clock Enrico Chiesa gave Parma the dream start. A Juan Sebastian Veron corner found Chiesa, who’s glancing header at the front post got the better of Artur Sarnat in the Krakow goal to give the visitors an early lead. Despite the early advantage, Parma were looking increasingly uncomfortable playing in what can only be described as a farmers field. The host were unlucky not be level, a fine stop by Buffon in the Parma goal kept the score at 0-1. With Parma unable to get control of the ball due to the unpredictable pitch, Krakow were mounting more pressure, this time Buffon was beaten but has the upright to thank for Parma’s lead staying intact. The home fans smelled blood as they began peppering the Parma goal with shot after shot. Despite the intense pressure, Parma had the chance to put the game and tie to bed as Dino Baggio broke with just Sarnat to beat, Baggio fluffed his lines and his weak effort was kept out by the Polish goalkeeper as the first half drew to a close. Parma were forced into a change that would see Hernan Crespo leave the field just after half time to be replaced by Abel Balbo. It was Crespo’s strike partner Chiesa who was Parma’s main threat, twice stinging the gloves of Sarnat early in the second half. Cross balls proved to be Parma’s weakness in the first round against Fenerbache, that was the case once again in Poland. A deflected cross saw the ball spin high in the air, Thuram and Sensini were panicking as Tomasz Frankowski got between them to head the ball down to Tomasz Kulawik who fired past Buffon to square the game up with 20 minutes remining. Rattled Parma were lucky to get back to Italy with a draw, the had the brilliance of Buffon to thank as Krakow went after a deserved winner. Parma and Malesani, were delighted to get out of Poland on an awful pitch with a draw and a vital away goal. Just five days after returning from Turkey, Alberto Malesani’s side were on the road again. Match day two in Serie A would see the gialloblu head to the picturesque surroundings of Venezia. However, Parma’s woes in front of goal were to continue as they recorded their second 0-0 of the season, now three games with out a goal. Three days before Joachin Low confident Fenerbache side rocked up to the Tardini, Malesani was given a huge shot in the arm. Playing Juventus at home before a big European night might not be seen as ideal preparation, but for Malesani it set his Parma side up perfectly. Dino Baggio’s 47th minute strike was enough to secure all three points against bitter rivals Juventus and Parma’s season was finally up and running. The charismatic Parma boss rang the changes form the first leg. Just five of the side that started in Turkey would start in start the second leg. Shot shy Parma were delighted to have back a fully fit and ready to go Hernan Crespo lead the line. The Tardini was jam packed as smoke filled the vocal Curva Nord. Parma as expected started on the front foot, with Crespo and Asprilla combining well early on. Despite the home sides encouraging early play they had to be alert of Moldovan and Baljic again, as the two ran Parma ragged in the first leg. Juan Sebastian Veron’s calming influence and creative talents were clearly missed in the first leg. The Argentine was controlling the game from the middle of the park, creating chances for both Crespo and Asprilla but neither could test Rustu in the Fenerbache goal. It didn’t take long for the hosts to get themselves back in the tie, Diego Fuser’s cleaver flick over the Fenerbache defence cause a mix up between Saffet Akbas and Rustu as the defender headed past the Turkish goalkeeper who was caught in no mans land. Parma were beginning to pepper the visitor’s goal, a second seemed inevitable. It came as half time fast approached, an absolute howler from Rustu, gifted Hernan Crespo an easy tap in from close range. Stefano Fiore’s long-range shot looked to be a comfortable save for Rustu but his poor attempt to keep it out let him down as the ball fell to Crespo to put Parma 2-1 up in the tie. Despite Parma’s dominance, the game was on a knife edge, and that man Baljic, who tormented Parma in Turkey swung the game in favour of Joachim Low side. Much like Moldovan’s goal in the first leg, Parma’s defensive fragility from set pieces was clear to see as his free kick missed everyone and nestled in the corner of Buffon’s net, in truth the Italian goalkeeper should do better. Parma were rattled for the next few minutes as Fenerbache had chances to put the game to bed, however Parma managed to ride the storm. The tide turned again, with 20 minutes left on the clock, Alain Boghossian smart dummy, allowed Crespo to one-to with the Frenchman as his cute back heel flick set up Boghossian, who’s cool finish put the tie to bed, sending the Tardini into raptures. Parma would hold on to go through 3-2 on aggregate, in what