AH - Italian Football - Butterflies in Milan

[Piave92]

UEFA Champions League - Juventus
In the European sphere, Juventus made its debut in the Champions League, beginning its journey from a group in which Borussia Dortmund, Steaua Bucharest and Rangers were included: having defeated the Teutonic players in the opener, the Savoy team then imposed itself against the Romanians at home and in both challenges with the Scots, earning a premature passage to the round.

In the quarterfinals of the Champions League, the Piedmontese overcame Real Madrid, managing to overturn in the return match at the Delle Alpi, thanks to goals by Del Piero and Ravanelli, the narrow defeat suffered in the first leg at the Iberians' ground. Opponent in the semifinals then turned out to be Nantes-Atlantique, ruled 2-0 in the first leg match in Turin, a partial that made the 2-3 defeat in the return match on French soil irrelevant; once again admitted to the final of the highest European competition after eleven years since the Heysel scandal. Juventus will have to confront Ajax, the incumbent Champions League winner in the Final in Rome.

The start was the prerogative of Juventus, partly due to a certain tension blocking some of Ajax's young elements, leading them at this stage to commit various naive mistakes. The game was unblocked in the 13th minute when defender Frank de Boer performed a clumsy header on the rebound, which allowed Juventus striker Fabrizio Ravanelli to sneak smoothly between de Boer himself and the outgoing goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, and despite the very angled position as well as Sonny Silooy's attempted save, to slide in for the Bianconeri lead.

The goal conceded aroused Ajax, which recomposed itself and began to push towards the opponent's half of the field, taking advantage of its greater physical strength, making itself dangerous especially on dead-balls: first, on a corner kick action, Nwankwo Kanu forced Bianconeri extreme defender Angelo Peruzzi into a great intervention that denied the Dutch an equalizer; a goal only postponed since in the 41st minute the Juventus rearguard allowed itself to be surprised on the development of a free kick from the edge of the area, with an uncertain Peruzzi this time not blameless, who only managed to clear a ball that thus fell between the feet of the Ajacid fantasist Jari Litmanen, author of the equalizer with an easy tap-in under the net.

The two teams went to halftime at 1-1, a score that remained unchanged even in the second half, which was more stingy of emotions, and where there was only a clear chance for the top striker of the Torino team, Gianluca Vialli, who from a very favorable position kicked on the outside of the net, and another untaken by Angelo Di Livio.

The challenge then extended to extra time, which ended in a deadlock despite an untaken chance by Bianconeri fantasist Alessandro Del Piero in the second half, handing the outcome of the final to the penalty shoot-out: in the series from the penalty spot the Juventus players were infallible, while among the Dutch the mistakes of Edgar Davids and Silooy proved decisive, whose shots were both repelled by Peruzzi; realizing his attempt, Vladimir Jugović handed Juventus its second title in the competition.

Champions League Roll of Honor

UEFA Cup Winners' Cup - Milan
Milan faced (as Coppa del Re runner up of the previous season) the Cup Winners' Cup, a European trophy that was overshadowed many times by the more prestigious Champions League and UEFA Confederation Cup. Milan quickly dismissed the Albanians of Teuta with a double 2-0 win (Weah's brace in Albania, and Albertini & Bonomi scoring in the home game).

In the round of 16, the Milanese lost 3-0 in Sweden against Halmstad, forcing them to overturn the odds in a resounding 4-0 home win (Weah, Simone's brace, and Boban). Unfortunately for the Rossoneri, they met Paris Saint-Germain in the Quarterfinals. The Milanese won 1-0 at home with Weah scoring against his former team, but in the return game, the Parisians won 3-1 (Rai's brace with two different penalties, and Loko for the French, Simone for the Italians).

Cup Winners' Cup Roll of Honor

UEFA Confederation Cup - Lazio, Capitolina, Cagliari, and Andrea Doria
Qualification Round
All the Italian clubs qualified in their respective rounds to the knockout stage

Knockout stage
Round of 16

• Cagliari ended eliminated after a double 2-0 with Sparta Praha, exiting the competition in the Round of 16 in the extra time of the return game in Prague with a late goal by Nedved.
• Capitolina overcame Broendby with a home win, overturning the defeat in Denmark in the first leg.
• Doria defeated Aalst at home with a goal by Mancini and then tied 0-0 in Belgium, qualifying to the Quarterfinals.
• Lazio was eliminated in with a double 1-1 with Strasbourg, with the Alsace team managing to win at the penalties shoot-out.

Quarterfinals

• Doria suffered a tremendous 0-3 defeat by Strasbourg, and their 2-1 away win was useless, leading to the Genoese's being eliminated
• Capitolina was eliminated by Slavia Praha because of the away goal rule, with the Czechs achieving the goal of the 3-1 in the late minutes of the return leg at the Olimpico stadium in Rome.

UEFA Confederation Cup Roll of Honor

 

[Piave92]

What do you think about 1995-1996, guys?

 

[Sevsdast]

Not bad!

 

[Piave92]

Milan - Italian Champion

Juventus - Champions League, Italian Super Cup

Parma - Coppa del Re

 

[Piave92]

Warning: most of the text in the first paragraph is in mixed Milanese vernacular (different than Italian, indeed an actual language in its right -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lombard_language), you can read the translation below in green while in blue you have the actual Milanese dialogue.
Milan, July 15th, 1996 – Bar de l’Oeucc, via Alessandro Astesani, 2, Affori neighbourhood – Milan northern area
“Allora, Giuan, anca mò dree a sperà in quei quater bròcch della sciuretta Madunina?
"So, Giuan, still back there hoping for those four duds of little Madonnina?”

The patron who had just entered the bar was a well-known Milanista in the neighborhood, Mr. Pietro Cazzaniga. After all, the sciur Peder, as they said in dialect, was but one of many.

The Giuan, born Giovanni Oltolini, on the other hand, was a staunch supporter of Ambrosiana, who had seen Herrera's squadron in the 1960s as a teenager and who had experienced in his mature years the triumphs of the Berlusconi era at the turn of the 1980s. Giuan closed its Gazzetta dello Sport, which right on the front page, as a good Milanese sports daily, featured a picture of the newly appointed Checkers' coach, Luigi Simoni, with an eloquent "WITH KANU AND DJORKAEFF - IT'S GREAT AMBROSIANA."

“Ué Peder, mücala! Te seet andà in Serie B anca ti quindes ann fa!”
"Oi Peder! Enough! Your Milan went to Serie B fifteen years ago too!”

“Sì, ma dumà perché i gh’han deciduu de mandà numm in quel Tribunal de l'ostia, minga in sul prà cunt el balun che va de dree al sciur Zenga”
“Yes, but only because those crooked judges decided to sent us there, not because of balls ending behing your goalie Zenga”, Peder snickered in reply, as he sipped a sprayed bianchino (white wine with selz).

“Turnarem grand, la Ambrusiana Granda, e ti casciavitt d’un milanista te poeudaret minga faa nagòt, sculta un stüpid”
“We’ll be back, big, the Grande Ambrosiana, and you casciavitt, Milan supporter, won’t be able to do nothing, listen to a stupid”. and having said this, Giuan reopened his Gazzetta dello Sport on the pages devoted to the Ambrosiana.

Telelombardia - Qui Studio, Voi Stadio sports program, Summer 1996
"But so, will Ambrosiana finally return to Serie A this year?" host Micheletti asked the pundit of proven Checkers faith, Elio Corno.

