Parma, 2 October 2020 – Parma Calcio, who at the start of October host Hellas Verona at the Stadio Ennio Tardini for matchday 3 in Serie A, are taking you back 20 years for a piece of Crociati History.

Ahead of the meeting between the two sides, on Sunday 4 October in our own backyard (kick-off at 15:00 CEST), let’s take a look at some memories that instantly come to mind when thinking about this fixture.

On the afternoon of Sunday 3 October 1999, Parma – with three goals scored in front of the Curva Nord by the South American attacking trio of Amoroso-Ortega-Crespo – had all but wrapped up the victory against Hellas.

It was a moment of liberation.

It was the first victory for Thuram & Co in the season after the three Cups in three months. The Crociati had kicked off the campaign with two draws and two defeats, one of which was the devastating 5-1 loss to Inter at San Siro.

That 3-0 win over Cesare Prandelli’s Verona was the result that really opened the taps for our boys, who at that time were coached by Alberto Malesani.

Marcio Amoroso put the Crociati 1-0 up in just the third mintue. El Burrito Ortega fed him on the edge of the box, setting him up perfectly.

The Brazilian striker, with all his class, shook off Verona centre-back Luca Mezzano and hit it across the keeper and into the back of the net (1-0).

After seven mintues, Parma made it two (2-0). The Hellas back line were caught off guard once again. This time from a cross from the left.

Goalkeeper Graziano Battistini and Mezzano again cleared it out of the six yard box away from Hernan Crespo, but only as far as Ortega.

It was all too simple for the Argentine number 10 as he slotted home from around twelve yards out (his first goal for the Club).

Two minutes later, the Hellas defence made another calamitous error. Battistini brought Amoroso down inside the box and was shown a red card by referee Diego Preschern.

Sebastien Frey, who later became a real stalwart for Parma between the stick, came on.

In the 35th minute, Crespo beat Seba to make it 3-0.

El hombre del gol Crespo finished a beautiful team move, started by El Burrito, from two yards out. Ortega combined with Diego Fuser down the right and it was Fuser who assisted the mercurial Argentine.

Header: Ariel Ortega. Pictures: left above Marcio Amoroso, right below Hernan Crespo. Below: the Curva Nord’s tifo.