Serie A' MD28: Livorno - Parma [16-03-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 28 - 16/3/08 (14.00 UK)
Livorno - Parma

Stadio Picchi

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Hector Cuper will be hoping to start his new adventure at Parma in style as the Crociati travel to Tuscany to take on relegation rivals Livorno in Week 28. The Gialloblu are looking to end their negative run of two consecutive defeats which led to the axing of boss Mimmo Di Carlo, but the Amaranto are no pushovers.

Last week’s round saw both the Emiliani and the Tuscans being defeated 2-0 by Sampdoria and Lazio respectively. Parma lie 17th in the table with 25 points, while Livorno are just one point ahead of them. The relegation battle is getting tough so both teams will be desperate for points. In last year’s encounter the locals comfortably won 3-0 and the visitors will be looking to end their Armando Picchi nightmare where they have always been defeated.

Big news for Parma is obviously the arrival of former Inter tactician Cuper, who was hired by President Tommaso Ghirardi in order to lead them to safety. Former Livorno midfielder Stefano Morrone paid tribute to their departing boss though. “The sacking of Di Carlo was a defeat for all of us. We are really sad about it and we blame ourselves…”

The morale at Livorno is definitely higher. Coach Giancarlo Camolese has done a good job so far, although the Amaranto are still in a risky position. “This a fundamental clash for us. From now on we cannot afford any more slip-ups,” said the Labronici boss.

Livorno will be missing Alessandro Grandoni and Daniele De Vezze due to suspension. Nico Pulzetti, Stefano Rossini and Giuliano Giannichedda will also be out injured. Defenders Fabio Galante, Simone Pavan and Dario Knezevic will from the back three.

Massimo Loviso should play in the middle of the park with Antonio Filippini and Giovanni Pasquale on the flanks. In attack it looks like Francesco Tavano behind Spanish bomber Diego Tristan.

Parma’s formation is still a mystery given Cuper’s somewhat shock arrival. However, the Argentine boss used a 4-4-2 system while at Inter and this should be his preferred option. He won’t be able to count on the banned Giulo Falcone.

Andrea Gasbarroni and Andrea Pisanu will start wide, while talented youngster Luca Cigarini will play centrally. Former Livorno captain Cristiano Lucarelli should form the attacking duo alongside Igor Budan.

Keep an eye on: Cristiano Lucarelli (Parma) – The former Labronici legend will make his return to the Stadio Picchi after his departure last summer, but he will have to lead his new team to victory.

Last season: Livorno 3-0 Parma

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


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Livorno (probable): Amelia; Knezevic, Pavan, Galante; Balleri, Vidigal, Loviso, A.Filippini, Pasquale; Tavano, Tristan

Parma (probable): Bucci; Coly, Couto, Rossi, Castellini; Gasbarroni, Morrone, Cigarini, Pisanu; Budan, Lucarelli

Ref: To follow...

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[meccano]

Last week’s round saw both the Emiliani and the Tuscans being defeated 2-0 by Sampdoria and Lazio respectively.

Erm wasn't the Samp match 2-1 not 2-0?

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 28 - 16/3/08 (14.00 UK)
Livorno 1 - 1 Parma
Vidigal 41 (L), Reginaldo 60 (P)
Stadio Picchi

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Cristiano Lucarelli was jeered on his return to the Picchi, but his Parma came away with a point.

This was an historic occasion for two reasons, as Hector Cuper made his debut on the Parma bench following Mimmo Di Carlo's dismissal and former local hero Cristiano Lucarelli faced his hometown club for the first time. Livorno were without the banned Alessandro Grandoni and Daniele De Vezze, while Fernando Couto, Ferdinand Coly and Giulio Falcone meant Parma had to reshuffle their defence.

Luca Bucci controlled a Fabio Galante header, but Parma lost Rossi to a nasty-looking cut to his thigh just 22 minutes in. Both sides neutralised each other in the first half and there were barely any real shots on goal.

The first real chance of the game also broke the deadlock and it was in Livorno's favour. Jose Luis Vidigal unleashed a missile from 22 metres that Bucci only managed to palm into the near top corner.

Lucarelli volleyed a Zenoni cross from the right wide with the aid of a deflection off Galante.

Emanuele Filippini carried on a counter for Diego Tristan, whose shot was deflected off target.

Lucarelli curled a promising opportunity just wide and Parma equalised on the hour mark. Lucarelli provided the assist, flicking a cross back to the D where Reginaldo's sensational volley dipped mercilessly past Marco Amelia.

Lucarelli tested his former teammate Amelia when he ran on to McDonald Mariga's pass and brought a tough save out of the shot-stopper's legs.

Daniele Dessena clattered into Amelia as he ran on to a Reginaldo cross and the Livorno goalkeeper had to be stretchered off.

Bucci tipped a Francesco Tavano strike round the post and substitute Bernardo Corradi tried to score from an impossible angle.


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Livorno: Amelia (De Lucia 78); Knezevic, Pavan, Galante; Balleri (A Filippini 68), Vidigal, Loviso, E Filippini, Pasquale; Tristan (Bogdani 68), Tavano

Parma: Bucci; Zenoni, Paci, Rossi (Antonelli 22), Castellini; Reginaldo, Mariga, Morrone, Pisanu (Dessena 71); Gasbarroni; Lucarelli (Corradi 81)

Ref: Rosetti

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[dukeofdavinci]

Cuper turns Parma shrink Sunday 16 March, 2008

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Hector Cuper needs to “work on the psychology” of Parma after his debut draw at the Stadio Armando Picchi.

“We did not play well, especially in the first half when it came to having possession,” he said of the 1-1 result.

“Cristiano Lucarelli was a little isolated upfront, but that is not the point. It was up to us to push up as a team and approach the Livorno box. We did not manage that in the first half, we did in the second.”

Cuper was brought in this week after the dismissal of Coach Domenico Di Carlo and has only had three days to work with the side.

“There is still a definite sense of anxiety and I have not had enough time to work on entertaining football. This squad needs confidence, to believe in what it does and everyone must recognise it takes time.

“The talent is there and I need to do more work on a psychological level.”

Livorno boss Giancarlo Camolese was relatively content with the 1-1 draw in this relegation dogfight.

“It was a difficult game and we had a good first half in terms of our aggression. We wanted to get a fast start to the second period to double our lead, but conceded and the match changed.”

Camolese told off the Livorno fans for jeering returning players Lucarelli and Stefano Morrone.

“I did not appreciate that behaviour. These two players have given a great deal to Livorno. Having said that, no player should ever be jeered.”

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