"I can feel it, this year is the good year," confirmed Corno, while the rest of the studio of opposit faith, led by the columnist of proven Milanista supporters, Tiziano Crudeli, began in a loud laughter, followed by his second, Gian Luca Rossi.

"How dare you, Crudeli!!!" shouted Corno, and the two of them began their usual little theater of tender shoving, shouting, screeching, and laughing.

The announcer who was taking calls in the meantime asked for the line, with great urgency. Host Micheletti then asked the director to put the call live on the air.

"Hello, this is Gianluigi from Cinisello, a Madonnina fan. I'd love to agree with Corno, but I can't see us this year either! It is not possible. We've been in Serie B for two years, Moratti is overspending billions, and we keep making poor figures against provincial teams, while Milan wins championships and Juve, the hated Juve, wins the Champions Cup. WE CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! AMBROSIANA DESERVES FUCKING RESPECT!

The mood within the Ambrosian milieu was downright gloomy: despite the proclamations of the Gazzetta, the Checkers were preparing for their third consecutive Serie B, having missed out in the season finale on fourth place, which would have opened the playoff door wide against Genoa, in favor of Reggiana.
Moratti's heavy investment in the club had so far failed to lift the team after the Berlusconian "binge" of victories and successes, followed by the collapse and the obvious "hangover" that had taken the glorious Milanese club into the second tier. In the face of these difficulties, President Massimo Moratti, son of the great Ambrosian president of the 1960s, Angelo, went well beyond his financial means, setting up a team that would not have disfigured even for a UEFA placement. In place of the Englishman Hogdson inside the experienced Luigi Simoni. Just as Ambrosian exasperation was at its limit, a small flame of hope was rekindled in the very summer of 1996.

Map of Milan's City Limits supporters by Neighboroughood (MILAN)

Map of Milan's City Limits supporters by Neighboroughood (AMBROSIANA)

Overall, Milan, on average commends a 3:2 ratio in the City of Milan, achieving the 2:1 in the Southern and Western suburbs. Ambrosiana dominates the Northeastern zone, and contests the Northern and Eastern areas of the City and the historical city centre...

 

[Piave92]

The massive dissemination of football through the television media and the strong popularity of the Serie A ended up 'killing' the local fan phenomenon to some extent, especially where local clubs were unable to compete at least at a Serie B level.

Juventus was the club that took more and more advantage during the 1980s, continuing what many called 'the Southern Strategy', conquering large slices of consensus in Calabria, Sicily, Apulia, Lucania and the inland areas of Campania. In addition to this, Juve also found wide consensus in territories not represented by major Serie A teams, spreading and taking root even in areas where there were clubs with a history, such as lower Lombardy or central Veneto.

Milan held its own very well, but did not grow in relative numbers, confirming itself as the prevailing club in northern Italy. The Ambrosiana cousins, after the Berlusconi hangover, returned to their Milanese strongholds, with a few more friends throughout the 'Boot'.

The two Roman clubs continued to consolidate, while Naples, Florence, Cagliari and Udinese dominated their respective regions. In the Genoese derby, Andrea Doria finally reached similar numbers to their eternal rivals from Genoa, thanks also to an increasing spread outside the region.

 

[TPL99]

Hi, TPL99 here! I just want to say that after this time reading and following this TL, I needed to praise you @Piave92 because it's a very brilliant work about our beloved soccer (and soccer TLs are goddamn amazing) and the calcio is an excellent road to drive by looking for good stories. Keep it up, man!

 

[Piave92]

Hi, TPL99 here! I just want to say that after this time reading and following this TL, I needed to praise you @Piave92 because it's a very brilliant work about our beloved soccer (and soccer TLs are goddamn amazing) and the calcio is an excellent road to drive by looking for good stories. Keep it up, man!

Many thanks @TPL99, you have been one of the strenous supporters of this TL and I really appreciate that

Gotta think a little bit on the late 90s, Milan's OTL crisis, Lazio's rise, Ambrosiana BIG return... The financial cracks of Lazio and Parma... Many things to sort out before writing a new update, but keep faith in me . I hope to deliver the 96-97 this late afternoon (CET time)

 

[Piave92]

 

[Piave92]

What do you think guys? And, by any chance someone knows how to cancel the poll and activate another? I have no clue how to remove the old one...

Transfer market
The Bosman ruling definitively changed the competitive landscape, with the new legality of fielding an unlimited number of EU players quickly becoming a source of new talent for the most beautiful league in the world, Serie A. The impacts of the ruling greatly reduced the number of national starters in Serie A, triggering a mechanism that rewarded only the true Italian talents, but at the same time clipped the wings of good-level players, forcing them to find places in smaller teams or Serie B.

The Italian champions Milan changed their technical leadership, entrusting the team to the Uruguayan coach, Oscar Washington Tabarez, who had performed well at Cagliari as Technical Director and already had a respectable curriculum in South American football. The locker room veterans did not take the change in leadership well, especially since Capello left the team for Real Madrid without sharing his intentions. In the market, Milan pursued the talented Zidane (MF) for a long time, but he ended up signing with Juventus, so they turned to his compatriot Dugarry (FW/SS) instead. Outgoing, the veterans Donadoni (MF) and Galli (DF) left the team after more than a decade, while the young Vieira (MF) was dismissed and replaced with the strong Dutch midfielder from Ajax, Edgar Davids (MF). To add numbers and experience, Milan also signed Vierchowod (DF) as a free agent from Juventus.

The black-and-white rivals, firmly in Lippi's hands, continued with a strengthening campaign after their Champions League victory, aiming directly for the national and continental double. Besides the aforementioned Zidane (MF), Juve signed Boksic (FW) from Lazio, the tough defender Montero (DF) from Atalanta (although they failed to pry the striker Vieri (FW) from the Bergamo club, with the youngster going to Capello's court in Madrid). Completing the squad were also Nicola Amoruso (FW), Mark Iuliano (DF), and the Portuguese defender Dimas (DF). They sacrificed Paulo Sousa (MF), Ravanelli (FW), and Vialli (FW), with the latter heading to England, taking advantage of the Bosman ruling.

Capitolina made a small revolution, calling the Argentine Carlos Bianchi to the bench instead of Carlo Mazzone. Among the new arrivals were the young midfielder Tommasi (MF), the French full-back Candela (DF), and the backup goalkeeper Berti (GK). The historic captain Giannini (MF/SS) definitively left the team, along with other second-tier players. The keys to the team were already entrusted to its rising star, Francesco Totti (SS).

Firenze brought the promising goalkeeper Pagotto (GK) to Tuscany, the experienced Pusceddu (DF) from Cagliari, and the player Kanchelskis (MF). After almost 11 years, Roberto Baggio (SS) left Florence, following a series of exclusions due to injuries in favor of Rui Costa (SS/MF). Baggio then asked for a transfer, triggering a small auction that was won by a totally unexpected club compared to the offers from major Italian and foreign teams.

Lazio, entrusted to the advocate of offensive football, the Czechoslovak Zeman, strengthened by acquiring Marchegiani (GK) from a Torino that needed to balance its books. The Roman club also picked from the revelations of Euro 1996, signing the young Czechoslovak Nedved (MF). Sampdoria of Mantovani, at the end of a cycle and close to ending its competitive era, tried to stay afloat with a half revolution in the squad. Pagliuca (GK) was replaced by Ferron (GK), Seedorf (MF) left for Real Madrid, replaced by the Argentine Veron (MF). To reinforce an attack weakened by the sale of Chiesa (FW) to Parma, the top scorer Protti (FW) from Liberty Bari also arrived.

