Parma's New Adventure (Allsport)
07/14/2002. On the eve of July 12th, AC Parma presented their new players and in the process launched the "New Parma", that will hope to exorcise the demons of the past year. A squad that with the loss of Thuram, Buffon, Crespo, Veron, Almeyda, Amoroso etc. over the past three seasons has seen see-sawing fortunes, being one of the top clubs in Europe and then coming close to Serie B. Amidst the controversy surrounding the departure of skipper Fabio Cannavaro, there is a sense of excitement.
Adriano, Daniele Bonera, Vratislav Gresko, Mark Bresciano, Alex, Simone Barone, Matuzalem and Sabastiano Siviglia have joined a team already full of champions like Di Vaio, Cannavaro, Frey, Nakata, Junior, Lamouchi and Micoud.
Cesare Prandelli could not contain his excitement, "I must admit, it is a great sensation. I hope that we can provide a great show for our fans right from day one."
Striker Marco Di Vaio was also ecstatic about his new found companion Adriano who is said to form (along with Di Vaio) one of the best attack duos in Serie A.
Director of football, Arrigo Sacchi also had a few words to say about the club's market strategy. "Bolano was traded away for market reasons. We are at present in no negotiations to bring any players to the club. Trades will only be made to trim the roster."
"Cannavaro? He will stay with us unless we receive an irresistible offer," smiled the bald-headed technician.
Here is the AC Parma roster for 2002-03:
Goalkeepers: Alfonso De Lucia, Andrea Guatelli, Sebastien Frey, Claudio Taffarel
Defenders: Daniele Bonera, Paolo Cannavaro, Martin Djetou, Gianluca Falsino, Matteo Ferrari, Vratislav Gresko, Sebastiano Siviglia, Stefano Torrisi
Midfielders: Alex, Simone Barone, Mark Bresciano, Aimo Diana, Sabri Lamouchi, Matuzalem, Marco Marchionni
Forwards: Adriano, Emiliano Bonazzoli, Marco Di Vaio, Alberto Gilardino, Savo Milosevic, Paolo Poggi
From July 15th
Gabriel Gaston Oyola (difensore), Johan Micoud
From July 20th
Fabio Cannavaro, Hidetoshi Nakata
From July 31st
Junior, Patrick Mboma, Hakan Sukur