Serie A' MD25: Parma - Udinese [27-02-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 25 - 27/2/08 (19.30 UK)
Parma - Udinese

Stadio Tardini

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unpredictable Udinese arrive at the Stadio Tardini on Wednesday night to take on a desperate Parma side fighting for their Serie A lives.

It promises to be some encounter if they relive their weekend exploits after both were involved in eight-goal thrillers. Parma collected a wild 4-4 draw at Torino, while the Bianconeri lost 5-3 at home to Genoa – the second time this term that they have conceded five goals at home.

Although the Gialloblu collected a point on Saturday evening, it would have been viewed like a defeat by fans. Having taken a 4-1 first half lead, the former Parmalat-backed outfit were looking good for a first League win since their 3-0 over Reggina back in Week 16. It wasn’t to be, though, as Toro hit back to secure an unlikely draw which increased the pressure on under-fire boss Mimmo Di Carlo.

To make matters worse for the former Vicenza midfielder, he’ll be without Andrea Gasbarroni in midweek. The winger netted twice in the Olimpico at the weekend, but also collected a yellow card which rules him out on Wednesday. On the positive side, Daniele Dessena is available again after his suspension but that may not be enough for a starting shirt.

Di Carlo is expected to revert to two strikers for this one. Cristiano Lucarelli and Bernardo Corradi, who both didn’t start in Week 24, are expected to lead the line. It’s unclear at this stage whether Giulio Falcone will be ready to start after coming away from the Turin trip with a small knock.

Things are undoubtedly uncomfortable for Di Carlo, but opposite number Pasquale Marino isn’t a happy man either. Hailed as a genius following Udinese’s marvellous start to the campaign, there may be no fairytale ending for the Bianconeri. Their latest loss was their third from their last four games and their Champions League dream seems to be quickly evaporating.

“Every time we are asked to take the step up in quality, we don’t deliver,” conceded Fabio Quagliarella after Marco Borriello thumped a hat-trick past them on Sunday. “We need to be more hungry,” added Marino. “Let’s just hope this defeat will teach us a lesson.”

The ex-Catania tactician has no suspensions to worry about, but injury will see him again robbed of Raffaele De Martino, Gyan Asamoah, Christian Obodo and Giandomenico Mesto. Cristian Zapata may return to the side after not making the Genoa tie, while Simone Pepe will probably replace Antonio Floro Flores in attack.

Keep an eye on: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese) – He’s been the most in-form Udinese attacker recently and bagged a brace on Sunday against Genoa. He’ll now be hoping to turn his goals into points.

Last season: Parma 0-3 Udinese

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


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Parma (probable): Bucci; Zenoni, Rossi, Couto, Castellini; Reginaldo, Morrone, Cigarini, Pisanu; Corradi, Lucarelli

Udinese (probable): Handanovic; Zapata, Felipe, Lukovic; Ferronetti, D’Agostino, Inler, Dossena; Pepe, Quagliarella, Di Natale

Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[dukeofdavinci]

Parma tempted by De Biasi Tuesday 26 February, 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Parma President Tommaso Ghirardi could replace Coach Mimmo Di Carlo with Gianni De Biasi if the Gialloblu fail to win tomorrow’s clash against Udinese.

The Crociati are currently in the relegation zone after failing to hold on to a three-goal lead during Saturday’s 4-4 draw with Torino.

However, the tactician is still hoping that his men will be able to turn things around before Ghirardi loses patience with him.

“We have no option but to win tomorrow,” claimed Di Carlo. “However, Udinese are one of Serie A’s best teams and we will have to be careful.

“They will also be looking for revenge after losing 5-3 at home against Genoa. I have got faith in my team – the staff and the players are united.”

Didier Deschamps and Carlo Mazzone have also been linked to the Parma job, but Ghirardi has now focused his interest on Levante boss De Biasi.

The former Torino and Brescia tactician is reportedly keen to return to Italy and is ready to cut his ties with Spanish outfit

channel4.com - Football Italia

[dukeofdavinci]

Di Carlo calm on judgement day Wednesday 27 February, 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Parma Coach Domenico Di Carlo admits that he is in a “delicate position”, but he is refusing to panic despite the spectre of the axe.

The former Mantova man is running out of time in his first Serie A season and saw his position weakened last weekend when Parma threw away a 4-1 lead to draw 4-4 with Torino.

As an expectant side see a relegation dogfight looming, tonight’s game against Udinese has become a must-win for Di Carlo.

“We are in a very delicate position,” he admitted. “But you shouldn’t talk to me about the rumours – you should talk to the people who are putting them about.

“Personally, I am calm and getting ready for the game as usual. The table shows that we have a single point more than Catania and Livorno and we need to change things as soon as possible, but there are still 14 games left.”

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

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Marino promises angry Zebrette Wednesday 27 February, 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pasquale Marino insists that his Udinese side can channel their frustration at last weekend’s 5-3 defeat to Genoa to ensure victory over Parma tonight.

