Carmignani to the rescue

By Paolo Menicucci

Parma FC are a relatively new force in the Italian football establishment - indeed it was not until 1990 that they played their first Serie A games since World War II. However, they have qualified for Europe in every single season since their return top the top flight - a feat none of their Serie A peers can match.

Bigger issues
On Thursday night they could be forgiven for having their minds on other matters as they take on Besiktas JK at the Ennio Tardini stadium, knowing that only a win - and the right result between R. Standard de Liège and Athletic Club Bilbao in the other Group B game - will sustain their UEFA Cup hopes.

Turbulent week
The week preceding the match has been one of the most difficult in the turbulent recent history of the club. Third from bottom in Serie A, they sacked coach Silvio Baldini on Monday, but will be hoping that new boss Pietro Carmignani can help them reverse their fortunes on the field.

Rescue service
Once Arrigo Sacchi's assistant at Parma, AC Milan, Club Atlético de Madrid and the Italian national team, it is not the first time that Carmignani has been called to the club's rescue. Back in 2000/01, he was the man Parma brought in to keep them in Serie A after the dismissal of coach Daniel Passarella.

'Cincinnato' Carmignani
Carmignani managed to keep Parma up that time, and even won the Coppa Italia as a bonus, beating Juventus FC in the final a few days before allowing Cesare Prandelli to take the helm. That departure earned him the nickname 'Cincinnato' - a reference to a Roman dictator who, after a victorious campaign, returned to his private life in the countryside rather than basking in his glory.

'Logical solution'
The wily 59-year-old campaigner has now been called on to perform a similar act of heroism. "We could not risk choosing the wrong coach," explained Parma managing director Luca Baraldi. "So we went for the most logical solution. Carmignani can work well with young players, is open-minded and a great person overall."

Budget disaster
Last season, the first since the financial collapse of Parmalat - the food group which had backed Parma - decimated the club's budget, the team managed to finish fifth in Serie A. This club's low-budget policy has been less successful this season, but Carmignani is confident that Parma can recover.

Confident coach
"I'm crazy in love with this club and this town," said Carmignani, as he stepped into the firing line again. "So I'm always available to try to help Parma whenever they call me. This is a young team but there's a lot of quality and enthusiasm in the squad."

Best XI
The new coach is expected to change the rotation system used by Baldini in the first three UEFA Cup games and field his best possible XI against Besiktas. "Qualification would be a great boost for the morale of the team," he said. "The environment is very good. We have all the ingredients to play good football here."

Obscurity knocks
A former goalkeeper who won the Scudetto in 1971/72 with Juventus before losing his place to Dino Zoff the following summer, 'Cincinnato' Carmignani will probably return to work away from the spotlight next summer even if he manages to save Parma as he did three years ago.

Grand farewell
In this case the Marcia Trionfale (Triumphal March) from Aida, written by Parma-born composer Giuseppe Verdi, would be the most appropriate soundtrack for his farewell.