Speaking of Parma, besides Chiesa (FW), the Argentine Crespo (FW) arrived to improve the attack, causing Negri (FW) to emigrate again to the British Isles. Two new pillars of the defense were also added, the Brazilian full-back Zé Maria (DF) and the French center-back Thuram (MF). On the bench, Nevio Scala left the helm to the returning Ancelotti, with the new coach (a former Roman and former Milan player) returning to where he had started his professional playing career.

Napoli of Ferlaino called Montefusco (a former flag of the Neapolitan team as a player) to the bench, strengthening its attack with the addition of Aglietti (FW) and Caccia (FW). Cagliari, now led by Mazzone, lost Zola (SS) to Chelsea and barely managed to keep Cantona (FW), tempted by Manchester United. Oliveira (FW) was sold, and the experienced Tovalieri (FW) arrived in attack.

The Torino of CEO Giraudo tried to do its best with the few funds provided by Ferrero, sacrificing Marchegiani (GK) to Lazio but finding an agreement with Pagliuca (GK) on a free transfer. The sale of Cois (MF) financed part of the transfer campaign, with the arrival of the striker Ferrante (FW), after pursuing the young F. Inzaghi (FW) from Piacenza, who instead signed with Atalanta. Sandreani became the new coach.

The Genoa of president Spinelli, with the Costa family increasingly playing a more or less known financier role, continued to strengthen, taking Cois (MF) from Torino and the young striker Beghetto (FW). The Genoese club struggled greatly to fend off an offer from Ambrosiana for the young Zanetti (DF/MF) and one from Parma for Sensini (DF/MF).

Ambrosiana of Moratti appointed the experienced Luigi Simoni as coach and conducted a strengthening campaign that cost the president almost 130 billion Lire. The squad thus assembled was more of a UEFA placement roster than a team equipped to win Serie B. Among the highlights of important signings were the forward Zamorano (FW), the promising Kanu (FW), the creative Djorkaeff (SS/MF), the experienced target man Ganz (FW), the utility player Sforza (MF), and especially the last Italian Ballon d'Or winner, Roberto Baggio (SS/FW). Baggio accepted Moratti's irresistible offer, which involved paying about 8 billion to Fiorentina and committing to pay another 5 net to the player. Baggio made an important declaration immediately upon joining the training camp: "I promise that by the end of the year Ambrosiana will be in Serie A"."

 

[Piave92]

Promotion & relegation knock-off
As usual, in the early August, the Playoff took place between the fourth-to-last team of Serie A, Foggia, and the Serie B 4th placed, Atalanta:

• Reggiana – Genoa (1-1 – Simutenkov (REG), Beghetto (GEN))
• Genoa – Reggiana (2-0 – Montella, Montella)

Verdicts

• Bologna, Verona, and Perugia promoted to Serie A through Serie B placement;
• Liberty Bari, Cremonese, and Padova relegated to Serie B through Serie A placement;
• Reggiana confirmed to Serie B/ Genoa confirmed to Serie A through Playoff.

Formula and international tournaments
The 1996-1997 Serie A consisted of a single 18-team national league. The latter three placed teams withstand direct relegation, while the 15th placed is forced to the playout against the 4th Serie B club.

• MIlan (National Champion) and Juventus (Title Holder) to 1996-1997 European Cup;
• Parma (Coppa del Re runner-up) to the 1996-1997 European Winners' Cup;
• Capitolina, Firenze, Lazio, and Andrea Doria to the 1996-1997 UEFA Confederation Cup;
• Milan and Parma to the Italian Super Cup.
• Juventus to the UEFA Super Cup
• Juventus to the Intercontinental Cup

Serie A 1996-1997 roster – in parenthesis the main shirt sponsors

• Milan – (Lotto / OPEL – automotive)
• Juventus (Kappa / Sony – electronics)
• Capitolina – (Asics / INA Assitalia – insurance)
• Firenze – (Reebok / Sammontana – food)
• Lazio – (Umbro / Cirio - food)
• Andrea Doria – (Asics / Nuova Tirrenia – ship cruising)
• Parma – (Puma / Parmalat – food)
• Naples – (Lotto / Centrale del Latte di Napoli - food)
• Vicenza – (Biemme / Pal Zileri – clothing)
• Udinese – (Hummel / Millionaire Market – retail)
• Cagliari – (Reebok / Pecorino Sardo – food)
• Piacenza – (ABM / Cassa di Risparmio di Parma e Piacenza – banking)
• Atalanta – (Asics / Somet – machinery)
• Torino – (Lotto / SDA – express couriers)
• Genoa – (Erreà / Giocheria – toys)
• Bologna – (Diadora / Cassa di Risparmio di Bologna – banking)
• Verona – (Erreà / Ferroli – machinery)
• Perugia – (Galex / CEPU – education)

Italian Supercup - Milan - Parma (1-2)
Milan and Parma clashed on August 25th in Genoa, at the Pasteur Stadium on neutral ground, for the Italian Super Cup. The referee Treossi of Forlì started the game in front of around 25 thousand supporters, chiefly Milanistas. Parma immediately took the lead with a goal from Enrico Chiesa in the 12th minute, heading in a cross from the ever-present Figo, which immediately troubled a struggling Maldini. Milan found the strength to react, equalizing in the 22nd minute with a brilliant play from Savicevic.

In the second half, Milan pursued the win in several occasions with Weah, but in the end the team was still suffering from a lagging physical shape, with Parma running more and more in the latter part of the game, when Albertini had to leave the pitch, exhausted at the minute 75th, while Desailly tried to keep the boat afloat amidst the continuous incursions of Figo and Berti. Finally, Chiesa snatched the late goal at minute 83rd, with Parma achieving the win.

The championship
First round
The tournament started on September 8, 1996. Juventus found itself alone at the top by the fourth matchday; on October 13, the Bianconeri, losing in Vicenza, allowed Parma to temporarily take the lead, but just a week later, the victorious outcome of the direct clash against Lazio at the Delle Alpi allowed the Old Lady to overtake their rivals. In the following matchdays, the Emilians and Piedmontese continued to alternate at the top of the standings, while at the end of November, the surprising Vicenza of Francesco Guidolin posed problems for the Bianconeri.

A decisive moment for Lippi's team was the home victory on December 15 against Verona, achieved by overturning an initial two-goal deficit (3-2). Meanwhile, the reigning champions Milan faced a crisis of results that not even the return of Arrigo Sacchi in December could remedy. He was called to replace the sacked Tabárez after the defeat in the eleventh round at Piacenza (3-2). At the Christmas break, Juventus was in the lead, followed, tied in second place, by two unexpected revelations: Vicenza and Naples, who were performing well above their summer expectations. The situation changed again at the halfway point, with the Bianconeri winter champions at +4 over a Andrea Doria led by the new striking partnership of Mancini-Protti, +5 over Lazio, and +6 over Vicenza and Parma.

Second Round
The second half of the season seemed to start well for Andrea Doria, which, on February 2, 1997, came from behind to win at San Siro (3-2 against Milan), moving to within 2 points of Juventus, who were held to a 0-0 draw at Cagliari. However, from that moment, the Ligurians suddenly lost their pace, allowing Juventus to pull ahead once again. Lazio also fell out of contention after the 0-0 draw in the direct clash at Flaminio, making way for Parma, whose late charge seemed too little, too late. On April 6, Lippi's men achieved a historic 6-1 victory at Milan's home, so the Emilians could only close the gap when, the following week, the league leaders were defeated at home by Udinese. However, it was the same Udinese team under Alberto Zaccheroni that, by also winning at the Tardini on the 20th of the same month, dashed the comeback hopes of the Gialloblù.

