The 1996-97 campaign delivered a season of soaring ambition for Parma as Il Crociati finished a spectacular 2nd in Serie A, their best-ever league position, narrowly missing out on the Scudetto by just two points. Leading the charge was the clinical striker Enrico Chiesa, whose 14 league goals proved vital in a campaign built on the tactical guidance of young manager Carlo Ancelotti and the sensational emergence of future legends Lilian Thuram, Fabio Cannavaro, and the 18-year-old Gianluigi Buffon in goal. It was a standout year that marked the team's closest attempt yet to win the Italian title and remains a defining chapter in the club's 'miracles' era.