06 January 2023
The captain raising the Champions League trophy to the sky - this is the image that best illustrates what Vialli gave to Juventus: the thought of winning tied to the ferocious will to make that thought reality.
Gianluca's path saw him shine of five key moments in his four seasons at the Bianconeri.
FIRST TASTE OF SUCCESS
Gianluca arrived in Turin with the disappointment of having missed out on the European Cup at Wembley with Sampdoria. Joining Giovanni Trapattoni's Juve offered him the opportunity to heal that wound - and the first success arrived in Europe.
In 1993 the Bianconeri lifted the UEFA Cup and Vialli participated fully in the journey, scoring five goals. The last was the penalty converted in Lisbon, against Benfica (in the photo), but even more important was his assist for Roberto Baggio in Dortmund in the first leg of the final against Borussia.
"We've won a cup but we mustn't stop here," was the captain's comment on the success the team had obtained.
RECLAIMING THE SCUDETTO
Juventus had not claimed the league title since 1986. With the arrival of Marcello Lippi the goal was clear - Juve could wait no longer. Vialli had already conquered the Serie A crown with Sampdoria, a historic feat made possible also by the light-heartedness of those who accomplished it.
The pressures in Turin were different, but the team in season 1994-95 rode a wave of enthusiasm that had engulfed the whole environment. Day after day everyone involved understood how much the making the dream come true was becoming a real possibility. Also because Gianluca hit the back of the net 17 times - including on the day of the title party, when he too scored in the 4-0 win over Parma (in the photo).
DOUBLING UP WITH THE ITALIAN CUP
In 1994-95 season Juve were active on three fronts, always battling it out against the same opponent, Parma. If the Scudetto was won by Juve, the side from Emilia collected the UEFA Cup, despite Vialli scoring a masterpiece of a goal – one of the best in his career – in the second leg of the final.
The deciding trophy - so to speak - went to the Lady, who lifted the Italian Cup for the first league and cup double since 1960. "Ferrara and Vialli were the cement that held Lippi's first Juve together," declared one of their teammates Massimo Carrera. Vialli was the captain of an insatiable team, which was still hungry for more success.
THE MATCH-WINNER
There was a trophy that Vialli not only won, but actually decided the outcome of in the final. And it was a historic moment because the Italian Super Cup had never been put on display in the club's trophy cabinet until then. Juventus-Parma was resolved by the captain.
It was the beginning of 1996, the dress rehearsal of what would happen a few months later in Rome...
TEARS OF JOY IN ROME
"In my years at Juventus, a club director never came to me to say, 'Remember, play well today'. The saying was 'Remember to win today,' over and over again."
Vialli's match against Ajax was not one of his best performances. The Champions League final, decided on penalties, saw him fight like a lion without being able to score, despite the team creating many chances. Also for this reason the final victory had a special flavour, it was after all a just reward for dominating the 120 minutes with the opponents.
For Gianluca this was his last game with Juventus. it was impossible to imagine a more beautiful and exciting ending, his tears of tension and joy were those shared by millions of people.
