During summer Swedish manager Sven-Göran Eriksson left the club to manage Benfica. Then, the club appointed Bruno Giorgi who has fired on 1 May 1990. New coach Francesco Graziani, manage the team avoiding relegation to 1990-91 Serie B with a 4-1 against Atalanta B.C. in the last round of the League tournament.
In Coppa Italia the team won over Licata, in second round eliminated Como 1907, reaching the semifinals stage, being eliminated by MaradonaS.S.C. Napoli's.
In UEFA Cup the squad eliminated Atletico Madrid, Sochaux, Dinamo Kyiv, AJ Auxerre and Werder Bremen, reaching the Final against Juventus, being the first Italian final in the history of UEFA tournaments. The team was defeated after two legs, included a fans riot in Avellino a location appointed by UEFA after a previous riot in semifinals against Werder Bremen.[1][2]
The club disputed three finals in three UEFA tournaments in its history: European Cup (on 31 May 1957 lost against Real Madrid), UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (on 17 and 27 May 1961 defeated Glasgow Rangers and lost against Atletico Madrid on 5 September 1962) and UEFA Cup (on 2 and 16 May 1990 lost against Juventus).[3]
One day after the 1990 UEFA Cup Final match lost, the Pontello announced the transfer out of Roberto Baggio to Juventus. Then, a roit of the viola fans erupted in Firenze with attacks to the club owners home. The riot was out of control several days including Viola fans arrests.[4]