Tonight we’ll get to see a clash of two historic clubs in Serie A. Hellas Verona host Juventus. And while it may not be one of those huge Italian derbies, it’s still a rivalry that’s very much alive – and it’s because both sets of fans make it relevant regardless of league positions and current form.These two clubs go back a long way. There were all sorts of controversial incidents that are still talked about to this day. Cheating, goals scored using hands, terrible referee decisions and ultras fighting in the streets. But there was one incident that is particularly dear to Hellas fans – because it was an important step on their road to winning the 1984/85 Serie A title.Verona’s Cinderella Elkjaer (©Gallo Images)Ahead of that season, Hellas pulled off a remarkable transfer coup. They secured the signature of big Danish striker Preben Elkjaer from Belgian club Lokeren. He was a target for Real Madrid and AC Milan, but he chose to join Gialloblu, the yellow-blues of Verona.It was the strong Dane who scored one of those goals that would remain in fans’ memories forever. Playing against Juventus at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, Elkjaer broke away by the left sideline with just one thing on his mind: how to get within shooting distance of Juve’s net.##NAJAVA_MECA_5938870##With reigning champions from Turin already a goal down, Elkjaer saw an opportunity to land the final blow and knock out the Zebras. A certain Stefano Pioli, who is now the head coach of AC Milan, tried to stop the attacker – but all he could do is take the boot off Elkjaer’s foot with his attempted tackle. The striker didn’t even think about stopping. He just kept running with the ball before slamming the ball beyond helpless goalkeeper Stefano Tacconi.The goal against Juventus was the stuff of fairy tales. It’s no wonder the fans gave Preben the cutest of nicknames – Cinderella.
“I immediately realized that I had lost my boot but, in that moment, I just wanted to shoot and score, I didn’t calculate anything else. the next day I didn’t think it had been such an original thing, only over time did I realize the importance of this gesture. It is wonderful that that goal can still be remembered after so many years. – he adds – There are few goals that remain in people’s minds after so long. In that match I was particularly happy because we beat a strong team like Juventus. I was very proud.”The Scudetto won that season remains the only major trophy won by the Gialloblu. After all the years that have passed, everything around it received a mythical status. The goals, the wins, the feeling around Bentegodi. I Butei, Veronese term for “the boys”, don’t really believe that they’ll ever be champions of Italy again, but they are proud to remember the glorious 1980s – and to remind Juventus faithful of the day they conceded a goal from Cinderella.SERIE A – Round 11Saturday16.00: (2.00) Atalanta (3.70) Lazio (3.90)Sat 18:00: (4.40) Verona (3.50) Juventus (1.95)Sat 20:45: (1.85) Torino (3.70) Sampdoria (4.60)Sunday14.30: (1.33) Inter (5.70) Udinese (10.0)17.00: (2.15) Genoa (3.40) Venezia (3.70)17.00: (1.80) Sassuolo (3.80) Empoli (4.80)17.00: (1.55) Fiorentina (4.40) Spezia (6.50)20.00: (9.00) Salernitana (5.60) Napoli (1.35)22.45: (2.50) Roma (3.40) Milan (3.00)Monday22.45: (1.88) Bologna (3.70) Cagliari (4.40)***odds are subject to change