CHAPTER 1 Liverpool's Mark Lawrenson left challenges Massimo Bonini of Juventus during the 1985 European Cup final A DREAM REALIZED Michel Platini knew he could make history with one kick The Juventus star and his teammates were facing Liverpool in the final of the 1985 European Cup Juventus based in Turin was one of the most successful teams in the history of Italian soccer But the club's supporters had to be wondering if they'd have their hearts broken again After all in the previous 12 years Juventus had reached the European Cup final twice Both games ended in 1 0 defeats Two years after the second crushing loss Juventus was back in the final Liverpool was the defending European champion 5
The Juventus players knew a victory against the English power would not come easily The teams met at Heysel Stadium in Brussels Belgium The day began in violence and tragedy Before the game a fight erupted in the stands When Liverpool fans charged the Juventus section a wall collapsed In the end 39 people died and more FAST FACT Giovanni Trapattoni who managed Juventus to the European championship in 1985 won the European Cup title as a player with AC Milan in 1963 and 1969 than 600 were injured It was one of the worst examples of the fan violence that plagued European soccer in the 1980s The tragedy eventually resulted in many changes that improved fan safety Despite calls to postpone the game it began after a two-hour delay After 56 minutes of scoreless play Rescuers search for victims at Heysel Stadium after fans of Liverpool and Juventus rioted in the stands Juventus got the break it needed The referee ruled that a Juventus player had been fouled in the penalty area 7
