Cup Winners' Cup 1984

By winning the Coppa Italia against Verona in ’82-83, Juventus secured their place in the following season’s Cup Winners’ Cup. The first round was straightforward: Lechia Gdańsk folded under an avalanche of goals (7-0) at the Comunale, with striker Penzo netting four times. This victory was followed up with a 3-2 success in Gdańsk, where Vignola, Tavola and Boniek netted a goal each. A much tougher test was the clash in the last 16 against French side Paris St. Germain. It finished 2-2 in France amid an exciting atmosphere. In the second leg Juve sat back to defend the 0-0 that would guarantee them qualification. The quarter-finals presented an easier opponent, FC Haka of Finland, but Juve failed to shine and had to make do with two 1-0 victories. Vignola sealed the win in the away leg, while Tardelli scored the only goal at home, securing a safe passage through to the semi-finals. 

A tough game against Manchester United awaited the Bianconeri. Bryan Robson and his team mates were held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Manchester, which made the return leg appear a formality. It proved not to be the case. The Reds, who fell behind to a Boniek goal, refused to give up and drew level a few minutes before the end, but it was Rossi who scored the winner with extra time looming. Juve had reached the final. 

In Basle, the 16th May 1984, Juve met Porto. Trapattoni sent the following side into battle: Tacconi, Gentile Cabrini; Bonini Brio Scirea; Vignola Tardelli Rossi Platini Boniek. The fear of Athens vanished after a few minutes. Vignola flung himself into an impossible position and connected with Platini’s pass to make it 1-0. However, the lead didn’t last long: Sousa struck the shot of his life, which flew past Tacconi from the edge of the area. 1-1, all to play for. Boniek then stepped up to the plate in the 41st minute, finding the strength of mind and physical presence to scamper free of his opponents and make it 2-1. The score remained the same after the break, resulting in triumph and praise for captain Scirea and his team mates, dressed in yellow and blue, in a sea of black and white flags. The historic double had been sealed.