Today in Serie A: November 29, 1998 – Parma’s Demolition of Milan

When referee De Santis blew for full time at the Ennio Tardini Stadium in Parma and the dust settled in the afternoon of November 29, 1998, Milan were shocked. What had just happened?

The Rossoneri had no clue. They had just been dominated by Alberto Malesani’s Parma, who won 4-0. Hernan Crespo bagged a braced for the Crociati, who also found the net with Enrico Chiesa (Liverpool’s Federico’s father…) and French midfielder Alain Boghossian.

Parma were a force to be reckoned with in those days and well ahead on their way to conquer the UEFA Cup later in the season. Gigi Buffon was just 21, but already an indisputable starter between the sticks since more than two years. Fabio Cannavaro and Lilian Thuram (Marcus and Khephrén’s father…) towered in defense alongside veteran Argentina international Nestor Sensini.

The midfield featured regular Azzurri call-ups Antonio Benarrivo and Dino Baggio (who was not related to the more famous Roberto…). Upfront, another Argentine sensation like Juan Sebastian Veron partnered with Crespo and Chiesa. What else?

Unfortunately for Malesani and the Crociati supporters, that Parma side was also extremely inconsistent. They were capable of beating Juventus or Milan, but also of dropping points to minnows Cagliari, Perugia or Venezia. That ultimately cost them the chance of winning the title during one of the most balanced Serie A editions ever…

At the end of a dazzling campionato where Inter and Juventus surprisingly lost ground early in the season, and Parma, Fiorentina, Lazio, and Milan all seemed capable of grabbing the Scudetto at some point, it was Alberto Zaccheroni’s Rossoneri to ultimately prevail – an achievement that seemed impossible in that Sunday afternoon when they were crushed by Parma at the Tardini…

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