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Serie A Week 27 - 9/3/08 (14.00 UK)
Parma - Sampdoria

Stadio Tardini

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Parma and Sampdoria will meet on Sunday afternoon at the Stadio Ennio Tardini hoping for a win, but for very different reasons. While the Gialloblu are fighting against relegation, the Blucerchiati have still got a chance to qualify for the UEFA Cup.

Antonio Cassano won’t be following his teammates to Parma, since he has been suspended for five games after his disgraceful behaviour last weekend. Sampdoria have decided they won’t appeal against the sentence. But while this is a suitable punishment for the former Real Madrid man, the Liguri will undoubtedly miss him on the pitch.

Last week’s round was negative for Parma. The Crociati suffered a 4-0 defeat by hand of Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. “It was a pity because we played well for 60 minutes and then the Giallorossi came out,” said Coach Mimmo Di Carlo. “We must win against Samp now.” Parma are currently fifth from bottom with 25 points, only one above the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, Sampdoria were held 2-2 by Torino and should have probably done better. They are seventh with 36 points, three behind sixth-placed Udinese. Coach Walter Mazzarri is now hoping for a positive result on Sunday afternoon. “It will be a tough game, but we will do our best,” he said.

Di Carlo should be able to count on the full squad for this tie, apart from injured Domenico Morfeo. The Gialloblu boss could name an unchanged line-up. In defence Marco Rossi and Fernando Couto should be reconfirmed, with Giulo Falcone on the bench. Daniele Dessena will start in midfield, while Andrea Pisanu will be left out.

In attack it looks like Andrea Gasbarroni behind Igor Budan. The Croatian striker is set to play even if Di Carlo could opt to give Cristiano Lucarelli the starting shirt.

Mazzarri is hoping to recover defender Pietro Accardi, since the Blucerchiati injury list is on the lengthy side. Mirko Pieri won’t be able to play, while Luigi Sala is suspended. Stefano Lucchini should start in defence, while there are plenty of options in the midfield. Paolo Sammarco, Angelo Palombo and Sergio Volpi are fit but the latter could be left on the bench.

Vincenzo Montella, Claudio Bellucci and Cassano are all out so the attacking duo should be formed by towering striker Emiliano Bonazzoli and Gennaro Delvecchio.

Keep an eye on: Emiliano Bonazzoli (Sampdoria) – The former Parma player will lead the Blucerchiati attacking package and will be hoping to net his first goal of the season…

Last season: Parma 0-1 Sampdoria

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


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Parma (probable): Bucci; Coly, Couto, Rossi, Zenoni; Dessena, Morrone, Cigarini, Castellini; Gasbarroni; Budan

Sampdoria (probable): Castellazzi; Lucchini, Gastaldello, Accardi; Maggio, Sammarco, Palombo, Franceschini, Ziegler; Delvecchio, Bonazzoli

Ref: To follow...

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