The direct clash in Turin on May 18, Parma's last chance to reopen the title race, ended in a 1-1 draw that kept the hosts 6 points ahead, virtually securing the Scudetto for them. This was mathematically confirmed five days later in Bergamo when a similar score against Atalanta, featuring top scorer Inzaghi (24 goals), allowed the Piedmontese team to celebrate their nineteenth Italian title with twomatchday to spare. The Emiliani were then overtaken in the last game by an astounding Udinese, led by Bierhoff's goals at the second place.

In the UEFA zone, a poor run of results cost newly promoted Bologna, coached by Renzo Ulivieri, a place in Europe, benefiting Genoa and Lazio: for the Friulians, it was their debut on the continental stage (in the bigger one too, the Champions League) and, under the leadership of owner Giampaolo Pozzo, the confirmation of their status as a solid force in Italian provincial football for years to come. It was a season to forget, in contrast, for a disappointing Milan, which finished in fourteenth place, retrospectively their worst placement ever

At the bottom, early salvation for a Capitolina in an identity crisis, forced in April to recall Nils Liedholm to the bench to avoid greater troubles, but not for Naples, who were only mathematically secure of remaining in the top flight two rounds from the end: the Partenopei had a truly double-faced season, with excellent results in the first half, followed inversely by a decline in the second half, culminating in the replacement of Vincenzo Montefusco with Luigi Radice. Immediate relegation back to Serie B for Verona; while Cagliari faced an incredible relegation together with Piacenza. Perugia saved itself with the playout, tying in points with Milan but falling behind due to goal difference.

Serie A Attendances for 1997-1998 season

Scudetto Roll of Honor

Coppa del Re
The Coppa del Re continued with the following setup, using a scoreboard based on rankings from 1 to 64. The participants were as follows:

• 18 Serie A teams
• 20 Serie B teams
• 20 Serie C teams
• 6 Serie D teams (4 winners of respective rounds + 2 winners of a playout phase among the second placed in each round)

Round of 32
Triestina faced Milan in its worst period, tying the Red & Blacks to a scoreless game at home and violating San Siro with an away 0-1 win, creating a first upset in the bookmakers’ predictions. Another one was Pescara achieving a surprising victory in Genoa against Doria. Parma too suffered against Palermo and didn’t meet the Round of 16; likewise, the rising Ambrosiana was eliminated by a strong Udinese and Padova defeated Genoa 6-4 on aggregate.

Round of 16

• Triestina and Liberty had a 1-1 draw in Apulia (Ingesson for Liberty and Nzamba for Triestina), with the Bari team winning in Trieste the return leg 0-3 (Ventola’s brace and Ingesson)
• Vicenza won 2-0 the home game against Naples (Otero and Ambrosetti) and stopped the Neapolitans on a 2-2 at San Paolo stadium (Aglietti and Caccia for Naples, Otero’s brace for Vicenza)
• Pescara and Reggiana had a pyrotechnic 3-3 game in Pescara (Giampaolo’s brace and Palladini for the hosts, Simutenkov’s brace and Valencia for the guests) and a 3-2 Reggiana win in the follow up (Simutenkov’s brace again and Parente for locals, a brace by Margiotta f
• Verona achieved a 2-2 against Firenze at home (Zanini’s brace) and won 0-3 in Firenze (Maniero’s brace brace and De Vitis), against all odds
• Capitolina won 1-2 in Turin against Torino (Totti and Balbo for the Romans, Ferrante for the hosts), with the Piedmontese overturning the verdict in the return game, winning 0-2 (Lentini and Poggi)
• Lazio and Piacenza tied 1-1 in Emilia (Luiso for Piacenza and Signori for Lazio) but the former won 2-0 at Flaminio stadium (Nedved and Casiraghi)
• Palermo and Udinese tied 1-1 in Sicily (Barraco for locals and Bierhoff for guests), with the Friuli team losing 2-3 at home in another upset (Amoroso and Stroppa for Udinese, Saurini’s brace, and Tedesco for Palermo)
• Padova faced a Juventus too mixed with reserves in the home game, winning 1-0 (De Franceschi) and securing the qualification in the return winning 0-2 at Delle Alpi (Lucarelli’s brace)

Quarterfinals

• Liberty won 1-0 the home game against Vicenza (Guerrero), but the Venetians achieved a 2-0 win at home (Murgita’s brace)
• Reggiana and Verona stopped on a 0-0 in the first leg in Emilia, with the Verona team losing at home 0-1 (Simutenkov)
• Torino defeated Lazio 3-2 at home (Ferrante, Scarchilli, and Mezzano for the hosts, Signori’s brace for the guests) and qualified with a 1-1 tie in Rome (Poggi for Torino, Casiraghi for Lazio)
• Palermo and Padova tied 1-1 in Palermo (Saurini for Palermo and Lucarelli for Padova), with the Sicilians then going corsairs in Padova with an away 0-2 win (Massara’s brace)

Semifinals

• Vicenza tied 1-1 the game in Reggio Emilia against Reggiana (Simutenkov for Reggiana and Ambrosetti for Vicenza), but the Venetians, led by coach Guidolin, won 4-1 at home (Otero’s hat trick and Beghetto for Vicenza, and Reggiana’s Valencia)
• Palermo defeated Torino 1-0 at home (Saurini) but couldn’t overcome the Torinese in Piedmont, stopping on a 1-1 tie (Barraco for Palermo and Cravero for Torino)

Finals
First leg – La Favorita (Renzo Barbera), Palermo - attendance: 29,480 - ref. Ceccarini (Livorno) – Palermo – Vicenza (1-1)
The two unexpected finalists met for the first time at Palermo's Stadio Barbera, with the locals facing a challenge for a national trophy for the first time and the Vicentini looking to redeem a rather dull Serie A season. In truth, Palermo was struggling to avoid relegation to Serie C, but the enthusiasm of its public led it to put up a great performance. Palermo deservedly went ahead with a great shot from outside the box by Campofranco in the 37th minute and then closed in, following their coach's instructions. Vitali. Vicenza, in the second half, attacked furiously, going close to scoring first with Otero in the 59th minute and then with a Cornacchini post in the 77th. Cornacchini sealed, on the 92nd minute, in the middle of injury time, with a masterful right-footed goal, tying the score at 1-1.

Second leg – Romeo Menti, Vicenza- attendance: 22,144- ref. Braschi (Prato) – Vicenza – Palermo (3-1 – after extra time)
In the return match in Veneto, Vicenza faced an already relegated Palermo in Serie C, and immediately took command of operations on the field. This Venetian territorial supremacy turned into an advantage when Maini managed, after an initial rebound by the Rosanero goalkeeper, Sicignano, to seal the tap-in in the 21st minute. The game continued to flow smoothly for the Veneti, until in the second half, from a seemingly harmless counterattack, the Sicilians found the unexpected equalizer, with a conclusion by Favi in the 83rd minute. The two teams then went to extra time, with Vicenza decidedly more "on the ball." The Veneti found the lead again in the 118th minute with the substitute Rossi, again on an unlucky rebound by Sicignano, and then sealed the final 3-1 in the 120th minute with Iannuzzi, shortly after the restart of the game after the 2-1 in front of an extremely careless Palermitan defense. Vicenza then lifted its second King's Cup.

