On September 22, 2002, the Olimpico in Rome played a match between the Giallorossi and Modena, who returned to Serie A that same year after a long journey. The appointment is on the third day of Serie A, with Gianni De Biasi’s canaries who immediately go behind due to a goal by Francesco Totti. It seems like the end of a dream for the three thousand fans, but it is the beginning of an unforgettable afternoon. The equalizer is signed by Omar Milanetto, a midfielder who will then find an excellent career also at Genoa, only to then score the winning point with Giuseppe Sculli. It is a historic success for the Emilians who will be saved at the end of that year.
However, it is the beginning of a ride, albeit a provincial one. Thirty-eight years after the last time, the canaries play in Serie A and are saved without any particular problems, also winning the derby against Bologna, another historic date. The Curva on more than one occasion sings the chant “De Biasi bring us to Europe”, even if that year will end in twelfth place, with the coach who will go to Brescia after four seasons in Modena.
The following year will not be so full of satisfactions. The team was entrusted to Alberto Malesani first and then Gianfranco Bellotto, arriving in eighteenth place and being relegated.