MD2: Atalanta - Parma 2/9/07 (14.00 UK)

[Jager]

Atalanta - Parma

Stadio Azzurri d'Italia


Both Atalanta and Parma will be looking for their first League victory of the season when they meet at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia in Week 2. While the Gialloblu’s only aim is survival, Atalanta are hoping to improve on last season’s achievements and reach a seemingly unlikely UEFA Cup spot.

Parma had a decent start to their campaign thanks to their 2-2 against relegation rivals Catania in a very intense clash. Meanwhile, the Bergamaschi didn’t do much against Reggina last week and would have left the Granillo empty handed if only the referee hadn’t awarded them a controversial penalty.

In last season’s corresponding tie. Parma managed to hold the Nerazzurri to a 1-1 draw thanks to a late equaliser from Ferdinand Coly.

Nerazzurri boss Luigi Del Neri will stick with his preferred 4-4-1-1 formation. Carmine Coppola should continue in between the posts while full-back Claudio Rivalta may be replaced by Adriano.

Del Neri can count on Ferreira Pinto, who missed the second half of the game against Reggina due to an injury, but has since then completely recovered. Portuguese midfielder Costinha has completed his move, but he’s unlikely to feature.

Star man Cristiano Doni will play as a trequartista behind Riccardo Zampagna. Simone Inzaghi, who arrived this week on loan from Lazio, may sit on the bench.

Gialloblu Coach Mimmo De Carlo was involved in a feisty argument with Catania counterpart Silvio Baldini, but has escaped a ban and he will be happy with his team’s form.

Talented youngster Marco Rossi, who got his name on the score-sheet last Sunday, will be reconfirmed ahead of veteran Fernando Couto. Daniele Dessena, who was out due to suspension against the Sicilians, will return while Francesco Parravicini will sit on the bench. Andrea Pisanu should be replaced by Andrea Gasbarroni who will form the trident with Igor Budan and Reginaldo.

Keep an eye on: Reginaldo (Parma) – The Brazilian forward has all the potential needed to explode at this level. He will be looking for his first goal of the season and he will find plenty of space on the right hand side of the Crociati’s trident.

Last season: Atalanta 1-1 Parma

Form guide: Atalanta (- - - - D) Parma (- - - - D)


Atalanta (probable): Coppola; Rivalta, Carrozzieri, Talamonti, Bellini; Ferriera Pinto, De Ascentis, Tissone, Langella; Doni; Zampagna

Parma (probable): Bucci; D Zenoni, Falcone, M Rossi, Castellini; Dessena, Cigarini, Morrone; Gasbarroni, Budan, Reginaldo

Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 2 - 2/9/07 (14.00 UK)
Atalanta 2 - 0 Parma
Zampagna pen 21 (A), Carrozzieri 66 (A)
Stadio Azzurri d'Italia

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Atalanta had a comfortable victory over Parma at the Stadio Azzurri d'Italia.

Both sides were looking for their first win of the season after hard-fought draws in Week 1. Daniele Dessena returned from suspension for the visitors, while Igor Budan and new signings Bernardo Corradi and Mariga were not yet fully fit. Thomas Manfredini remains banned for Atalanta until November 1 due to a betting scandal, but Cristiano Doni was out with tendonitis.

Former Porto star Costinha was given his Serie A debut and within minutes swung a promising effort just past the post.

The referee pointed to the spot for Ferdinand Coly's foul on Antonio Langella and Riccardo Zampagna converted the penalty to give the visitors the lead.

Parma were surprisingly timid, Andrea Pisanu putting power rather than precision behind his shot and Francesco Parravicini's effort charged down.

After the restart Luca Cigarini scuffed his effort from the edge of the area, but Moris Carrozzieri got in front of his marker to nod in a Ferreira Pinto corner kick.

Simone Inzaghi made his Atalanta debut and Parma tried to get back into the game, Coppola parrying a Cigarini free kick and Domenico Morfeo volleying over.


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Atalanta: Coppola; Rivalta, Capelli, Carrozzieri, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto, De Ascentis, Costinha (Tissone 54), Langella (Padoin 72); Floccari; Zampagna (S Inzaghi 58)

Parma: Bucci; Coly, Falcone, M Rossi, Castellini; Morrone (Morfeo 59), Cigarini, Parravicini (Dessena 46); Reginaldo, Paponi, Pisanu (Matteini 72)

Ref: Marelli

bot went looking and parma didnt find it.so its 1 draw 1 lost so far for parma.not a tottaly disastrous start.

[Jager]

They said Atalanta would stick, and this is a good result.

For Parma, this is another disastrous start.

[dukeofdavinci]

Atalanta 2-0 Parma
Luigi Del Neri: “Facing the Gialloblu is not an easy task. We knew they would have a strong start and that we’d need to control Reginaldo’s bursts. In any case, I think we deserved the victory. Costinha has quality, but still needs to improve.”
Domenico Di Carlo: “We played our game today, but perhaps didn’t deal with some situations as well as we could have. Domenico Morfeo is an important figure, but the team played well even without his presence.”

post match comments.

[meccano]

I'm not too worried, even in the Tanzi days we had a rubbish start, at least we aren't bottom

This is Parma at the start of the season, things can only get better.....I hope!