Coppa del Re Roll of Honor

 

[Piave92]

European Super Cup - Final – Juventus – Paris Saint-Germain (6-1)
Juventus faced Paris Saint-Germain, the Cup Winners' Cup holders, who had defeated Bordeaux in the semifinals in the French derby. Juventus literally destroyed the Parisian team with a peremptory 1-6 victory at the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund. The Juventini goals came immediately, with a goal in the fourth minute by Costacurta, followed by Amoruso's goal in the 22nd. Juve then took a 3-0 lead with Fortunato's goal in the 33rd minute. Then came young Amoruso's one-two in the 40th minute, closing at halftime on a peremptory 4-0 lead. Then came the Parisian illusion of 4-1 by Raí in the 52nd minute, followed, however, by the conclusion with the fifth Turin goal, by Lombardo in the 83rd, and finally in the 88th, Di Livio's 6-1. Juve then lifted its second European Super Cup.

Intercontinental Cup – Juventus – River Plate (1-0)
This edition, decided in a single match in Tokyo, saw the title contested by the Italians Juventus, victorious in the Champions League against Ajax, and the Argentinians River Plate, victorious in the Libertadores Cup.The Bianconeri, favored on the eve of the match and in excellent athletic condition, controlled operations in the first half, during which, thanks to an intense midfield pressing as well as good performances by Bokšić and Zidane, they managed to create numerous goal-scoring opportunities, without, however, being able to finalize them.

Such intensity pays off in the second half, when the Turin eleven goes through an athletic decline; nevertheless, they build three more clear chances to take the lead, mainly with Bokšić, originated also by the advanced positioning of the Argentinian rearguard. However, it was precisely the Argentine team, at the first concrete lunge, that had its best chance at goal with Ortega who, attempting a lob near the back line, hit the top of the crossbar. The match seemed destined to go into extra time when in the 81st minute, on the development of a corner kick taken by Di Livio, Bokšić touches the ball for Del Piero who, with a cross-shot, scored behind Bonano. The last Argentine attacks were to no avail, with Peruzzi good at saving his goal on the conclusions of Ayala, Gancedo and Salas.

Juventus won the Intercontinental Cup, their second, with Del Piero being awarded the Best Player Award.

UEFA Champions League - Milan and Juventus
In the first phase of the Champions League, AC Milan, which qualified as Italian champions, faced Portuguese champions Porto, Norway's Rosenborg and Sweden's IFK Göteborg in the elimination round. However, in the midst of the 1996-1997 Rossoneri crisis, Milan failed to make it through the group, finishing in 3rd place, losing the important away game of Göteborg and the painful defeat in the last stage at San Siro against Rosenborg.

Juventus faced England's Manchester United, Turkey's Fenerbahçe, and Austria's Rapid Wien. Juve showed great strength in the group stage, winning it by a wide margin, winning all the matches except for a 1-1 away draw with Rapid Wien.
Juventus proceeded in having a tough Quarterfinal against Rosenborg, with a 1-1 draw in Norway, with Soltvedt scoring Rosenborg's 1-0 and Amoruso scoring the tie two minutes later. In the return leg, Juve won 2-0, win a Zidane goal and an Amoruso's penalty.

In the Semifinal, Juventus smashed Ajax with a 6-2 aggregate, completely unexpected in terms of win. In Amsterdam, Juve went ahead 2-0 with Boksic and Amoruso, with Litmanen scoring the 1-2 in the middle of the second half. In the return leg in Turin, Juve impressed all the football pundits, smashing the Amsterdam team with a resounding 4-1 (Lombardo, Del Piero, Amoruso and Zidane for the hosts, Melchiot for the guests).

The Final: Olympiastadion, Munich, Bavaria - Juventus - Borussia Dortmund (3-2) - attendance: 58,799 - referee: Sandor Puhl (HUN)
Both teams started without surprises, and the match began, as predicted, with Juventus on the attack, creating a dangerous situation as early as the 3rd minute with Vladimir Jugović, who suffered a questionable foul in the German penalty area, with the Hungarian referee Sándor Puhl assigning the penalty. At the fifth minute, Amoruso scored the 1-0. Juventus kept attacking, but Dortmund managed to score the tie in the best moment of Juventus, with a goal from Karl-Heinz Riedle, who controlled the ball with his chest and beat Angelo Peruzzi coming off his line following a free-kick at the minute 29th. Five minutes later, Riedle scored again, this time with a header from a corner kick, putting ahead the Rhenish club at minute 34th. There was still time for Zinédine Zidane to hit the post and for Alen Boksic to have a goal disallowed for a handball before the half ended with Hitzfeld's men leading 2-1.

In the second half, Lippi brought on Alessandro Del Piero, who was rested as a precaution due to a recent injury, making the Turin team much more offensive. The spaces left by Dortmund's defense — which had been limited to counter-attacks due to intense Juventus pressing — were few, but Juve's constant pressure continued, and the woodwork saved the Rhenish again when Amoruso grazed the crossbar after a deflection by goalkeeper Stefan Klos.

After twenty minutes, the Bianconeri closed the deficit with the newly substituted Del Piero, who beat Klos with a fine backheel on minute 65th. In the next play, Del Piero was denied a possible penalty by Puhl, an incident that, along with others during the game, led to fierce controversy at the final whistle. Six minutes later, Juventus, pouring forward in search of an equalizer, were caught on the counter-attack by Borussia, with Lars Ricken, who had been on the pitch for just a minute after replacing Chapuisat, launching a long-range shot that caught Peruzzi off his line and forcing the Italian goalkeeper to an incredible save.

Then, with a few minutes to play before the injury time, Del Piero dribbled Heinrich and entered the upper left corner of Borussia's area, passing then the ball to Zidane, just outside the box. Zidane then performed a lob towards Amoruso, who with his head passed the ball back to Del Piero, who hit the ball with a precise half-volley, hitting the opposite top corner, passing then behind the line. Juventus scored the 3-2 with Del Piero at minute 89th, securing then their third Champions League. Del Piero was elected Man of the Match and went on to win the 1997 Ballon d'Or.

Dortmund, which also included a substantial group of former Juventus players (Júlio César, Kohler, Möller, Reuter, and Sousa), had to accept their unexpected loss.

UEFA Champions League Roll of Honor

UEFA Cup Winners' Cup - Parma
Parma approached the Cup Winners' Cup with the goal of finally winning a European title. They overcame the Romanian side Bistrita (1-1 in Romania, 1-0 in Parma) in the Round of 32, and then defeated Sparta Praha (2-1 in Italy and 1-1 in Prague) in the Round of 16. Parma's hopes became even more serious when they managed to beat the strong Portuguese team Benfica with a 2-0 away win and limiting them to a 1-0 defeat at home. In the semifinals against the Catalans of Barcelona, Parma secured a 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp (with Chiesa equalizing Nadal's initial lead). Unfortunately for Ancelotti's team, Barcelona came to Parma and dominated, securing their place in the final with a decisive 2-0 victory (goals by former player Couto and Guardiola).

UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Roll of Honor

UEFA Confederation Cup - Capitolina, Firenze, Lazio, and Andrea Doria
Qualification Rounds
Only Capitolina and Doria managed to pass the preliminary round, winning both their rounds. Lazio was exclued due to both goal difference and the disadvantage in heads-up with Tenerife. Firenze instead closed third, exiting the cup in the first round.

Knockout stage
Capitolina and Andrea Doria passed their Round of 16, defeating respectively the Prussians of Leipzig and the Portoguese of Boavista with large aggregates both. In the Quarterfinals, Capitolina destroyed Newcastle United with a 4-0 aggregate, while the Genoese struggled against Anderlecht, gaining the qualification only with the return game won 2-1.

