How Roma broke a long drought to claim the 2000–01 Scudetto
In short: In a season defined by shifting regulations and passport scandals, Roma finally reclaimed the summit of Italian football. While Juventus remained a defensive powerhouse, the title race concluded with a historic victory for the capital club, ending a nearly two-decade wait for their third league championship.
The 2000–01 Serie A season, known commercially as Serie A TIM, was the 99th edition of Italy's premier football league. It featured 18 teams competing in a round-robin format, a structure that had been in place since 1988–89. The campaign was ultimately defined by Roma's triumph, marking their first league title since the 1982–83 season and their third overall. This victory allowed them to join Juventus in the initial group stage of the following year's UEFA Champions League.
The competitive landscape was complicated by significant regulatory changes and legal investigations. Mid-season, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) abolished the strict quota system that had previously restricted clubs to five non-EU players in a squad and a maximum of three per match. This deregulation coincided with a major scandal involving players from South America and Cameroon using fraudulent passports to bypass nationality rules. High-profile figures, including Milan's Dida and Inter's Álvaro Recoba, faced bans ranging from six months to a year, though most penalties were later reduced.
While Roma celebrated at the top, the battle to avoid relegation was decided by the narrowest of margins. While Vicenza, Napoli, and Bari were relegated automatically, Hellas Verona managed to stay in the top flight by defeating Reggina in a tie-breaker, winning on the away goals rule. Meanwhile, Juventus proved to be the most difficult team to score against, conceding only 27 goals throughout the entire campaign, whereas Bari struggled significantly, conceding 68 goals.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2000–01 Serie A
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