Upon returning to Serie A, Strömberg became team captain, and Atalanta brought in young goalkeeper Fabrizio Ferron—who would perform consistently at the club for eight seasons—and Brazilian forward Evair. In its first season after being promoted, Atalanta finished sixth in Serie A in 1989 and qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first time in its history. On its debut, however, the club was eliminated by Russian club Spartak Moscow in the first round, drawing 0–0 at home before losing 2–0 in Moscow. Atalanta also reached the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia, losing 6–3 on aggregate to eventual winner Sampdoria. In the 1989–90 season, Atalanta further reinforced its attack by bringing in Argentine international forward Claudio Caniggia; the club finished seventh in Serie A and earned a second consecutive UEFA cup qualification. Among other exploits in the league, in the 1988–89 and 1989–90 seasons, Atalanta achieved back-to-back away victories (both 1–0) against Juventus; Atalanta has not defeated Juventus away since then. Atalanta also nearly reached the semi-finals of the 1989–90 Coppa Italia, though was controversially eliminated in the group stage in a 1–1 draw against Milan, following an episode that was widely viewed as unsportsmanlike and that has since fueled the rivalry between the two clubs' supporters.