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Serie A Week 25 - 27/2/08 (19.30 UK)
Parma - Udinese

Stadio Tardini

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Unpredictable Udinese arrive at the Stadio Tardini on Wednesday night to take on a desperate Parma side fighting for their Serie A lives.

It promises to be some encounter if they relive their weekend exploits after both were involved in eight-goal thrillers. Parma collected a wild 4-4 draw at Torino, while the Bianconeri lost 5-3 at home to Genoa – the second time this term that they have conceded five goals at home.

Although the Gialloblu collected a point on Saturday evening, it would have been viewed like a defeat by fans. Having taken a 4-1 first half lead, the former Parmalat-backed outfit were looking good for a first League win since their 3-0 over Reggina back in Week 16. It wasn’t to be, though, as Toro hit back to secure an unlikely draw which increased the pressure on under-fire boss Mimmo Di Carlo.

To make matters worse for the former Vicenza midfielder, he’ll be without Andrea Gasbarroni in midweek. The winger netted twice in the Olimpico at the weekend, but also collected a yellow card which rules him out on Wednesday. On the positive side, Daniele Dessena is available again after his suspension but that may not be enough for a starting shirt.

Di Carlo is expected to revert to two strikers for this one. Cristiano Lucarelli and Bernardo Corradi, who both didn’t start in Week 24, are expected to lead the line. It’s unclear at this stage whether Giulio Falcone will be ready to start after coming away from the Turin trip with a small knock.

Things are undoubtedly uncomfortable for Di Carlo, but opposite number Pasquale Marino isn’t a happy man either. Hailed as a genius following Udinese’s marvellous start to the campaign, there may be no fairytale ending for the Bianconeri. Their latest loss was their third from their last four games and their Champions League dream seems to be quickly evaporating.

“Every time we are asked to take the step up in quality, we don’t deliver,” conceded Fabio Quagliarella after Marco Borriello thumped a hat-trick past them on Sunday. “We need to be more hungry,” added Marino. “Let’s just hope this defeat will teach us a lesson.”

The ex-Catania tactician has no suspensions to worry about, but injury will see him again robbed of Raffaele De Martino, Gyan Asamoah, Christian Obodo and Giandomenico Mesto. Cristian Zapata may return to the side after not making the Genoa tie, while Simone Pepe will probably replace Antonio Floro Flores in attack.

Keep an eye on: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese) – He’s been the most in-form Udinese attacker recently and bagged a brace on Sunday against Genoa. He’ll now be hoping to turn his goals into points.

Last season: Parma 0-3 Udinese

Form guide: Parma (D L D D D) Udinese (D L L W L)


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Parma (probable): Bucci; Zenoni, Rossi, Couto, Castellini; Reginaldo, Morrone, Cigarini, Pisanu; Corradi, Lucarelli

Udinese (probable): Handanovic; Zapata, Felipe, Lukovic; Ferronetti, D’Agostino, Inler, Dossena; Pepe, Quagliarella, Di Natale

Ref: To follow...

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