Memory Lane calls for Milosevic
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Article summary
Savo Milošević is returning to old club Parma FC for a decisive UEFA Cup Group D game that CA Osasuna need a point from to progress to the next round.
Article body
CA Osasuna striker Savo Milošević is looking forward to returning to former club Parma FC for a decisive UEFA Cup tie tonight.
Changed side
The Serbian international striker spent 18 months at the Ennio Tardini stadium between 2000 and 2002, scoring nine goals in 31 league appearances. Now a firm favourite in Pamplona, the 33-year-old admitted he had not been keeping close tabs on his old side, who are already confirmed as winners of Group D. "It is a very different team now to the one that I played in," he said. "I do not know much at all about their current side. Things have changed so much there that I really do know about the players or coach."
Austere times
Parma are certainly not the club they were in Milošević's time. Heavy investment from sponsors Parmalat helped them to a UEFA Cup and Italian Cup double in 1999 and the Italian Cup again in 2002. But financial problems, at around the time of Milošević's departure on loan to Real Zaragoza, have brought changes.
Similar clubs
"Parma are quite a small club by Italian standards," explained Milošević. "They had a few years where everything went very well and the results were marvellous, but the city and their set-up is similar to things here at Osasuna. I remember I was treated very well and since leaving the club I've retained some very fond memories of my time there."
Footballing nomad
Having started his career at FK Partizan, Milošević has gained a reputation as a footballing nomad, rarely settling for long. He spent three seasons in England with Aston Villa FC after joining the Birmingham club in 1995 and subsequently played for Zaragoza, Parma, RCD Espanyol, RC Celta de Vigo and Osasuna - whom he joined in the summer of 2004.
Settled striker
Milošević has been more settled at Osasuna than at most other times in his career, becoming a cult figure at the club, where he has struck 20 goals in 69 league appearances. He will doubtless be even more happy with his lot if the Spanish team can grab the point they need to ensure their progress to the Round of 32 against his former employers tonight.
