Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast-Episode 146 (Interview with American Author and Journalist Mr. Clemente Lisi discussing Napoli’s victory in the 1988/89 UEFA Cup)

This is the 146^th episode of my podcast with Mr. Paul Whittle of https://the1888letter.com/, @1888letter.

 

For this episode, we interview American Author and Journalist Mr. Clemente Lisi, discussing Napoli’s UEFA Cup winning run in 1988/89 season.

 

Mr. Lisi has been a Journalist for the likes of New York Post and the New York Daily News. He ha also worked as Senior Editor for ABCNews.com. Mr. Lisi is also a contributor to Religion Unplugged.

 

Mr. Lisi is the author of ‘The U.S. Women's Soccer Team: An American Success Story (2010)’ and his new book ‘The FIFA World Cup: A History of the Planet's Biggest Sporting Event (2022)’

 

Mr. Lisi also has a website ‘Planet Soccer’ on substack at https://planetsoccer.substack.com/

 

 For our previous discussion about Diego Maradona’s seven years at Napoli, see:

https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2024/01/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode_20.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kz8DX4p5E0

For any questions/comments, you may contact us:

You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.

https://linktr.ee/sp1873

 

Mr. Paul Whittle, @1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/

https://linktr.ee/BeforeThePremierLeague

 

You may also follow the podcast on spotify and Apple podcasts all under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’

Please leave a review, rate and subscribe if you like the podcast.

Mr. Lisi’s contact info:

Twitter: @ClementeLisi

Email: clisi@tkc.edu

Substack: https://planetsoccer.substack.com/

Link to Mr. Lisi’s books:

https://www.amazon.com/FIFA-World-Cup-History-Sporting/dp/1538156431

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TFE1GM/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1

 

Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3r6ZqhJcVObn68OUVK35DH?si=4FtitiE4RRW9Jvct6L2xyQ&nd=1&dlsi=1189051a7c4245c5

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-146-interview/id1601074369?i=1000677188667

 

Napoli in the UEFA Cup 1988/89

 

When the 1988/89 season kicked off, Napoli and Diego Maradona were to take part in the UEFA Cup.

They would have preferred the Champions Cup but a players’ mutiny against the Manager in the tail end of the 1987/88 season derailed their objectives and Silvio Berlusconi’s AC Milan won the Scudetto.

The players in question included veterans such as Salvatore Bagni, Bruno Giordano, Claudio Garella and Moreno Ferrario.

In this matter, Napoli President Corrado Ferlaino sided with his Manager Ottavio Bianchi and these players were offloaded in the offseason.

The other players who left included Luciano Sola, Paolo Miano and Giuseppe Bruscolotti (who retired).

The major new arrivals included younger players to strengthen the side. These included Brazilian midfielder Alemão (from Spanish side Atlético Madrid), Giancarlo Corradini and Massimo Crippa (both from Torino), Luca Fusi (Sampdoria), new starting goalkeeper Giuliano Giuliani (Verona) and Antonio Carannante (from Ascoli).

 

Along Maradona, the team still included the likes of Ciro Ferrara, Giovanni Francini, Alessandro Renica, Fernando De Napoli, Francesco Romano, Brazilian striker Careca and Andrea Carnevale (now a starter after the departure of Giordano).

 

However, Ottavio Bianchi was still under much criticism, most notably from Diego Maradona, who publicly attacked him on many occasions in that summer of 1988. In the end, Ferlaino had to step in and restore calm.

 

Ahead of the UEFA Cup adventure, there was the narrative about Maradona and his consistent failures on the European stage. This season would be a perfect opportunity to finally put that to rest.

 

In the First round, Napoli faced Greek side PAOK, which looked like a formality on paper. On September 7, 1988, at San Paolo, Napoli won (1-0) through a Maradona penalty kick.

For the Second Leg at Salonika, on October 5^th, Napoli came back with a (1-1) tie to advance.

 

For the Second round, Napoli took on East German side Lokomotive Leipzig. For the first leg at Leipzig on October 26, 1988, Napoli came away with a (1-1) tie.

For the Second Leg, at home, on November 9^th, Napoli won (2-0) and advanced to the next round.

Napoli had not particularly exerted themselves but had won without much trouble in these first couple of rounds.

 

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, No 46 (720), November 16-22, 1988

(November 9, 1988, UEFA Cup, Napoli 2- Lokomotive Leipzig 0)

For the Third round, Napoli faced French side Bordeaux, which included Jean Tigana and Belgian star Enzo Scifo.

For the First Leg, on November 23, 1988, at Bordeaux, Napoli came away with a (1-0) win from an early goal by Carnevale.

