The return of Juninho to the Riverside Stadium today will bring back memories of two cup finals and a relegation. The little Brazilian’s former team-mate Fabrizio Ravanelli remembers that inglorious season well and, in a rare interview, Italian journalist Federico Farcomeni learned how the former striker dreams of coaching Middlesbrough one day

WHEN Boro face Blackburn today, former legend Juninho will be in the stands at the Riverside to revive the good old days.

Just like 18 years ago this week, in the fourth round of the League Cup against Newcastle United, he combined beautifully with former team-mate Fabrizio Ravanelli, who in turn served an assist for Danish striker Mikkel Beck, before converting one himself courtesy of his little Brazilian team-mate.

Just a few weeks later the decision was taken to postpone a game at Blackburn at short notice, leading to the FA dishing out a penalty which ultimately sealed the fate of Bryan Robson’s side in the May. Middlesbrough were heading out of the Premier League, it was a real knock-out blow.

“In fact, we managed to avoid relegation that year,” Ravanelli recalls. “But the Football Association gave us a three-point deduction because we did not play a game at Blackburn as we did not have enough players that day.”

That Middlesbrough side had started the season on a high, refreshed by the arrival of some glamorous signings like Brazilian midfielder Emerson and European champion Ravanelli.

The white-haired Italian said: “It was not my choice. Middlesbrough offered Juventus a lot of money and, understandably, they could not refuse it. At the beginning I was disappointed about it, but then a new exciting experience started."

The thrilling 3-3 against Liverpool felt like a sign of things to come, before the season eventually turned sour after his debut day hat-trick at the Riverside.

He said: “It was absolutely thrilling. That debut has since been nominated the best ever in the history of the Premier League. This makes me incredibly happy and proud. Scoring three goals against Liverpool is something you can just dream of. It was really exciting.”

Boro infamously reached and lost both cup finals during that 1996-97 season before going down, with Juninho in tears and Ravanelli left devastated.

Extraordinary as it might seem, it’s worth noting that European giants Borussia Dortmund are suffering a similar situation in Germany this season, as they top their group in the Champions League, whilst they are third from bottom in the Bundesliga.

Likewise, Boro seemed to find relief in knock-out competitions, away from the pressures of the Premier League, where they were expected to deliver at least a European berth given the ambitious signings chairman Steve Gibson had sanctioned on Teesside.

Boro fans witnessed a combined total of 111 goals at both ends of the pitch over the course of that ill-fated season but the main problem for Robson’s team lay at the back as Penna Bianca – the White Feather - explained: “Defensively, we were not good enough. We did not even have a proper place to train and prepare the games.

“The team were built in the wrong way. Apart from me, Juninho and Emerson we didn't really have a squad and the quality needed to avoid relegation."

Looking at the Aitor Karanka’s current crop of players trying to secure promotion back to the Premier League, Ravanelli thinks Middlesbrough have all the credentials to be in the top two positions come May.

“Yes, absolutely they can be back in the Premier League. They have a very good chance to do it, because they can rely on a competitive squad,” he said. “Furthermore, they have a talented manager in Aitor Karanka, who is doing a great job, and they have a solid chairmanship. They can definitely achieve their goals and come back to the league they deserve.”

Ravanelli had a spell as coach at Ajaccio in France where, similarly to his Boro days, things promised to be much better after a few decent performances, before he got sacked in November last year after a 3-1 home loss against Valenciennes.

The team was eventually relegated to Ligue 2, but the 45-year-old defended his job in Corsica. He said: “Despite the dismissal, I think I did a great job there. Honestly, I believe I performed miracles with that squad.

“Any other manager could not have done better than me. And when I left the club, the team paid the price. I worked very hard every single day and we achieved good results.

“We drew in Paris against PSG, we beat Lyon, to name just a few scalps. I am fairly happy about how I did there. That’s why I would like to go back to France to show who I am with a stronger team.”

England, too, is on the former striker’s agenda, having also spent time at Derby County after moving on to Marseille and Lazio following his 12 months in the North-East.

Ravanelli said: “Another dream obviously would be coaching Middlesbrough. I genuinely love that club and fans have always been great with me. I believe that Middlesbrough is ideal to work well.

“It is a city that lives for football, a fantastic place to strive for success. I have really fond memories and I hope to go back there someday. I would coach Boro in any category.

“It does not matter if it is in the Premier League, Championship or League One. I would come back right now but as I mentioned before Karanka is doing a fantastic job and he deserves to be there.”

l Fabrizio Ravanelli was talking to Marco Anselmi and Filippo Benincampi in Italy ahead of the Serie A clash between two of his former clubs, Lazio and Juventus.