Serie A' MD34: Parma - Napoli [19-04-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 34 - 20/4/08 (14.00 UK)

Parma - Napoli
Stadio Tardini

Parma have everything to play for as they cling on to their Serie A status, while Napoli arrive at the Stadio Tardini guaranteed to finish somewhere in the middle of the pack.

Pre-season optimism quickly dissipated at Parma and was replaced by fear. A dismal run, which led to the dismissal of Coach Domenico Di Carlo, left the Ducali with one toe in the relegation quicksand and new boss Hector Cuper will need all his tactical nous to lead the Emilia-Romagna outfit clear of danger.

Cuper’s appointment brought a wave of confidence, but the change has been subtle rather than dramatic and the Crociati remain 17th after digging deep for a 1-1 draw against fellow strugglers Empoli last weekend. A win here is crucial to put the pressure on Reggina, who face Milan, and Livorno, who are at Roma, and Cuper knows that a draw just isn’t enough. Next week’s trip to Reggina could be pivotal, but the Gialloblu must build a safety buffer so they don’t have to rely on picking up points from Fiorentina and Inter in the final fortnight.

Napoli boss Edy Reja has had his ups and downs this season, but he is set to be awarded a new contract after a successful term of consolidation. The newly promoted side are closer to UEFA Cup contention than the drop zone and last weekend’s 2-0 win over Atalanta confirmed that they have what it takes to finish in the top half.

If Reja can keep Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi and add some summer reinforcements, this side could be headed for a triumphant return to Europe. However, one thing to work on is the Vesuviani’s travel sickness – they have won just twice away from the cauldron of the Stadio San Paolo and have been beaten 10 times on the road.

Napoli won 1-0 when the two sides met in Week 15 thanks to a super strike from Marcelo Zalayeta. There will be no repeat because the Uruguayan international is out for the remainder of the season. Parma have beaten Napoli this term however, as they knocked them out of the Coppa Italia, and the Neapolitan side have lost their last six League games at the Tardini.

Parma are fighting fatigue after playing Juventus in a rescheduled game in midweek. Defender Massimo Paci is banned and will be replaced by Fernando Couto or Marco Rossi. Senegalese stopper Ferdinand Coly and midfielder Andrea Pisanu are injured.

Reja has no new injury woes, but former Parma man Matteo Contini and Michele Pazienza are suspended. There may be some tension between defender Fabiano Santacroce and Argentine striker Lavezzi after the duo came to blows at a team meal.

Keep an eye on: Marek Hamsik (Napoli) – The talented Slovakian midfielder is reportedly on Juventus and Manchester United’s wish lists and was the Partenopei’s key man yet again last weekend.

Last season: Not played

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

Parma (probable): Bucci; Zenoni, Couto, Falcone, Castellini; Dessena, Mariga, Parravicini, Antonelli; Reginaldo, Corradi

Napoli (probable): Iezzo; Santacroce, Cannavaro, Domizzi; Mannini, Blasi, Gargano, Hamsik, Savini; Calaiò; Lavezzi

Ref: To follow...

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[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 34 - 20/4/08 (14.00 UK)

Parma 1 - 2 Napoli
Budan pen 23 (P), Domizzi pen 45 (N), Bogliacino 72 (N)
Stadio Tardini

Parma ended the game with eight men against Napoli's 10 after a powderkeg of a match with some dreadful refereeing decisions.

Paolo Cannavaro faced his former club, but another ex-Parma star Matteo Continu was suspended along with Michele Pazienza. Napoli were targeting the Intertoto Cup, but for Hector Cuper's men survival was the ultimate goal. At least the Gialloblu knew they had already beaten them earlier this season, knocking them out of the Coppa Italia, but went into this game without Fernando Couto, Reginaldo, Bernardo Corradi, Ferdinand Coly or Andrea Pisanu.

Ezequiel Lavezzi had penalty appeals turned away for a Paolo Castellini nudge and Luca Bucci comfortably smothered a Mariano Bogliacino strike. Paci did very well to close down Marek Hamsik when clear on goal, as Napoli dominated the early phases.

The referee pointed to the spot for Fabiano Santacroce's challenge on Cristiano Lucarelli, but replays suggest if anything the Parma player was doing more of the shirt dragging. There was a curious moment as Cigarini and Igor Budan argued over who would take the penalty, but Budan won and fired a powerful yet central kick into the net.

Bogliacino failed to make the most of a Lavezzi cross from six yards, but in first half stoppages Parma went a man down. Mannini's header cracked against the crossbar and as both went for the rebound he collided with Mariga McDonald. The referee suggested this was a foul and last man, but the replays again leave quite a lot of doubt. Maurizio Domizzi blasted the penalty under the crossbar to equalise.

Despite playing with 10 men, Parma risked going in front again with Gennaro Iezzo blocking an Andrea Gasbarroni free kick. At the other end Bogliacino's diving header shaved the post.

Falcone charged down a Lavezzi strike from eight yards, but Napoli eventually got a deserved lead through Bogliacino's powerful left-foot volley at the near post from Marek Hamsik's cross.

The tension was palpable and when Lavezzi was hacked down by Castellini and only booked, a brawl broke out between the two teams. Walter Gargano and Giulio Falcone were sent off for their part in the vicious row, but Castellini remained on the field.

It was boiling point at the Tardini and minutes later Gasbarroni was shown a straight red card for a truly appalling kick on the back of Garics' legs.

Substitute Roberto Sosa was about to make it 3-1 for Napoli, but Bucci parried the shot with his legs. Yet Lucarelli almost drew eight-man Parma level with an angled drive beaten away by Iezzo's legs at the near post.

Sosa blasted another great opportunity over under pressure from Paci, but Parma thought they had equalised three minutes from time. Iezzo spilled Domenico Morfeo's shot into the path of Lucarelli, but he was flagged marginally offside.

Sosa had the chance to finish it off in stoppages and shaved a coat off paint off the base of the near post.

Parma: Bucci; Zenoni, Paci, Falcone, Castellini; Mariga; Cigarini, Morrone; Gasbarroni; Budan (Morfeo 46), Lucarelli

Napoli: Iezzo; Santacroce, Cannavaro, Domizzi (Grava 67); Mannini, Blasi, Gargano, Hamsik, Savini (Garics 46); Bogliacino; Lavezzi (Sosa 79)

Ref: Ayroldi

Sent off: Mariga 45 (P), Gargano 76 (N), Falcone 76 (P), Gasbarroni 80 (P)

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