Serie A' MD22: Cagliari - Parma [10-02-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 22 - 10/2/08 (14.00 UK)
Cagliari - Parma

Stadio Sant'Elia

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Parma travel to basement boys Cagliari this weekend for a relegation six-pointer at the Stadio Sant’Elia. The Gialloblu are just a point clear of the relegation zone having picked up only one draw from their last five games, while their Sardinian opponents are on the up after holding Juventus.

After a slow start to life under Davide Ballardini, Cagliari have come to life of late, picking up a stunning last gasp victory against Napoli and then following it up with a battling point against Italy’s most successful side. Yet they remain two points behind Empoli and desperately need the three points this weekend to drag Parma within touching distance.

Unfortunately, Ballardini has been hit by a couple of injuries which he really could have done without. Both of them came in the match against the Bianconeri, with Diego Lopez and four-goal Pasquale Foggia having to be subbed off. Neither man is likely to be fit to face Parma, so Michele Canini and Andrea Cossu come into the side. The Rossublu have found goals hard to come by this term, so with top scorer Alessandro Matri likely to start from the bench, it’s difficult to see this starting XI getting on the scoresheet too often.

Parma can consider themselves unlucky not to have picked up more points since their last victory in the middle of December, as Mimmo Di Carlo’s men have not been beaten by more than one goal during this run. And unlike their opponents in Week 22, they have not had nearly as much trouble finding the back of the net. The addition of Cristiano Lucarelli ensures that they should keep it up, even if the former Livorno man missed a penalty in the defeat against Atalanta.

However, Di Carlo is forced to tinker with his line-up for a number of different reasons. Ferdinand Coly is fit again after injury so he returns to the starting XI in place of the suspended Andrea Pisanu. To accommodate the Senegalese international, Paolo Castellini moves up into midfield, with Damiano Zenoni switching to left-back. Another change to the defence sees Fernando Couto replace the injured Marco Rossi. Stefano Morrone is also tipped for a recall after serving a suspension so don’t be surprised to see McDonald Mariga make way for him.

Since returning to Serie A in 2004, Cagliari have not lost to Parma at their Sant’Elia home, winning twice and drawing the other. Their last victory, in 2006, came courtesy of goals from Andrea Capone, Mauro Esposito and David Suazo – three men who are no longer at the club.

Keep an eye on: Cristiano Lucarelli (Parma) – He might have missed a penalty against Atalanta, but the ex-Livorno ace guarantees goals and it’s only a matter of time before he’s firing on all cylinders.

Last season: Cagliari 0-0 Parma

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


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Cagliari (probable): Storari; Ferri, Canini, Bianco, Agostini; Conti, Parola, Fini; Cossu; Jeda, Larrivey

Parma (probable): Bucci; Coly, Falcone, M Rossi, Zenoni; Reginaldo, Morrone, Cigarini, Castellini; Corradi, C Lucarelli

Ref: To follow...

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[D-Kin]

Definitely a relegation playoff.

[D-Kin]

Di Carlo has Parma optimism Saturday 9 February, 2008

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Parma boss Domenico Di Carlo faces the axe in case of defeat to Cagliari, but he does not believe it is his last chance saloon.

“I don’t think that Cagliari represent our last chance saloon. I don’t want to put pressure on the squad, but I certainly want to see a Parma side aggressive and able to scrape points off its opponents.”

The Gialloblu were in relative mid-table security, but a run of poor results reached a nadir with last week’s home defeat to Atalanta.

On the other side of the fence, the Sardinians are in good shape after beating Napoli and holding Juventus to a 1-1 draw.

“Cagliari will keep the tempo high, so we must believe all the way to the end. I am confident, as the team has always given a positive response in difficult moments. I expect a lot from my lads, starting from their character.”

Di Carlo is the one at risk, though, and there are reports he could be fired if Parma fail to win this six-pointer.

During his reign he had a blazing row with Domenico Morfeo and froze him out of the squad, but the creative midfielder is back in the side to face Cagliari.

“In the last four weeks he has trained and returned to physical and psychological fitness,” explained the Coach.

“I think he is in good shape and we need everyone to remain united at a time when we must call on every resource at our disposal and make sacrifices for the club.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

It's currently 1-1.

Agostini and Jeda with the goals.

[D-Kin]

HT 1-1.

[D-Kin]

FT 1-1.

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 22 - 10/2/08 (14.00 UK)
Cagliari 1 - 1 Parma
Jeda 34 (C), Reginaldo 35 (P)
Stadio Sant'Elia

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It was all decided in 60 seconds at the Stadio Sant'Elia, as the relegation battlers share the spoils.

Just a few weeks ago the Gialloblu would've gone into this game relatively relaxed, but it had become a relegation six-pointer. Parma lost 3-2 at home to Atalanta and slipped back to one point clear of the drop zone, while bottom of the table Cagliari defeated Napoli and held Juventus to a draw.

Andrea Pisanu sat out a ban for the visitors, but Stefano Morrone returned from suspension. Since returning to Serie A in 2004, the Sardinians had not lost here to Parma with two wins and a draw.

Luca Bucci came tearing out to clear Andrea Cossu's assist off Jeda's foot, then Cristiano Lucarelli held up the ball for Castellini's left-foot strike just wide. Daniele Conti curled a Cagliari free kick past the upright.

The Sardinians opened the scoring with the first real shot on target. Jeda ran forward and unleashed a screamer from 20 metres that smashed into the top corner for his first goal since the January move from Rimini.

Curiously, the second effort on target was also a goal! Less than 60 seconds later Reginaldo took advantage of a lucky ricochet and some slack Lopez defending to steer the ball through Marco Storari's legs from close range.

Bucci needed a spectacular one-handed save to deny Jeda a second, as the Brazilian once again spun round to fire a powerful effort from the D.

Straight after the restart there was chaos in the Parma box, as Stefano Morrone's looping header went over Storari and ricocheted off the inside of the far post. The move continued with several more shots charged down and Fernando Couto wasting from a promising position.

Daniele Conti failed to get the decisive touch on a Biondini cross when all he had to do was make contact to score in front of an empty net.

Summer signing Joaquin Larrivey was booed off the field after an hour of anonymity, while Cristiano Lucarelli limped away with a suspected thigh injury.

Cagliari had the better chances to win it late on, but Pasquale Foggia and Michele Fini couldn't get the final touch.

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Cagliari: Storari; Ferri, Lopez, Bianco, Agostini; Biondini (Fini 89), Conti, Parola; Cossu (Foggia 69), Jeda; Larrivey (Matri 57)

Parma: Bucci; Coly, Falcone, Couto, Zenoni; Dessena (Mariga 84), Cigarini (Parravicini 75), Morrone, Castellini; C Lucarelli (Corradi 66), Reginaldo

Ref: Rizzoli

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