The Zebrette are sliding down the table and have seen their Champions League qualification hopes fade after just one win their last five outings.

After Week 24’s bizarre reverse against Genoa, Udinese must return to winning ways and Marino is glad to have the chance to erase memories of last weekend.

“It’s a blessing to have the chance to get straight back on the pitch,” he declared.

“We have to put the defeat against Genoa behind us and now we can turn our disappointment into a motivating anger. When you lose like that, it is the only logical step.

“Over the last two days I have seen a very focused side working hard. Against Parma we have to play with ambition and we need everyone to give their best individually and as a unit.

“A squad shows its strength through reacting to difficulty and we need to regain the consistency that we had in the first half of the campaign.”

Marino knows that a win could signal the end for his counterpart Domenico Di Carlo, as Parma continue to struggle.

“The Ducali are in a false position given their ability and we know that we will come up against a point-starved side,” the former Catania Coach claimed.

“But we are coming into a crucial stage of the season and I hope that we can respond.”

Udinese (probable): Handanovic; Ferronetti, Felipe, Lukovic, Colombo; D’Agostino, Inler, Dossena, Pepe; Quagliarella, Di Natale

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Parma won 2-0.

Lucarelli and Cigarini (pen) with the goals.

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 25 - 27/2/08 (19.30 UK)
Parma 2 - 0 Udinese
Lucarelli 78 (P), Cigarini pen 85 (P)
Stadio Tardini

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cristiano Lucarelli's stunning goal saved Mimmo Di Carlo's job, but Udinese are in freefall.

Goals galore were expected from two sides who don't exactly make defence a priority. This past weekend Parma had thrown away a 4-1 lead at Torino to draw 4-4, while Udinese were crushed 5-3 on home turf by Genoa. Andrea Gasbarroni sat out a ban, though Daniele Dessena and Simone Pepe returned. Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic was dropped, so Antonio Chimenti made his first start since September.

Curiously, this tie hadn't ended in a draw since April 2000 and last season the Friulani came away with a 3-0 victory.

Simone Pepe combined with Antonio Di Natale and the former Palermo youngster's angled drive skimmed the upright. At the other end Cristiano Lucarelli was booked for simulation, though it seemed a harsh decision.

Lucarelli's night didn't get any better, as he shrugged off Diaz Felipe to go clear on goal, but fired straight at Chimenti.

Reginaldo touched a Lucarelli cross to the edge of the box for McDonald Mariga to blast over the bar. Marco Rossi did very well to close down Andrea Dossena at the last moment, as did Giulio Falcone on Pepe.

Fabio Quagliarella nodded a Gokhan Inler cross from the right off target and Stefano Morrone drilled wide from distance.

A cheeky Quagliarella backheel almost took Luca Bucci by surprise, but Parma took the lead on 78 minutes. A free kick was crossed into the box by Andrea Pisanu for a fantastic Lucarelli scissor-kick into the ground that bounced past Chimenti.

Parma had the opportunity to extend their lead, but Budan was egotistical in not passing to the umarked Mariga, instead firing off target. Udinese also threatened an equaliser with substitute Antonio Flor Flores' header.

Budan was brought down by Giampiero Pinzi late on and Luca Cigarini converted the resulting penalty to make the points safe.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Parma: Bucci; Coly, Falcone, M Rossi, Zenoni (Cigarini 58); Mariga, Morrone, Castellini; Reginaldo (Budan 71), Lucarelli (Dessena 85), Pisanu

Udinese: Chimenti; Zapotocny, Felipe (Floro Flores 81), Lukovic; Ferronetti (Colombo 72), Inler (Pinzi 85), D'Agostino, Dossena; Pepe, Quagliarella, Di Natale

Ref: Mazzoleni

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Di Carlo's timely triumph Thursday 28 February, 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Parma Coach Domenico Di Carlo breathed a sigh of relief after victory over Udinese – a result that many believe saved his job.

With the Ducali floundering in the relegation zone, there had been rumours that President Tommaso Ghirardi was ready to axe Serie A novice Di Carlo.

However, an encouraging three points against a stuttering Udinese seem to have lifted the tension for the time being.

“With all the criticism I have received it seemed like I was already out of a job, but it’s what happens on the pitch that counts,” Di Carlo stressed.

“This is our fourth game unbeaten and it’s a result that will give us belief in our ability.

“The first half was very cagey and we made Udinese do the work, but after the interval we played with more invention, partly due to the substitutions.

“This is how you secure survival – with this group, this spirit of sacrifice and by staying alert for 95 minutes.”

Sporting director Gabriele Zamagna also hailed an important win, but maintains that it wasn’t do or die for Di Carlo.

“The talk about Di Carlo being sacked was fabrication,” he maintained.

“The team aren’t having a great time and obviously things are discussed when results go badly, but that was a real response on the pitch.

“We are confident for the future and we will go to Roma this weekend to play our football.”

channel4.com - Football Italia