For the Return Leg on December 7^th, at home, Napoli kept control and held onto the scoreless tie to advance to the Quarterfinals.

 

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2225, November 29, 1988

(November 23, 1988, UEFA Cup, Bordeaux 0-Napoli 1)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, Issue 106, January 1989

(First and second legs vs. Bordeaux)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 157, January 1989

(First and second legs vs. Bordeaux)

As the season reached its midpoint, Napoli were doing well in the Serie A and scoring many goals through the attacking trident of Maradona, Careca and Carnevale.

However, this was the season that belonged to Inter of Giovanni Trapattoni, that included West German stars Lothar Matthaus and Andreas Brehme, that broke all records in that season.

While Napoli were impressive, Inter were simply better and were on their way to win the Scudetto.

Therefore, a European trophy was a more realistic objective for Napoli.

 

In the Quarterfinals, Napoli faced Serie A rivals Juventus. In the First Leg, at Turin, on February 28, 1989, Juventus earned a seemingly advantageous lead with a (2-0) win.

However, this was not the Juventus of old and Napoli were a much stronger team, and everything was at play on March 15^th at San Paolo.

Napoli were winning (2-0) in regulation time to force the match into extra time. In the last minute of extra time, Alessandro Renica scored a dramatic winner to overturn the deficit.

Perhaps at this point, Napoli knew they could win the trophy.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2239, March 7, 1989

(February 28, 1989, UEFA Cup, Juventus 2-Napoli 0)

 

In the Semifinals, Napoli faced tough opposition in West German powerhouse Bayern Munich. Napoli were undeterred and were now the favored side against such opposition.

On April 5, 1989, at home at San Paolo, Napoli won (2-0) with Maradona assisting Careca and Carnevale for their goals.

Napoli had taken a comfortable lead for the Second Leg at Munich on April 19^th.

This match is remembered for Maradona’s pre-match warmup to Opus’ ‘Live is Life’ playing on the stadium speakers.

Napoli came back with a (2-2) tie with Careca scoring twice on Maradona’s assists for Napoli to advance to the Final.

Photo From: France football, Issue 2244, April 11, 1989

(April 5, 1989, UEFA Cup, Napoli 2- Bayern Munich 0)

Photo From: France football, Issue 2244, April 11, 1989

(April 5, 1989, UEFA Cup, Napoli 2- Bayern Munich 0)

 

In the Final, they faced another West German side VfB Stuttgart, managed by Dutchman Arie Haan, and led upfront by Jurgen Klinsmann (on his way to Inter).

The First Leg was at San Paolo on May 3, 1989. Stuttgart took the lead in the 17^th minute from a long-range effort by Maurizio Gaudino that Giuliano Giuliani handled but could not hold onto.

Napoli came back in the second half and Maradona tied the match through a penalty kick in the 68^th minute. Just before the end in the 87^th minute, Careca scored the winner from Maradona’s cross.

 

The Return Leg at Stuttgart, on May 17^th was a goal fest. Alemão opened the scoring in the 18^th minute before Klinsmann tied the match in the 27^th minute.

Once Ciro Ferrara scored the second in the 39^th minute, Napoli looked likely winners as Stuttgart had to score three more goals to overturn the deficit.

The matter was beyond doubt in the 62^nd minute as Careca scored the third from yet another Maradona assist.

Stuttgart did make an effort to get back, first with an own goal by D Napoli in the 70^th minute. This was followed by an erroneous back pass by De Napoli that led to an Olaf Schmäler header to tie the match (3-3).

 

However, Napoli were always in control and the final scoreline flattered Stuttgart.

Maradona had finally won in Europe and Napoli had won a European trophy.

Maradona’s story with Napoli should have ended there in triumph.

A turbulent summer would follow for Napoli and Maradona……

 

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 5, June 1989

(First and second legs vs. Stuttgart)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 5, June 1989

(First and second legs vs. Stuttgart)

Photo From: World Soccer, June 1989

(First and second legs vs. Stuttgart)

Photo From: World Soccer, June 1989

(First and second legs vs. Stuttgart)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, No 21 (745), May 24-30, 1989

(Diego Maradona with the UEFA Cup)

 

Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli (1988/89 season):

Players who took part in these matches (on the field or on the bench):

Goalkeeper:

Giuliano Giuliani (September 29, 1958, Roma-November 14, 1996, Bologna) (aged 29-30 years old at the time)

Raffaele DiFusco (October 6, 1961, Riardo) (aged 26-27 years old at the time)

 

Defenders:

Tebaldo Bigliardi (February 5, 1963, Catanzaro) (aged 25-26 years old at the time)

