3/1 To Win
Whilst circumstances currently mean there’s no live football to enjoy, dcfc.co.uk is delving into the archives to feature a photograph from Derby County’s illustrious history.
Every day for the foreseeable future, we’ll provide you an image for supporters to enjoy and reminisce.
Asanovic Scores His First Derby County Goal As Jim Smith’s Side Defeat Sunderland
Pictured here is former Derby County midfielder Aljosa Asanovic celebrating his first goal for the club in a home victory over Sunderland in September 1996.
The former Croatian international scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot as the Rams ran out 1-0 winners at the Baseball Ground.
The victory for Jim Smith’s side was their first in the top flight on home turf since their promotion, having won 2-1 at Blackburn Rovers in their previous fixture to record their first win of the campaign.
Asanovic’s time at Derby was brief, a year and a half in total between the summer of 1996 and December 1997, but he certainly made a big impact following his arrival from Hajduk Split.
He linked up with the Rams as they stepped up to the top-flight and was instrumental as Derby retained their Premiership status, appearing 38 times and scoring six goals.
However, he was less influential in his second season and after just five appearances he moved to Italy to join Napoli in the lead-up to the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.
Derby finished the 1996/97 season in 12th place in the Premiership table.
Look out for tomorrow’s Snapshot in Time across dcfc.co.uk – and remember you can suggest an image by getting in touch via the club’s social media channels.
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