Serie A' MD30: Siena - parma [22-03-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 30 - 22/3/08 (14.00 UK)
Siena - Parma

Stadio Franchi

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Siena’s Stadio Franchi plays host to a relegation six-pointer this weekend as Parma come to town looking to keep up their recent revival. The Gialloblu, under new Coach Hector Cuper, have picked up four points from their last two games, but they cannot afford to rest on their laurels with things looking extremely tight at the bottom of the table.

The home side, however, have seen their recent good run stalled this week after being hammered by fellow strugglers Reggina and then held in midweek by Catania. Nonetheless, they still sit three points ahead of their opponents on Saturday, with Coach Mario Beretta knowing that two more victories should be enough to keep them in the top flight. And that will be a positive thing for Italian football as, despite the same old stereotyping about the defensive nature of the League, a club of Siena’s size still opt to play with two strikers and a trequartista. In short, entertainment is not in short supply at the Tuscan outfit.

Beretta is boosted going into this game as he can call upon Simone Loria after suspension, with the central defender likely to be recalled in place of Andrea Rossi. On-loan Juventus full-back Paolo De Ceglie also looks set for a return to the starting XI, Daniele Ficagna being the unlucky player to make way, while the highly-rated Fernandro Forestieri could come in for Houssine Kharja with Tomas Locatelli dropping into a deeper role to accommodate the youngster.

Under Mimmo Di Carlo, Parma looked like they were heading to Serie B after struggling to put together a string of decent results. But with Argentine tactician Cuper at the helm they have already picked up a fantastic win over Palermo, despite playing much of the game with 10 men after McDonald Mariga’s wayward tackling saw him collect two needless yellow cards. Igor Budan, who has had an injury-hit campaign, netted both the goals – the second of which was a disputable penalty – to double his Serie A tally.

The Croatian hitman could form a battering ram of a strike duo with Bernardo Corradi and it is likely that the bruise brothers will be together from the start once again as Cuper sticks with his favoured 4-4-2 system. With two flying wingers in the form of Reginaldo and Andrea Gasbarroni, they should get plenty of service. The only change likely to be made from the side which beat Palermo 2-1 is set to come in midfield, with the suspended Mariga replaced by Daniele Dessena.

If previous meetings between the sides are anything to go by, those of you who fancy a cheeky punt are advised not to go with Siena as the Tuscan minnows have failed to beat Parma in nine Serie A attempts. The Ducali only have three wins to their name though, the most recent of which came almost a year ago to the day courtesy of an early goal by Gasbarroni. Earlier this season the game finished all-square thanks to Daniele Galloppa’s last-gasp equaliser for the Robur.

Keep an eye on: Massimo Maccarone (Siena) – The bald-headed hitman had an unsuccessful loan spell with Parma so he will be desperate to show the Ducali what they are missing.

Last season: Siena 2-2 Parma

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


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Siena (probable): Manninger; Rossettini, Loria, Portanova, De Ceglie; Coppola, Galloppa, Jarolim; Locatelli; Forestieri, Maccarone

Parma (probable): Bucci; Zenoni, Falcone, Paci, Castellini; Reginaldo, Dessena, Morrone, Gasbarroni; Budan, Corradi

Ref: To follow...

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[dukeofdavinci]

Cuper on fighting form Saturday 22 March, 2008

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Hector Cuper has got off to a fine start on the Parma bench, but warns there are “nine Finals” ahead, starting with today’s Siena dogfight.


“I have spoken to the team and asked them to maintain the tension. I know it’s not easy, as every now and then a player needs some time to relax,” explained the former Inter and Valencia boss.


“Unfortunately, we do not have time. I asked them to have the strength to manage this, because we cannot afford a single slip-up. Nine Finals await us.”


A victory would allow the Gialloblu to catch Siena on 32 points and increase their chances of survival.


“Siena have their own strategy, attack constantly and keep the defence very high up the field. But we will oppose them with our tactics and see what we can do.


“It is a difficult game, but we are confident. Whether I field one or two strikers is not as important as the wingers, as they are the ones who dictate if a side is attack-minded.”


Since taking over from Mimmo Di Carlo, Cuper has picked up a 1-1 draw away to Livorno and a 2-1 midweek victory against Palermo.


“Every player has the same chance of starting in any game. In my view that is the best way to give confidence and open up everyone’s ambition. This way everyone is ready to work and give their all.”


Ferdinand Coly is still receiving treatment and midfielder Macdonald Mariga is suspended following his dismissal against Palermo.

Parma squad: Bucci, Pavarini, Petr; Antonelli, Castellini, Couto, Falcone, Paci, Rossi, Zenoni; Cigarini, Dessena, Gasbarroni, Morrone, Parravicini, Pisanu; Morfeo, Budan, Corradi, Lucarelli, Reginaldo.

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[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 30 - 22/3/08 (14.00 UK)
Siena 2 - 0 Parma
Maccarone pen 86, 93 (S)
Stadio Franchi

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Massimo Maccarone's brace gave Siena a relegation six-pointer, but the deadlock was broken by a controversial penalty.

These teams were both on a roll and collided in Tuscany. Hector Cuper had four points from two games since replacing Domenico Di Carlo, while Siena had won three on the trot before a 4-0 pasting in Calabria and midweek draw at Catania. Simone Loria returned from a ban, but Macdonald Mariga was suspended for the visitors.

In the opening minute Alex Manninger pushed an Andrea Gasbarroni snapshot over the bar. Reginaldo's first touch let him down when he was sent clear by Luca Cigarini's assist.

Andrea Gasbarroni could not have come closer, as he skipped past two defenders and curled a right-foot effort on to the far post.

Parma lost Luca Bucci to a back problem, so he made way for Nicola Pavarini just after the restart. Tomas Locatelli came off the bench and had several dangerous attempts on goal.

It was a dour game, but the referee livened it up by pointing to the spot five minutes from time. He adjudged Zenoni to have hauled down Massimo Maccarone, though there are doubts as to whether the Siena player backed into his marker. Maccarone stepped up and smashed the penalty under the bar.

Parma poured forward looking for the equaliser, but left themselves exposed at the back for Maccarone to run on to Tomas Locatelli's assist and place a precise angled drive past Nicola Pavarini.


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Siena: Manninger; Bertotto; Portanova, Loria, De Ceglie; Jarolim, Coppola, Galloppa (Vergassola 53); Kharja (Locatelli 63); Frick (Rigano' 81), Maccarone

Parma: Bucci (Pavarini 51); Zenoni, Falcone, Paci, Castellini; Reginaldo, Morrone, Cigarini, Gasbarroni; Budan (Corradi 67), Lucarelli (Antonelli 84)

Ref: Celi

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