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Serie A Week 30 - 22/3/08 (14.00 UK)
Siena - Parma

Stadio Franchi

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Siena’s Stadio Franchi plays host to a relegation six-pointer this weekend as Parma come to town looking to keep up their recent revival. The Gialloblu, under new Coach Hector Cuper, have picked up four points from their last two games, but they cannot afford to rest on their laurels with things looking extremely tight at the bottom of the table.

The home side, however, have seen their recent good run stalled this week after being hammered by fellow strugglers Reggina and then held in midweek by Catania. Nonetheless, they still sit three points ahead of their opponents on Saturday, with Coach Mario Beretta knowing that two more victories should be enough to keep them in the top flight. And that will be a positive thing for Italian football as, despite the same old stereotyping about the defensive nature of the League, a club of Siena’s size still opt to play with two strikers and a trequartista. In short, entertainment is not in short supply at the Tuscan outfit.

Beretta is boosted going into this game as he can call upon Simone Loria after suspension, with the central defender likely to be recalled in place of Andrea Rossi. On-loan Juventus full-back Paolo De Ceglie also looks set for a return to the starting XI, Daniele Ficagna being the unlucky player to make way, while the highly-rated Fernandro Forestieri could come in for Houssine Kharja with Tomas Locatelli dropping into a deeper role to accommodate the youngster.

Under Mimmo Di Carlo, Parma looked like they were heading to Serie B after struggling to put together a string of decent results. But with Argentine tactician Cuper at the helm they have already picked up a fantastic win over Palermo, despite playing much of the game with 10 men after McDonald Mariga’s wayward tackling saw him collect two needless yellow cards. Igor Budan, who has had an injury-hit campaign, netted both the goals – the second of which was a disputable penalty – to double his Serie A tally.

The Croatian hitman could form a battering ram of a strike duo with Bernardo Corradi and it is likely that the bruise brothers will be together from the start once again as Cuper sticks with his favoured 4-4-2 system. With two flying wingers in the form of Reginaldo and Andrea Gasbarroni, they should get plenty of service. The only change likely to be made from the side which beat Palermo 2-1 is set to come in midfield, with the suspended Mariga replaced by Daniele Dessena.

If previous meetings between the sides are anything to go by, those of you who fancy a cheeky punt are advised not to go with Siena as the Tuscan minnows have failed to beat Parma in nine Serie A attempts. The Ducali only have three wins to their name though, the most recent of which came almost a year ago to the day courtesy of an early goal by Gasbarroni. Earlier this season the game finished all-square thanks to Daniele Galloppa’s last-gasp equaliser for the Robur.

Keep an eye on: Massimo Maccarone (Siena) – The bald-headed hitman had an unsuccessful loan spell with Parma so he will be desperate to show the Ducali what they are missing.

Last season: Siena 2-2 Parma

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


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Siena (probable): Manninger; Rossettini, Loria, Portanova, De Ceglie; Coppola, Galloppa, Jarolim; Locatelli; Forestieri, Maccarone

Parma (probable): Bucci; Zenoni, Falcone, Paci, Castellini; Reginaldo, Dessena, Morrone, Gasbarroni; Budan, Corradi

Ref: To follow...

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