In a recent interview with Repubblica, former Perugia defender Giovanni Calori recounted the memorable and controversial rain-soaked match against Juventus in 2000, where his goal played a key role in denying the Bianconeri the Scudetto. Calori, a lifelong Juventus fan who admired Gaetano Scirea, described the game not just as a match, but as a “sign of destiny.”
He vividly recalled the surreal atmosphere: “It was absurd, we lived inside a bubble.” The game was halted for an extraordinary hour and fifteen minutes between halves due to the severe downpour. He described the confusion, with referee Collina seeking guidance while players waited in a flooded tunnel. Calori felt that once he scored after the restart, the Juventus players immediately sensed they had fallen victim to an inescapable curse.
Recounting his famous goal, Calori explained: “A short clearance from Conte, the ball came towards me, I controlled it with my chest and volleyed it into the corner.” He noted its difficulty, mentioning that the ball wouldn`t have bounced if he`d let it drop and that goalkeeper Van der Sar, screened by Montero, didn`t see it – calling it “unstoppable.”
Calori dismissed rumors that Perugia players were asked to slow down during the delay, stating everyone was simply silent and incredulous. He revealed that scoring the goal was a personal “redemption” after months of being falsely accused and branded a “traitor” due to unfounded suspicions about an anonymous letter regarding alleged match-fixing from the previous season. He saw the goal as his “compensation after terrible months,” reinforcing his belief in destiny.
Looking back on the unprecedented pause, Calori conceded, “Juventus weren`t entirely wrong to complain… Such a long break had never been witnessed, it would be impossible to imagine today.” He viewed the torrential rain itself symbolically, suggesting the “water came down from the sky to wash away many things, including the nastiness said about me.”