1993/94: Arsenal frustrate Parma's 'double' hopes

Arsenal FC 1-0 Parma AC
Parken Stadium, Copenhagen

Parma AC became the sixth club to fail to win two consecutive finals when they were beaten in Copenhagen by Arsenal FC. George Graham’s side had raised eyebrows with a 7-0 away win over R. Standard de Liège in the second round, but were more renowned for their defensive qualities with goalkeeper David Seaman protected by Lee Dixon, Steve Bould, Tony Adams and Nigel Winterburn. One home goal by Adams gave them a 1-0 aggregate victory over Torino Calcio in the quarter-finals and, after a 1-1 draw in France, a home goal by Kevin Campbell beat Paris Saint-Germain FC to secure a place in the final.

Haifa heartache
Parma AC’s title defence almost ended in the second round where, after winning 1-0 in Israel, they were beaten 1-0 at home by Maccabi Haifa. Gianfranco Zola missed an extra-time penalty but three Israelis failed from the spot during the penalty shoot-out and the Italians scraped through. After two top-class performances against AFC Ajax in the quarter-finals, they were beaten 2-1 by SL Benfica in Lisbon and it was a late header by Roberto Sensini in Parma which put them in the final.

Arsenal win tactical battle
A crowd of 34,000 witnessed a tense, tactical battle. Parma’s Tomas Brolin hit the post early on but, in the 20th minute, Lorenzo Minotti mis-hit an overhead clearance and Alan Smith beat Luca Bucci with a left-footed volley. The ‘Gunners’ then invited Nevio Scala’s side to come at them but, by shackling Zola and Faustino Asprilla, defended their lead and became the fourth London club to win the trophy.