Serie A' MD24: Parma - Torino [23-02-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 24 - 24/2/08 (17.00 UK)
Torino - Parma

Stadio Olimpico

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There is an air of optimism in the Torino ranks after a recent upturn in form as they prepare to host a Parma side facing the spectre of relegation at the Stadio Olimpico.

Torino’s unspectacular campaign rolls on with a 0-0 against Siena. In truth the goal-shy Granata had goalkeeper Matteo Sereni to thank for securing a point and ensuring that they remain Serie A’s draw specialists with 13 ties this term. Toro are embedded in mid-table and look set to avoid the drama of either a UEFA Cup qualification challenge or a relegation battle.

Pre-season optimism seems to have been replaced by a quiet acceptance of a season of consolidation. Unless Walter Novellino can inspire an improvement in home form – his men have triumphed just three times in front of their public – and start the goals flowing soon, it could be a very forgettable season.

Parma’s draw with Milan last week was highly creditable, but it hasn’t helped the Crociati in their bid to escape the shadow of relegation. The pressure is mounting on Domenico Di Carlo in his maiden Serie A season with his side in 18th and waiting to face Udinese and Roma in a gruelling fortnight.

Away from home, Parma have looked tame – they are winless and have scored just six times. This is a great chance to arrest that trend, but also the kind of game that could lead to Di Carlo’s dismissal in the event of defeat. It’s time for Azzurri star Cristiano Lucarelli and last season’s star Igor Budan – who has just returned from long-term injury – to make their presence felt at this crucial stage.

Parma have enjoyed themselves against Torino in recent times. The Ducali ended the Granata’s unbeaten start to the season with a 2-0 win in Week 5 and have won four of the last five meetings. Emilia-Romagna’s finest last recorded a victory in Turin in December 2002 by an emphatic 4-0 score-line.

The ex-factor could enter into things with Parma’s Paolo Castellini and Giulio Falcone both having represented Toro and Simone Barone, Vincenzo Grella and Alessandro Rosina all former Parma men.

The hosts will be missing young defensive star Marco Motta, who is serving a ban. Fellow stoppers Matteo Rubin and Paolo Hernan Dellafiore are injured. Parma make the trip with two major absentees. Defender Ferdinand Coly is injured and influential midfielder Daniele Dessena is suspended.

Keep an eye on: Luca Bucci (Parma) – The veteran ‘keeper was simply heroic against Milan and will fancy himself to stop anything his former club throw at him.

Last season: Torino 1-1 Parma

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


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Torino (probable): Sereni; Comotto, Di Loreto, Natali, Pisano; Diana, Corini, Grella, Lazetic; Stellone, Di Michele

Parma (probable): Bucci; Zenoni, Falcone, Couto, Castellini; Reginaldo, Morrone, Mariga, Pisanu; Corradi, Budan

Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Di Carlo takes on Toro Saturday 23 February, 2008

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Parma boss Mimmo Di Carlo has no intention of settling for a point away to fellow relegation battlers Torino today.

Considering the Gialloblu have the worst away record in Serie A with just four draws and seven defeats, one would think a share of the spoils would be a good result.

“We are going to Turin with the desire to get all three points and to do that we need to put in a good performance from every element,” said the Coach.

A stalemate is also likely as Torino have drawn a remarkable 13 of their 23 Serie A games this season.

Cristiano Lucarelli will start against his old club with support from Brazilian Reginaldo, pushing Bernardo Corradi and Igor Budan on to the bench.

“Unfortunately for some time now injuries are giving us no respite and we can’t seem to keep the treatment room empty,” added Di Carlo.

“We are aware that Parma have a pretty good squad in terms of quality. Whoever steps on to the field will give their best so we can come home with an important result.”

Daniele Dessena is suspended, while Ferdinand Coly and Luca Cigarini are major doubts for the game in Turin, which kicks off at 17.00 UK time.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[meccano]

The match is actually being played tonight not tomorrow like the preview says

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 24 - 24/2/08 (17.00 UK)
Torino 4 - 4 Parma
Stellone 11, 69 (T), Gasbarroni 29, 32 (P), Morrone 42 (P), Budan 43 (P), Natali 45 (T), Di Michele 82 (T)
Stadio Olimpico

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An extraordinary 4-4 draw at the Olimpico saw Torino and Parma share eight goals and two crossbars.

Both teams were struggling to stay afloat, in particular Parma who had slipped into the bottom three despite holding Milan to a goalless draw last weekend. The Gialloblu had the worst away record in the top flight with just six goals scored on their travels and not a single win.

Cristiano Lucarelli faced his old club, as did Paolo Castellini, while Simone Barone, Vincenzo Grella and Alessandro Rosina were all ex-Parma men. Marco Motta and Daniele Dessena were suspended.

