Parma, 6 November 2020 – Parma’s first match against Fiorentina in Serie A at the Stadio Ennio Tardini ended in a Crociati victory.
We’ve been looking back through past encounters between ourselves and the Viola in Parma ahead of our upcoming match against Iachini’s side at 20:45 CET on Saturday, and we’ve decided to delve deeper into that first encounter. It was just one of a number of impressive results achieved by Coach Nevio Scala’s side during the Crociati’s first ever season in the Italian top flight following their promotion from Serie B the previous campaign. Parma would go on to secure a UEFA Cup spot, the first time they’d be involved in European football.
That amazing journey included this match, which was an afternoon kick-off on Sunday 3 March 1991. And it was won by our captain, Lorenzo Minotti, who, in trademark style, ghosted in behind the Viola defence, met Marco Osio’s delightful free kick and headed past Fiorentina goalkeeper Gianmatteo Mareggini at the far post with 13 minutes on the clock.
It was a goal that he celebrated in front of the Curva Nord, and it was also one which sealed a 1-0 victory. It was a match where Parma also had a bit of luck on their side: Viola attacker Stefano Borgonovo and defender Mario Faccenda both hit the post in the first half for Sebastiao Lazaroni’s impressive Viola team.
After the restart, Osio came close with an effort across goal which forced Mareggini into action. Then, in the closing stages, referee Moreno Frigerio waved away strong penalty appeals after Tomas Brolin had appeared to be fouled by Massimiliano Fiondella.
However, it didn’t matter: the scoreline remained the same and the Crociati picked up a crucial three points.
Header: Captain Lorenzo Minotti during the 1990/91 season. Photos: the Curva Nord during Parma vs. Fiorentina on 3 March 1991.