In the Semifinals, Doria and Capitolina were sorted to face themselves in an Italian derby. Doria was stronger and presented its superiority with a solid 3-1 home win (Mancini and Protti's brace, Fonseca for Capitolina). Capitolina won the return leg 1-0 with a goal from a free kick by their rising star, Totti. Thus, Doria arrived to the final, to confront in Belgrade the surprise of Berliner TSV, the first Prussian club to achieve this feature in the modern Football.

The Final: Stadion Crvena Zvezda, Belgrade, Serbia - Andrea Doria - Berliner TSV (0-1) - attendance: 41,206 - referee: Marc Batta (FRA)
In Belgrade, the match was played under a torrential downpour, which limited the opportunities for both teams. The first and only goal of the match was scored by Berliner TSV's Wilmots twenty minutes from the end with a long-range shot that gained speed on the wet ground and deceived Ferron, who faced his first shot on target. Unluckily for Doria, they couldn't achieve the win, with the UEFA Cup taking the road to Berlin.

UEFA Confederation Cup Roll of Honor

 

[Piave92]

Scudetto, Italian Super Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup - Juventus

Vicenza - Coppa del Re

 

[Piave92]

 

[Piave92]

Here below you can find all the Rosters for Serie A 1997-1998 - what do you think guys? Who's stronger? Juventus or the resurrected Ambrosiana? Any prediction from your side guys? @Sevsdast @TPL99 @carlosperezesp @kinnikuniverse @ArupinumMaivista @MatthewFirth ?


Juventus, after a triumphant season with a Scudetto-Champions League double, made significant moves in the transfer market. They sold Boksic (CF) due to his inconsistent performance, as well as Jugovic (MF) and Lombardo (MF/LW) from the midfield. With an eye on continuously refreshing the squad, they brought in talented Italian prospects such as Pecchia (MF) for midfield, Birindelli (RB) for the right-back position, and the previous season's top scorer, Filippo Inzaghi (CF), from Atalanta. To complete the squad, they also acquired Fonseca (CF) from the Capitolina, who was looking to redeem himself after a few underwhelming seasons. Additionally, Juventus secured the services of the young playmaker Baronio (MF) from Lazio on a co-ownership deal.
Udinese, who finished second, fought to keep their squad competitive under the guidance of Zaccheroni. They brought in numerous promising players like Bachini (LM) and Zanchi (DF), experienced players such as Statuto (MF) from the Capitolina and Poggi (CF) from Torino, as well as foreign players like Jorgensen (MF) and Walem (MF).

Parma, having failed to win the Scudetto and the Cup Winners' Cup, continued to rely on Ancelotti and invested heavily in the market. They acquired the versatile Dino Baggio (MF) from Torino, and for replacements, they brought in Giunti (MF/SS) from Perugia along with central defender Milanese (DF) from Naples. To enhance the technical quality of the team, they also signed the Danish player Blomqvist (LM).

Doria reappointed the veteran coach Boskov and made a surprising trade: their longtime captain Mancini (SS) moved to Lazio, with Signori (CF) making the reverse move to join Doria. They also sold Karembeu (MF) to Real Madrid. To bolster their attack, they added experienced players like Tovalieri (CF) and the German Klinsmann (CF). Additionally, the French midfielder Boghossian (MF) joined from Naples to further improve the team's technical level.

Genoa, back in European competition, was managed by Tarcisio Burgnich. Despite the upcoming European campaign, they had to make painful sales to balance the books. Captain Panucci (RB) moved to Real Madrid under Capello, and Benarrivo (DF) left the team. Striker Beghetto (CF) and midfielder Cois (MF) also departed. A substantial offer for Javier Zanetti (DF/MF) from Ambrosiana was turned down after Genoa's organized fanbase protested, forcing president Spinelli to decline Moratti's 15 billion lire offer. They aimed to build a competitive squad with additions like the nineteen-year-old Kallon (CF), Federico Giampaolo (CF), Doardo (GK), and the experienced Brazilian defender Paulo Pereira (DF) from Benfica.

Lazio, now a consistent contender for the Scudetto, once again relied on Eriksson. They welcomed back Boksic (CF) from Juventus, who arrived alongside Jugovic (MF). They also strengthened their midfield with Almeyda (MF) and signed left-back Giuseppe Pancaro (LB) from Cagliari. Departing the team were Buso (SS) and Signori (CF), who was traded for Mancini (SS) with Andrea Doria.

Torino lost their longtime midfielder Dino Baggio (DM) to Parma and striker Poggi (CF) to Udinese. With Ferrero's funding starting to dry up, Torino had to be resourceful, bringing in players from smaller clubs like Foglia (CF), Tricarico (MF), and Asta (MF). To reinforce the attack, they signed Carparelli (CF), in defense Fattori (DF), and brought back midfielder Brambilla (MF).

Bologna, having consolidated their position in Serie A after their return the previous season, focused on expanding the squad available to Ulivieri to provide rest for key players. Atalanta, under Mondonico, rebuilt their attack with Caccia (CF) from Naples and Lucarelli (CF) from Padova after losing Morfeo (SS) and F. Inzaghi (CF).
Firenze, with new coach Malesani, aimed to challenge for top positions again by securing Cois (DM) from Genoa, Morfeo (SS) from Atalanta, and the strong Brazilian Edmundo (SS/MF).

Naples struggled in the transfer market due to president Ferlaino's exit after almost fifteen years and the club's financial difficulties, nearing bankruptcy. Vicenza, fresh off winning the Coppa del Re, strengthened their attack with provincial scorers Luiso (CF) and Zauli (SS).

Capitolina, who had narrowly avoided relegation the previous season, appointed the revered Bohemian coach Zeman and signed strong Brazilian players Cafù (RB), Zago (CB), and Paulo Sergio (MF). Additionally, they brought in the robust midfielder Di Francesco (MF) from Piacenza.

The unrecognizable Milan from the previous season returned under the management of Capello and Galbiati, with further rejuvenation of the squad. They promoted Daino (RB) from the youth team, signed Ba (LM/LB), the Brazilian playmaker Leonardo (SS/MF) from PSG, and the promising Dutch striker Kluivert (CF) from Ajax.

Newly promoted Ambrosiana under Moratti and Simoni made a market move that shocked the entire European football scene: Ronaldo Luis Nazario da Lima (CF) transferred from Barcelona to Ambrosiana for 51 billion lire. In addition to Ronaldo, Ambrosiana signed Pagliuca (GK) from Torino on a free transfer, Nigerian defender West (CB), and experienced midfielders Cauet (MF), Moriero (MF/LM), and Simeone (DM/MF), aiming directly for a top-tier championship finish.

 

[ArupinumMaivista]

Torino doesn't look too strong so hopefully a top 10 finish will be enough

 

[Piave92]

Torino doesn't look too strong so hopefully a top 10 finish will be enough

Yeah, Torino is downsizing a little bit its ambition in the late 90s, it will resurface a dozen year in the future in this TL.

 

[Sevsdast]

what is the current fate of the Premier League and other "notable" leagues?

 

[Piave92]

Promotion & relegation knock-off
As usual, in the early August, the Playoff took place between the fourth-to-last team of Serie A, Perugia, and the Serie B 4th placed, Lecce:

• Lecce– Perugia (0-1 - Rapaic)
• Perugia– Lecce (2-0 –Valtolina, Materazzi)

Verdicts

• Ambrosiana, Brescia, and Empoli promoted to Serie A through Serie B placement;
• Cagliari, Piacenza, and Verona relegated to Serie B through Serie A placement;
• Perugia confirmed to Serie A / Lecce confirmed to SerieB through Playoff.

