Serie A: Empoli - Parma [13-01-07] - TalkSoccer

**D-Kin** · 10-01-2007, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Serie A Week 19 - 13/1/07 (17.00 UK)
Empoli - Parma

Stadio Castellani

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The Carlo Castellini Stadium will welcome back top class football after the Christmas break by hosting Empoli-Parma on Saturday. The two sides find themselves in almost opposite positions in the table. There are 10 points between them, with the home side on 22 and the away side on 12, but it remains a tough game to call despite the vast mathematical difference. What they lack in points, Parma will surely try and make up for in fighting spirit.

Empoli have had plenty to reflect on over the holidays. After their postponed game in Sicily, they soon played a match they wish they could have dealyed, as Reggina gave them a 4-1 drubbing they were not expecting. They were never really in the game and were four goals behind before the break. A 68th minute penalty did little to improve the situation and the Tuscan fans will be hoping to start the New Year with a new outlook. The derby victory against Siena the week before the Reggina fiasco now seems like it happened a long time ago.

Empoli Coach Gigi Cagni will know that some changes are necessary after the previous game. Vittorio Tosto and Luca Saudati came on as substitutes last time out and seem to have done enough to earn a starting jersey. Tosto could come in at left-back while Stefano Lucchini may replace Daniele Adani as well. It looks likely to be a four man midfield with Antonio Busce’, Sergio Almiron, Ighli Vannucchi and Davide Moro behind the two forwards Nicola Pozzi and Luca Saudati.

The away side are second from bottom with only Ascoli behind them. In recent times a win has been very hard to come by in the domestic League. Their last Serie A win was actually against Ascoli back in October. Before the holiday they lost 3-1 to Lazio despite being a man over for almost the whole of the game. However, they could be out of trouble faster than they might think if they could start collecting three points from games instead of just one or even none.

Gialoblu boss Stefano Pioli will certainly want to make some changes, but they will probably all be in midfield and attack as he looks likely to leave his defence untouched. Vincenzo Grella and Zlatan Muslimovic seem certain to start ahead of Maurizio Ciaramitaro and Zlatko Dedic, leaving Andrea Gasbarroni behind Igor Budan.

Man on fire: Igor Budan (Parma) – Playing one up as Parma do puts extra pressure on the striker, but the Croat has dealt with it well. His prowess has earned him and his side eight goals so far this season. If he could keep them in Serie A by himself he would.

Last season: Empoli 1-2 Parma

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

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Empoli (probable): Balli; Raggi, Lucchini, Pratali, Tosto; Almiron, Moro, Buscè, Vannucchi; Pozzi, Saudati

Parma (probable): Bucci; Ferronetti, Couto, Contini, Castellini; Dessena, Cigarini, Grella, Muslimovic, Gasbarroni; Budan

channel4.com - Football Italia

**D-Kin** · 10-01-2007, 12:33 PM

Interestingly C4 seem to think you still own Gasbarroni.

Still no Morfeo, Budan is the key.

**meccano** · 10-01-2007, 06:41 PM

morfeo has been called up against roma tonight, the di napoli deal should be official soon

**D-Kin** · 11-01-2007, 12:17 AM

How did Morfeo do tonight?

**D-Kin** · 11-01-2007, 12:47 AM

Nevermind, he didn't feature.

channel4.com - Football Italia

**D-Kin** · 13-01-2007, 04:24 PM

Parma want to play in the league like they do in the Coppa.

channel4.com - Football Italia

**Jager** · 13-01-2007, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Empoli 2 - 0 Parma
Raggi 27 (E), Matteini 76 (E)
Stadio Castellani

Andrea Raggi's first ever Serie A goal helped Empoli to a 2-0 victory over struggling Parma after Ferdinand Coly saw red.

There were 10 points separating the two sides going into this game, but Empoli were still smarting from their 4-1 defeat to Reggina before Christmas and Parma were without a win since October.

The home side was more aggressive from the start as Vittorio Tosto's solo effort and an Antonio Busce' attempt were off target.

Domenico Morfeo is essential for the Gialloblu and his through ball found Igor Budan for a chip just over the bar.

However, it was Empoli who broke through soon after with Andrea Raggi. Tosto floated a free kick to the edge of the six-yard box, where Luca Bucci was late to arrive and Raggi nodded in his career first Serie A goal.

Budan pounced on a weak Francesco Pratali backpass, but the goalkeeper was able to recover the situation. The Croatian striker also nodded straight at Daniele Balli after the break.

Parma were left in 10 men from the 58th minute, as Ferdinand Coly stupidly earned a second yellow card for visibly holding back Marianini.

It was another substitute, Davide Matteini, who put the final nail in the Gialloblu coffin. Only a few minutes after stepping on to the field, he was at full stretch to volley in a cross from the right and get in front of marker Damiano Ferronetti.

The visitors just weren't in the game and Raggi turned off target from a corner kick.

Empoli: Balli; Raggi, Lucchini, Pratali, Tosto (Marzoratti 85); Buscè, Almiron (Matteini 74), Moro, Vannucchi; Saudati, Pozzi (Marianini 55)

Parma: Bucci; Coly, Perna, Contini, Castellini; Dessena (Kutuzov 46), Grella, Cigarini, Ciaramitaro (Ferronetti 61); Morfeo (Dedic 82); Budan

Ref: Palanca

Sent off: Coly 58 (P)

channel4.com - Football Italia

A disaster if you ask me. They can't lose like this, and expect to stick.

**D-Kin** · 13-01-2007, 10:26 PM

I expected Empoli to win.

They're a strong side don't forget, expecially at home.

**Jager** · 14-01-2007, 08:16 PM

I know, but the odd time you have to draw. I'm still expecting Parma to stick. I believe this week is the half break, and next week is the second half if I"m not mistaken?

**D-Kin** · 14-01-2007, 10:23 PM

Yeah, that's correct.