was a thrilling first round tie. Next up Parma were off to Poland to face Wisla Krakow in round two. Parma XI Buffon, Thuram, Mussi, Sensini, Boghossian, Veron, Fuser, Benarrivo, Fiore, Crespo, Asprilla. Substitutes: Sartor, Orlandini, Balbo, Guardelben, Vanoli, Giunti, Longo. Manager: Alberto Malesani Fenerbache XI Rustu, Hogh, Uche Okech, Akbas, Bulut, Yakin, Moshoeu, Dogan, Korkut, Bajlic, Moldovan. Substitutes: Diyadin, Bolic, Sahin, Savut, Sozeri, Ozsoy, Senturk. Manager: Joachin Low Elvir Balic’s 65th minute strike against IFK Goteborg, was enough to see Fenerbache scrape through the UEFA Cup qualifying rounds on away goals to set up a first-round tie with Parma. Alberto Malesani couldn’t have wished for a tougher tie, than an early season trip to Istanbul. The Turkish side had just hired young German coach Joachim Low and despite losing Jay Jay Okocha to PSG for £11 million they had made an impressive start to the season. New summer signings Elvir Baljic and Viorel Moldovan were flourishing while Murat Yakin was proving an inspirational bit of business. Low was quickly making an impression in Turkey. Fenerbache were undefeated in their opening five games, scoring 16 and conceding just three in the process. As for Parma and Malesani they headed to Turkey having struggled with an unconvincing 0-0 draw at home to Vicenza in the opening day of the Serie A season, meanwhile Fenerbache were five games into their season and fully in the swing of things, battering Karabukspor 4-1. Malesani made five changes to the side that drew with Vicenza. Luigi Sartor, Diego Fuser, Alain Boghossian, Antonio Benarrivo and Juan Sebastian Veron all sat out, while Nestor Sensini, Mario Stanic, Paolo Vanoli, Stefano Fiore and Raffaele Longo all came in to the starting 11 in Turkey. Parma were greeted in the usual Turkish football fashion. An absolute cauldron of noise and colour welcomed them, with huge clouds covering the pitch from the intimidating red smoke bombs and flairs, creating the illusion both main stands were the fires off hell. Parma looked immediately unsettled in their new intense surroundings, the deafening boo’s and whistled drowned out every Parma touch of the ball as the hosts soon took control of the game. Despite Parma’s nervous start, Dino Baggio tried his best to silent the hostile home crowd as his long-range effort was comfortably pushed away by Rustu in the Fenerbache goal. The Sukru Saracoglu stadium would soon erupt though as Elvir Baljic’s deep freekick caught Parma defence sleeping, Viorel Moldovan found himself free of Nestor Sensini to head past a helpless Buffon from close range. giving Low's side a deserved lead. Baljic and Moldovan were causing Parma all sorts of problems, whether it be from Baljic’s dangerous deliveries or Moldovans trickery and pace, Parma were like a rabbit caught in the headlights at times. Despite the home sides dominance, Alberto Malesani thought his side had drawn level against the run of play. With half time fast approached, a smart one-two between Asprilla and Vanoli, set the Italian on his bike down Parma’s left-hand side, his cross was headed down to Asprilla who somehow managed to blast wide from close range. With the second half under way Parma were beginning to look a bit more settled, and were coming in to the game more and more. Malesani made a change. Diego Fuser was on to replace Mario Stanic as Parma chased a vital away goal. Malesani’s plan and Parma’s encouraging play was soon brought to an abrupt halt. Less than 10 minutes after Fuser came on, Dino Baggio picked up his second yellow card of the game, his late two footed lunge on the hour mark forced Paul Durkin to reach for the red card, reducing Parma to 10 men. 1-0 seemed like good result to take back to Italy now for Malesani. Parma continued to attack despite Fenerbache having the man advantage, however the Turkish outfit remained very dangerous, particularly on the counterattack. As the game was coming to an end Low’s side sprung on the break with that man Baljic at the heart of it again, Baljic found himself in a footrace with Fabio Cannavaro, Baljic’s blistering pace had struck the fear of god into Cannavaro and the Parma defence all night, with Cannavaro beaten and Baljic bearing down on goal, Cannavaro commited a foul that had Durkin reaching for his red card yet again, meaning Parma finished the game with 9 men. Malesani’s side got out of Turkey losing just 1-0 to an impressive Fenerbache, however had it all to do in the second leg now without suspended Dino Baggio and Fabio Cannavaro. Parma XI Buffon, Sensini, Thuram, Cannavaro, Stanic, Baggio, Longo, Vanoli, Fiore, Balbo, Asprilla. Coach – Alberto Malesani Fenerbache XI Rustu, Saffet, Okechukwu, Dogan, Tayfun, Yakin, Moshoeu, Metin, Bulut, Moldovan, Baljic. Coach – Joachin Low |
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