Formula and international tournaments
The 1997-1998 Serie A consisted of a single 18-team national league. The latter three placed teams withstand direct relegation, while the 15th placed is forced to the playout against the 4th Serie B club.

• Juventus (National Champion and Title Holder) and Udinese (2nd placed) to 1997-1998 European Cup;
• Vicenza (Coppa del Re Champion) to the 1997-1998 European Winners' Cup;
• Parma, Andrea Doria, Genoa, and Lazio to the 1997-1998 UEFA Confederation Cup;
• Juventus and Vicenza to the Italian Super Cup.
• Juventus to the UEFA Super Cup
• Juventus to the Intercontinental Cup

Serie A 1997-1998 roster – in parenthesis the main shirt sponsors

• Juventus (Kappa / Sony – electronics)
• Udinese – (Hummel / Atreyu – real estate)
• Parma – (Puma / Parmalat – food)
• Andrea Doria – (Asics / Daewoo – automotive)
• Genoa – (Erreà / Costa Crociere – cruising)
• Lazio – (Umbro / Cirio - food)
• Torino – (Kelme / SDA – express couriers)
• Bologna – (Diadora / Granarolo – food)
• Atalanta – (Asics / Somet – machinery)
• Firenze – (Fila / Nintendo – gaming)
• Capitolina – (Asics / INA Assitalia – insurance)
• Naples – (Nike / Polenghi - food)
• Vicenza – (Lotto/ Pal Zileri – clothing)
• Capitolina - (Diadora / Ina Assitalia - insurance)
• Milan – (Lotto / Opel – automotive)
• Ambrosiana - (Umbro / McDonald's - fast food)
• Brescia – (Erreà / Ristora – food)
• Empoli – (Erreà / Sammontana - food)

Italian Super Cup – August 29th, Turin, Delle Alpi - Juventus vs Vicenza (3-0) - attendance: 21,793 - referee: Bazzoli (Merano)
This time, Juventus struggled without the brilliance of Zidane and Del Piero. Only isolated moments from Inzaghi paved the way to their first significant win of the season against a technically and athletically lacking Vicenza. Guidolin’s team failed to make a single shot on target, victims of their defensive style. The 5,000 Vicenza fans deserved the only praise, cheering their team until the end. With weak opponents, the return of Montero in defense seemed unnecessary. Unlike against Milan, Juventus faced only Luiso as a lone striker, occasionally supported by Baronio. Vicenza's midfield trap, with Di Carlo, Schenardi, Ambrosetti, and Ambrosini, stifled Juventus’ midfield of Deschamps, Zidane, Conte, and Di Livio in the first half, making life difficult for Inzaghi and Del Piero.

The first half was uneventful, with Peruzzi untested and Brivio dealing with weak shots from Conte and Inzaghi. Juventus struggled to create chances, and Zidane appeared sluggish. Di Livio's efforts on the left were insufficient to break the deadlock. In the second half, Inzaghi scored just four minutes in, first hitting the post from a Pessotto cross, then scoring on the rebound. Six minutes later, Inzaghi doubled the lead, finishing a Conte cross with a perfect volley, helped by a defensive error from Coco. With no signs of a comeback, Lippi replaced Zidane and Del Piero with Pecchia and Padovano, respectively. Guidolin brought in Beghetto and Zauli, but it was futile. Conte sealed the win in the 35th minute with a stunning long-range goal. The match ended with Juventus claiming a deserved 3-0 victory and the Supercoppa firmly in their hands.

The Championship
First Round
The tournament preceding the French World Cup began on August 31, 1997. Ambrosiana started with four wins in their first four games, quickly taking the lead in the standings thanks in part to the stunning debut of the young Recoba, who scored a decisive brace against Brescia on the first matchday.

During this phase, Simoni’s team did not particularly dazzle in terms of gameplay, often relying on the brilliance of their individual players, especially Djorkaeff and an improving Ronaldo. Nevertheless, they managed to stay at the top throughout the fall, keeping a steady lead over the chasing pack, from which the reigning champions Juventus emerged as their most credible rivals. Before the Christmas break, Ambrosiana suffered their first defeat, losing at Friuli against Udinese. Alberto Zaccheroni’s team, known for their offensive but effective play, supported by the cohesive attacking trio of Amoroso-Bierhoff-Poggi, emerged as potential outsiders in the title race.

Towards the end of the calendar year, Juventus closed in on Inter, aided by a prolific Del Piero. However, on January 4, 1998, Ambrosiana managed to reassert their lead by cynically winning the Classica at the Mazzola thanks to a Djorkaeff strike (1-0). Ambrosiana, however, slipped a little in its advantage on Juventus, with a draw at Empoli. This allowed Juventus to renew its ambitions. On January 25, after beating Atalanta at the Delle Alpi, Juventus claimed first place and were declared winter champions by a narrow margin.

Second Round
The second half of the season did not start well for Juventus, as they lost their defensive anchor Costacurta for the rest of the season due to a serious leg injury during their February 1 away match at Genoa. Despite this, between February and March, Juventus managed to extend their lead over Ambrosiana, who stumbled in matches against Lazio and Parma, and surprisingly at San Siro against Bologna. During this phase, Ambrosiana also had to fend off a resurgent Lazio under Eriksson, who, with their victory in the direct encounter on February 22, joined Ambrosiana in second place, just two points behind the leaders. Lazio harbored title hopes until April 5, when Juventus, with an away victory at the Olimpico thanks to an Inzaghi strike, ended those aspirations. Meanwhile, Ambrosiana, benefiting from a series of draws by the leaders, approached the crucial match in Turin on April 26, the fourth-last of the season, after having overtaken Juventus on April 19, because of the defeat of the Bianconeri against Torino in the derby. Thus, the Checkers arrived with a four-point lead on the reigning champions.

The match would then foster big controversy due to the referee's, Ceccarini, decisions. Del Piero put Juventus ahead following a successful counterattack, but in the second half, a body check by Iuliano on Ronaldo in the Juventus area leads the referee Ceccarini to award the penalty to Ambrosiana. The "Fenomeno" scored the tie goal, putting the match on a 1-1. The refereeing decisions sparked outrage among Juventus fans and led to heated exchanges from Ambrosiana. The ensuing discussions on Italian media and even in Parliament nearly caused an institutional crisis at the top of the Italian Football Federation. Still today, the intensity of the body check is discussed and even in the era of the VAR (Virtual Assistant Referee), the interpretations are diverging.

Nonetheless, the field verdict proved decisive for Simoni's team. As Juve met an unexpected draw at Vicenza, Ambrosiana draw too at home with Piacenza. On the penultimate matchday, May 10, Simoni’s men lost again to their nemesis Genoa, while at the Delle Alpi, despite an excellent Inzaghi (hat-trick), Juventus impacted with Bologna on 3-3. In the last match, with Ambrosiana on 70 points and Juventus on 67 at the eve of the last game, the Checkers needed a single point to meet their 8th Scudetto after three years of Serie B. Ambrosiana dispatched Empoli 4-1 at home, while Juventus couldn't help itself, tying 1-1 in Bergamo against Atalanta, sending around a third of Milan's population in total frenzy. Udinese closed the podium, following a very good season, carried by Bierhoff's goals (top scorer of 1997-1998 Serie A).

