One of the most successful and romanticised clubs in Italian history has faced a calamity of financial errors since the mid 2000s. But, as the club continues its rise from the ashes through two consecutive promotions, CLICKON looks at the last team they fielded in Serie A.
The writing was really on the wall in 2004, when the Parmalat scandal meant insolvency for the former European Cup winners. Years of turbulence followed with a revolving door of managers and owners, finally culminating in Parma being docked points in the 2014-15 season and subsequently being relegated.
Facing debts of over £200million, Parma were forced into bankruptcy and re-founded that July; a truly remarkable story. The details of which reveal the fragility of football teams even in the best leagues in the world.
But back-to-back promotions through Serie D and Liga Pro, mean that Parma will play in Serie B this coming season.
Rising back through the Italian leagues from the charred ashes of its former self. Who were the players that played in the last game before the club’s meltdown, and where are they now?
GK: Antonio Mirante
Parma's first-choice keeper after signing from Sampdoria in 2009. The Italian giant now plays for Bologna. Image source: Zimbio.com
RB: Mattia Cassani
Cassani is a pacey right back and made over 50 appearances for Parma in only two seasons there. Still in Italy, he plays for Serie B side Bari. Image Source: Twitter
CB: Alessandro Lucarelli
The only player to remain at Parma through their turbulence. Lucarelli is now captaining them back up the leagues. Image Source: Twitter
CB: Zouhair Feddal
The Moroccan International now plays in Spain for Deportivo Alaves, after only one season at Parma.
Image Source: Twitter
LB: Massimo Gobbi
Signed as a free agent in 2010 and deployed as left-back despite his preferred central midfield role. Gobbi now plays for Cheivo Verona. Image Source: Twitter
RM: Andi Lila
Lila still plays for his Greek parent club Pas Giannini, after a short loan spell at Parma in 2015. Image Source: Twitter
CM: Filip Jankovic
Now wrestling under the stage name Edge while playing for Slovenian team NK Radomlje. Jankovic also was an U20 World Cup winner with Serbia in 2015.
Image Source: Zimbio.com
CM: Cristobal Jorquera
Jorquera only scored once in seventeen appearances for Parma, missing most of the season through injury. He now plays in the Super Lig for Bursaspor. Image Source: Twitter
CM: Antonio Nocerino
Only at Parma for five months, on loan from AC Milan. Nocerino is currently playing for Orlando City in the MLS. Image Source: Twitter
LM: Silvestre Varela
Another loanee, this time from Porto. Varela scored for Portugal at both the 2012 Euros and 2014 World Cup. A goalscorer too on his last game for Parma - he currently plays for Kayserispor in the Super Lig. Image Source: Twitter
ST: Rafaelle Palladino
Also a goalscorer on that day, Palladino largely struggled with form and fitness at Parma, despite being a starlet at Juventus in his early career. He is still in Italy playing for Genoa. Image Source: Zimbio.com
SUB: Abdelkader Ghezzal
Ghezzal will line-up against Parma next season, playing for Como. The French-born Algerian came on upfront in Parma's last game in Serie A. Image Source: Zimbio.com
SUB: Alessandro Iacobucci
The keeper was subbed on in the 83rd minute of Parma's final Serie A game. He will also line-up against them next season, for Virtus Entella. Image Source: Twitter
SUB: Macdonald Mariga
The first Kenyan to play in the Champions League, Mariga enjoyed two spells at Parma and is now at Latina. Image Source: Twitter
With alumni like Asprilla, Crespo and Buffon, not to mention a legacy of European and domestic success, Parma’s emergence from their destruction is a welcome sight for the footballing world. With the potential of returning back to Serie A next season and a balancing of finances, Parma look to be on the right track.
With all too often teams in the best leagues in the world facing financial insecurity due to poor ownership. Parma’s destruction must come as both a warning and an example of what can happen to a once great club. Their recent ascendence, however, shows that regardless of its demise, Parma’s potential to return to where it belongs, is still alive.
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