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Parma wants rare double Italian Cup winner takes aim at UEFA Cup in Moscow
Posted: Tuesday May 11, 1999 12:07 PM
PARMA, Italy (Reuters) -- Parma, which lifted the Italian Cup last week, hopes to complete a historic double triumph on Wednesday when it clashes with France's Olympique Marseille in the UEFA Cup final. Despite nagging injuries to key players, Parma appears in good form ahead of its fourth European final since 1993 after overcoming Fiorentina to win the Italian Cup and beating Inter Milan 3-1 in Serie A on Saturday. A win in Moscow would give Parma, in Serie B just 10 years ago, its third European trophy of the decade after winning the Cup Winners' Cup in 1993 and the UEFA Cup in 1995. And the double cup triumph would certainly help to assuage the disappointment over having once again failed to win the Serie A title -- the ambitious club's main goal for the past four seasons. "Yes, we still have a lot of regrets, above all because we lost a lot of points against smaller clubs," coach Alberto Malesani said. "But let's hold off drawing conclusions until we know what we have accomplished and where we have failed," he added. Malesani, in just his second season in Serie A, said he was worried about injuries to several of his top players but nonetheless should field his first-choice team in Moscow. While he will probably be without on-form Croat winger Mario Stanic, who pulled a muscle after scoring against Inter, Malesani should recover strikers Enrico Chiesa and Hernan Crespo of Argentina. Italy's Chiesa, who is nursing a leg muscle injury, and Crespo (back pains) were both rested against Inter but will be vital for Parma in Moscow. Crespo, who scored his fourth back-heeled goal of the season against Fiorentina in the second leg of the cup final last week, has taken advantage of Chiesa's assists to become top-scorer in Italy this season with 27 goals in the league and cup competitions. His Argentine compatriot Juan Veron, who Parma relies on for inspiration from midfield, is also likely to be on the pitch despite missing the Inter match with a nagging knee injury. Malesani said he expected to name Faustino Asprilla on the sub's bench. The Colombian has seen little action all season but came alive against Inter creating one goal and scoring another. "That was a great game for Asprilla and he has always been an important player for us -- who knows if he won't be very important again on Wednesday," he said. Midfield will be manned by veterans Dino Baggio and Alain Boghossian of France with Italy's Diego Fuser and newcomer Paolo Vanoli on the flanks. Parma's three-pronged defense is centred by Nestor Sensini of Argentina with Italy's Fabio Cannavaro and France's Lilian Thuram at his sides.
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