The 2001-02 campaign was a miracle season for Chievo Verona, delivering a spectacular 5th-place finish in their first-ever Serie A campaign. Widely tipped for immediate relegation, 'I Mussi Volanti' (The Flying Donkeys) defied all expectations, playing entertaining, offensive football under manager Luigi Delneri and even topping the league table for six memorable weeks. Leading the attack was Massimo Marazzina, whose 13 crucial goals fired the team to a highly respectable finish and secured a coveted spot in the UEFA Cup, a monumental achievement that remains a defining chapter in the club's history.. The 2002-03 campaign saw the "Flying Donkeys" (Gialloblu) consolidate their status in the Serie A elite, securing a respectable 7th-place finish under manager Luigi Delneri. Leading the attack was the local hero, Federico Cossato, whose 9 league goals proved vital in a campaign built on grit and exciting football. The season was memorable for their shock 3-2 victory over AC Milan and a decisive 1-0 away win against Roma, though their European debut ended with a quick elimination from the UEFA Cup. It was a solid year that cemented Chievo's reputation as a Serie A dark horse and remains a defining chapter of the "Verona Miracle" era.