Parma took a giant step towards a place in the UEFA Cup final with a 3-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in a thrilling contest in Madrid last night.

Enrico Chiesa scored two and Hernan Crespo the third. Chiesa owed his first goal, after 13 minutes, to Argentinian international midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron, who surged down the middle of the field before feeding Chiesa, who chipped goalkeeper Francisco Molina.

Atletico hit back after 21 minutes when Juninho scored from the spot after Parma's Lilian Thuram was adjudged to have fouled striker Jose Mari.

Once more Veron was the instigator when Chiesa made it 2-1 five minutes before the interval. Veron's corner was headed by Chiesa against the bar but he lashed the rebound into the roof of the net.

Crespo scored the third after Stefano Fiore hopelessly miscued his shot which spun straight across the area for Crespo's first-time flick to go through Molina's legs.

Juninho's second penalty in the 73rd minute, after Thuram was again ruled to have impeded Jose Mari, was saved by Gianluigi Buffon.

In the other semi-final first round a determined Bologna battled hard for a 0-0 draw in Marseille.

The Italians looked the better side in the first half although, roared on by the 60,000 Stade Velodrome crowd, Marseille had most of the play after the break, but striker Christophe Dugarry had a disappointing game and was substituted.