On 18 April 1995, Parma-Bayer Leverkusen was played, a UEFA Cup semi-final. It was an extremely different type of football, with the Italian teams excelling everywhere, in any competition, so much so that UEFA itself was won by six Italian teams between 1989 and 1995 (out of seven editions). Considering that Italy has not lifted the trophy since 1999, since the Parma-Olympique Marseille final, the figure is truly impressive.
There was a time when Italian women were practically indomitable. Parma itself won endless competitions, yet it was a team practically made up of only Italians. Bucci, Castellini, Mussi, Susic, Minotti, Pin, Dino Baggio, Crippa and Zola, with Fiore and Branca taking over. The only foreigners were therefore Fernando Couto and Asprilla. The Colombian gave a decidedly important sprint for that semi-final, with a brace before giving way to Branca. Zola scored the final 3-0, against a team that could still count on Happe, Thom, Schuster, Kirsten, Voller and Paulo Sergio, the last two having moved to Italy from Roma.
It must be said that the ducals also won 2-1 in Leverkusen so it was perhaps a slightly easier race than one might have expected. However, Parma reached a European final for the fourth year, this time however in an Italian derby against Juventus, a month later, in the usual home and away final. However, the Bianconeri did not succeed in the grand slam between the championship and the Italian Cup, because Parma won 1-0 in the first leg and then drew 1-1 at San Siro.
Tags: April Parma sinks #Bayer #Leverkusen UEFA Cup final Juve