Toro took the lead at the first real attempt, as Marco Di Loreto's long pass allowed Roberto Stellone to spring the offside trap and blast a powerful finish past the helpless Luca Bucci. It was an extremely tight decision, but a correct one.

There were timid penalty appeals for a Zenoni handling offence on Stellone's cross, then Aimo Diana ran on to a Stellone assist to skim the upright with a right-foot effort.

Parma managed to draw level on the half-hour mark. McDonald Mariga did well to shrug Cesare Natali off the ball at the byeline and immediately roll back for Andrea Gasbarroni's first-time low strike into the near corner.

Incredibly, Gasbarroni turned the game around completely less than three minutes later. He had tested Matteo Sereni earlier with some free kicks, but curled this one perfectly into the near top corner as it dipped mercilessly over the defensive wall.

The shocks weren't over yet, as just before the break Stefano Morrone scored an absolutely stunning goal. A poor clearance fell to outside the D, where Morrone didn't hesitate for a spectacular right-foot volley into the top corner.

Torino were visibly stunned and less than 30 seconds later it was 4-1! Igor Budan sprung the offside trap and although Sereni got a hand to the lob, it looped over him and bounced its way into an empty net. The Gialloblu had scored four goals in a mad 14 minutes.

This crazy first half continued into stoppages, as the Granata hit back with Rosina's free kick looped into the six-yard box for a totally free Natali header.

After the restart Diana complained his cross was charged down in the box by an arm, but the referee waved play on. In a bid to jump over Giulio Falcone, Alessandro Rosina accidentally caught the defender's elbow with his studs and the Parma man was stretchered off in clear pain, but was able to continue after treatment.

Sereni got down well to parry Andrea Pisanu's angled drive, then soon after Mariga unleashed a rocket that cannoned off the upright. Mariga was Man of the Match for Parma, winning back possession repeatedly.

Torino tried to fight back with Alvaro Recoba, but curiously Parma introduced Bernardo Corradi rather than January signing Lucarelli.

The Granata got back into the game on 69 minutes with Stellone, the man who had started it all. A corner kick reached the tall centre-forward for a splendid volley with the inside of his left foot that bounced in front of Bucci.

The home side were pushing hard to complete an epic comeback, though Di Michele saw his chance to equalise charged down.

Di Michele got the 4-4 eight minutes from time with another fine finish. Sereni's goal kick was nodded on by Stellone and Di Michele did well to reach out a foot and flick it over a helpless Bucci!

It wasn't over yet, as Bucci had to rush outside his box to clear off the feet of a Torino striker, but in the final minute substitute Nicola Ventola's header from a Gianluca Comotto cross cannoned off the underside of the crossbar! Torino could not have come closer to a 5-4 victory when they had been 4-1 down in the first half.


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Torino: Sereni; Comotto, Di Loreto, Natali, Pisano; Diana, Corini (Recoba 63), P Zanetti, Lazetic (Di Michele 46); Stellone, Rosina (Ventola 80)

Parma: Bucci; Zenoni, Falcone, Couto, Castellini; Mariga, Morrone, Parravicini (Cigarini 92), Pisanu; Gasbarroni (Morfeo 75); Budan (Corradi 65)

Ref: Ayroldi

holy crap thats a lot of goals.

[D-Kin]

Mental.

[D-Kin]

Di Carlo: Unbelievable! Saturday 23 February, 2008

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Mimmo Di Carlo knows his job is on the line after Parma threw away a 4-1 lead to draw 4-4 at Torino.

“We are very bitter after this result,” said the Gialloblu boss. “We threw away a great opportunity and could not bring home the full points, but this draw does not damage the faith we have in our own abilities.”

The Ducali had been trailing to Torino before going into the break 4-2 up, but in the final stages risked losing 5-4 when Nicola Ventola hit the bar.

“We made a few too many defensive errors, almost as if we were making up for how well we’ve been doing in that area of late,” added Di Carlo.

Torino were happy with the point considering at one stage they were trailing 4-1 on home turf and President Urbano Cairo was the only person to speak with the media.

“We got off to a good start, then had five minutes of madness. All Parma’s goals were absolutely spectacular,” said the patron.

“The Gialloblu are a fine squad and played well. I must admit, when we went 4-1 down I did not believe in a comeback. Thankfully, Cesare Natali’s goal changed the balance.

“I saw Roberto Stellone in excellent form. He fought admirably and scored two great goals. Now we face another battle in the derby with Juventus.”

That match will kick off on Tuesday evening, while the other Serie A ties are on Wednesday night.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[meccano]

Unbelievable goals

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