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Exactly 24 years ago, on June 17, 2001, Fabio Capello’s Roma won their third Serie A title, probably the most beautiful one.

The Giallorossi, in the final match of the Serie A 2000/2001, defeated Parma in a packed Olimpico stadium, already ready to start a grand celebration.

28.05.2017. Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy. Last match of Francesco Totti. Francesco Totti in action during the match Roma vs Genoa.

A Sparkling Year in Rome

Using a phrase of great resonance from a movie released in 2000, let’s start our story. The movie was “Gladiator”, directed by Ridley Scott and starring a great Russell Crowe. The quote is spoken by Crowe’s character: “There was a dream that was Rome, it will be realized!”. Inspired by these words, Roma fans waited until June 17, 2001, for Serie A to return to the Giallorossi. It had been 18 years since that trophy was missing from the cabinet.

To advocate for the Scudetto cause, an excellent coach was chosen: Fabio Capello. The Friulian coach had already won 4 Italian championships with Milan and a Spanish Liga with Real Madrid. It was his second year as Roma’s coach, having previously played for the club in the late sixties.

In the summer of 2000, the arrivals of Batistuta, Samuel, and Emerson completed a highly competitive squad. The 2000/01 season was lived at the top of the table, dictating the rules everywhere and dominating opponents with brilliant play. The final matchday arrived with a two-point lead over the closest pursuer, Juventus. The last obstacle between Roma and the title was Parma. The Gialloblù had nothing left to ask from the season.

Roma-Parma: the Story of a Scudetto

For this decisive clash, coach Capello lined up: Antonioli, Zebina, Samuel, Zago, Cafu, Tommasi, Emerson, Candela, Totti, Batistuta, Montella. Parma opposed with: Buffon, Thuram, F. Cannavaro, P. Cannavaro, Sartor, Almeyda, Sensini, Falsini, Fuser, Milosevic, Di Vaio.

The match was officiated by Mr. Braschi from Prato. The game started and Roma immediately attacked, coming close to scoring on a couple of occasions. The breakthrough came in the 19th minute. Candela received from Tommasi and, after winning a challenge, passed to the center where Totti – with an incredibly powerful shot – scored past Buffon. Roma took the lead.

Parma reacted with former Lazio players Almeyda, Di Vaio, Sensini, and Fuser trying to spoil the Giallorossi celebration. In the 39th minute, Emerson collected the ball in the Roma half and set Batistuta free on a lightning counterattack. The Argentine entered the box and shot, and Buffon saved but the ball fell to Montella who made no mistake. Roma doubled their lead. The fans celebrated wildly, but the players remained focused on the task. Coach Capello, rightly so, did not allow any drop in intensity.

Roma continued to press in the second half, seeking the third goal to seal the victory. In the 78th minute, the third of the Giallorossi attack could celebrate: Batistuta. The Argentine scored his 20th goal in the league, making it difficult to contain the Roma celebration.

However, Marco Di Vaio tried for Parma, scoring a goal four minutes after the Lion King’s goal. The Roma fans didn’t seem intimidated, as two minutes later they invaded the field. It was all very nice, except that the game was not over yet. After 13 minutes, everything was contained so that the match could resume.

Exactly at the 90th minute, without stoppage time (Parma no longer had the strength and motivation to attempt a comeback), the referee Braschi blew the final whistle. Roma-Parma became history. “Thanks Roma” blared from the speakers at full volume: let the Giallorossi celebration begin.

A Well-Deserved, Hard-Fought Scudetto

The final result was a 3-1 victory that left no doubts: Roma was the queen of the league, and the Romanista people went crazy with joy, flooding the streets of the capital. “90% credit to the coach, 90% to the players, and, believe me, the math adds up perfectly…” these were the words of President Sensi after the match. His Roma had dominated the league and was rightfully receiving compliments from the football world. “The other teams did not lose this championship, we won it…” commented coach Capello, adding: “…This Scudetto was perhaps the hardest because winning in Rome is not easy…”. Once upon a time… it will happen again.