Giancarlo Corradini (February 24, 1961, Sassuolo) (aged 27-28 years old at the time)

Ciro Ferrara (February 11, 1967, Naples) (aged 21-22 years old at the time)

Giovanni Francini (August 3, 1963, Massa) (aged 25 years old at the time)

Alessandro Renica (September 15, 1962, Anneville-sur-Mer, France) (aged 26 years old at the time)

Antonio Carannante (June 23, 1965, Nola) (aged 23 years old at the time)

Massimo Filardi (December 30, 1966, Salerno) (aged 21-22 years old at the time)

Giovanni Di Rocco (December 27, 1970, Naples) (aged 27-28 years old at the time)

Cosimo Portaluri (March 24, 1970, Maglie) (aged 18-19 years old at the time)

 

Midfielders:

Massimo Crippa (May 17, 1965, Seregno) (aged 23-24 years old at the time)

Fernando De Napoli (March 15, 1964, Chiusano di San Domenico) (aged 24-25 years old at the time)

Ricardo Rogério de Brito, Alemão (Brazil) (November 22, 1961, Lavras, Brazil) (aged 26-27 years old at the time)

Luca Fusi (June 7, 1963, Lecco) (aged 25 years old at the time)

Francesco Romano (April 25, 1960, Saviano) (aged 28-29 years old at the time)

Antonio Bucciarelli (August 13, 1970, Naples) (aged 18 years old at the time)

Diego Armando Maradona (Argentina) (October 30, 1960, Lanús, Argentina-November 25, 2020, Dique Luján, Argentina) (aged 27-28 years old at the time)

 

Forwards:

Antônio de Oliveira Filho, Careca (Brazil) (October 5, 1960, Araraquara, Brazil) (aged 27-28 years old at the time)

Andrea Carnevale (January 12, 1961, Monte San Biagio) (aged 27-28 years old at the time)

Maurizio Neri (March 21, 1965, Rimini) (aged 23-24 years old at the time) (arrived in November)

Simone Giacchetta (July 28, 1969, Ancona) (aged 19 years old at the time)

Marco Ferrante (February 4, 1971, Velletri) (aged 17-18 years old at the time)

 

Coach: Ottavio Bianchi (October 6, 1943, Brescia) (aged 44-45 years old at the time)

Team Captain: Diego Maradona

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Ennerre

Shirt Sponsor: Mars

 

 

Photo From: 1988-89 Calciatori Panini

(Napoli squad 1988/89)

Transfer Activity:

 

Arrivals:

Alemão (Atlético Madrid / Spain)

Antonio Carannante (Ascoli)

Giancarlo Corradini (Torino)

Massimo Crippa (Torino)

Luca Fusi (Sampdoria)

Giuliano Giuliani (Verona)

Cosimo Portaluri (Toma Maglie)

Simone Giacchetta (Civitanovese)

Maurizio Neri (Ancona) (arrived in November)

Departures:

Moreno Ferrario (AS Roma) (loaned)

Claudio Garella (Udinese)

Salvatore Bagni (Avellino)

Bruno Giordano (Ascoli) (loaned)

Paolo Miano (Pescara)

Rosario Pergolizzi (Reggina) (loaned)

Alessandro Romano (Trento Calcio 1921)

Luciano Sola (Padova)

Giuseppe Taglialatela (Palermo)

Giuseppe Bruscolotti (retired)

 

References:

France Football, Issue 2225, November 29, 1988

France Football, Issue 2227, December 13, 1988

France Football, Issue 2239, March 7, 1989

France football, Issue 2244, April 11, 1989

Guerin Sportivo, No 37 (711), September 14-20, 1988

Guerin Sportivo, No 41 (715), October 12-18, 1988

Guerin Sportivo, No 44 (718), November 1-8, 1988

Guerin Sportivo, No 46 (720), November 16-22, 1988

Guerin Sportivo, No 48 (722), November 30-December 6, 1988

Guerin Sportivo, No 50 (724), December 14-20, 1988

Guerin Sportivo, No 10 (735), March 8-14, 1989

Guerin Sportivo, No 12-13 (737), March 22-April 4, 1989

Guerin Sportivo, No 15 (739), April 12-18, 1989

Guerin Sportivo, No 17 (741), April 26-May 2, 1989

Guerin Sportivo, No 19 (744), May 10-16, 1989

Guerin Sportivo, No 21 (745), May 24-30, 1989

Mondial, new series, Issue 106, January 1989

Onze, Issue 157, January 1989

Onze-Mondial, Issue 5, June 1989

World Soccer, June 1989