A disappointment of the season, Milan replicated the anonymity of the previous campaign, finishing eleventh and missing out on Europe for the second consecutive time, despite ongoing UEFA reforms that qualified a record nine Italian teams for continental competitions. Besides the Roman teams, Firenze, and Parma (who failed to meet summer expectations), Milan was also denied European football by Bologna and Andrea Doria, who saw the continued goal-scoring prowess of Protti. The latter two teams would participate in the new UEFA Challenge Cup, the new third tier European cup, aimed to award the four semifinalists the access to the following UEFA Confederation Cup and for the winner, the access to UEFA Champions League and UEFA Super Cup.

At the bottom, in addition to Atalanta and Piacenza who were relegated at the end, the long doomed Naples followed suit. Anchored to last place from the start and finishing the season with just 18 points, was relegated from the first time after WW2. Naples changed coaches four times and endured a series of humiliating defeats. Newly promoted Empol, and a declining but justified Vicenza (who reached the Cup Winners' Cup semifinals) all managed to stay up, with Brescia snatching the playout position.

Scudetto Roll of Honor

Coppa del Re
The Coppa del Re continued with the following setup, using a scoreboard based on rankings from 1 to 64. The participants were as follows:

• 18 Serie A teams
• 20 Serie B teams
• 20 Serie C teams
• 6 Serie D teams (4 winners of respective rounds + 2 winners of a playout phase among the second placed in each round)

Round of 32
Only Naples and Firenze were eliminated, respectively by Lecce and Liberty Bari.

Round of 16

• Juventus tied the first leg in Cagliari (1-1, F.Inzaghi for Juve, Muzzi for Juve), while in the return leg a marvelous shot by Zidane sealed the 1-0
• Atalanta won 3-1 the home game against Bologna (Caccia's brace and Sgrò for the Bergamo team, Cristallini for Bologna), while the two teams tied the return game in Bergamo (C.Lucarelli's brace for Atalanta, Andersson and Marocchi for Bologna)
• Lazio defeated Lecce away 1-2 (Mancini and Casiraghi for the Romans, Conticchio for the Salento team) and won the home game 1-0 (Di Vaio)
• Capitolina defeated Doria in Genova (Totti on penalty) and then lost 0-2 at Olimpico (Protti and Veron)
• Parma defeated Milan 1-2 at San Siro (Fiore and Figo for the Emilians, Weah for the Red & Blacks) but collapsed to a 0-3 loss at home (Albertini, Daino, and Boban)
• Genoa won 1-3 in Vicenza (Montella's hat trick for the Genoese, Otero for the Venetians) and tied the home game 2-2 (Kallon and Sensini for Genoa, Luiso's brace for Vicenza)
• Torino quashed Liberty Bari 1-3 away (Asta, Mezzano, and Ferrante for the Piedmontese, Masinga for Liberty). The Torinese then crumbled to a 2-3 loss at the Filadelfia (Masinga's brace and Ventola for Bari, Ferrante's brace for Torino)
• Verona lost 0-1 at home against Udinese (Bierhoff) and tied the return game in Friuli (Amoroso for Udinese, De Vitis for the Venetians)

Quarterfinals

• Juventus tied 2-2 in Bergamo against Atalanta (Fortunato and F.Inzaghi for Juve, both Atalanta former players, Caccia and Foglio for the hosts). The return leg was decided by an unlucky own goal by former Juventus player Carrera
• Doria and Lazio tied the first leg in Rome, with the Romans violating the Franz Calì stadium in Genoa with an away 1-2 win (Negro and Casiraghi for the Romans, Protti for the Dorians)
• Milan and Genoa had a scoreless game in San Siro, but Milan, regenerated in the last part of the season, crushed Genoa with a resounding 1-4 at Marassi (Leonardo, Ba, Weah, and Savicevic, with Ruotolo scoring the only goal for Genoa)
• Torino and Udinese tied 2-2 at Filadelfia (Bertotto and Walem for Udinese, C.Bonomi and Lentini for Torino). Udinese then won the home game 1-0 thanks to Jorgensen coming off the bench in the second half.

Semifinals

• Lazio won 3-1 against Juventus in Rome (Nedved, Jugovic and Mancini for Lazio, F. Inzaghi for Juventus). In the return game, Juve won 1-0 (Del Piero), but had many chances to re-open the game, including a penalty missed by Zidane.
• Milan won 4-2 against Udinese in San Siro (Kluivert's brace, Weah, and Leonardo for the hosts, Amoroso's brace for the guests). Then, the Red&Blacks looked finally bright, at least in the Coppa del Re, with a 0-3 away win in Udine (Weah's brace, Boban, and captain Bergomi scored)

Finals
First leg – San Siro (Giuseppe Meazza), Milan - attendance: 63,564- ref. Bazzoli (Merano) – Milan – Lazio (1-0)
Milan faced a heavily favored Lazio at a contentious San Siro, with organized fan groups like Fossa dei Leoni, Brigate Rossonere, and Commandos Tigre openly protesting against the club, the team, and coach Capello. On the field, Milan attempted to stifle Lazio's midfield quality with little success. Only four crucial saves by Sebastiano Rossi (the cup goalkeeper) and a goal-line clearance by Bergomi prevented Lazio from taking the lead.

As the match seemed headed for a 0-0 draw, delaying the title decision to the Rome leg, a long ball from Rossi found Weah, who was inexplicably left unmarked by Lazio's defense. The Liberian striker headed the ball past Marchegiani, securing a 1-0 victory for Milan in the 90th minute.

Second leg – Flaminio (Tommaso Maestrelli), Milan - attendance: 44,189- ref. Treossi (Forlì) – Lazio – Milan (2-1, 6-3 after penalties)
In the return match, Milan played defensively, leveraging their first-leg advantage. Lazio's midfield was once again stifled by the Albertini-Davids duo. Albertini scored in the 46th minute with a low, powerful shot from outside the box after a pass from Donadoni on a set piece, giving Milan the lead.

Lazio made several substitutions, including Gottardi, which changed the game. In the 55th minute, Gottardi scored from a perfect Mancini assist after a long ball from Venturin. Three minutes later, Gottardi won a controversial penalty after a tackle by Maldini, which replays showed occurred outside the box. Jugovic converted the penalty in the 58th minute, tying the aggregate score.

Lazio continued to press, with Casiraghi hitting the post in the 63rd minute. Milan responded with Maniero, who posed a threat after coming on. The match grew heated, culminating in a clash between Desailly and Di Biagio, resulting in both players being sent off by referee Treossi.

The game went into extra time, where Marchegiani made a crucial save against Maniero in the 113th minute, and Boksic missed a one-on-one with Rossi in the 117th minute. The match ultimately went to penalties.

The pens

• Albertini (MIL) - crossbar and out (0-0)
• Jugovic (LAZ) - goal (0-1)
• Leonardo (MIL) - goal (1-1)
• Rambaudi (LAZ) - goal (1-2)
• Maldini (MIL) - deflected by Marchegiani (1-2)
• Mancini (LAZ) - goal (1-3)
• Davids (MIL) - goal (2-3)
• Nedved (LAZ) - goal (2-4)
• Maniero (MIL) - missed (2-4)

Lazio thus won their fourth Coppa del Re, with Milan remaining also for this season outside the European cups.

Coppa del Re Roll of Honor

 

[Piave92]

what is the current fate of the Premier League and other "notable" leagues?

I have a few guesses, but nothing structured unfortunately...