Parma-Milan, Pivotal Match for the Gialloblu’ Season

By: Francesco | February 15th, 2008

Tomorrow at the Stadio Ennio Tardini in Parma at 12 PM EST is probably one of the pivotal games of the season for the Gialloblu’. More on the game after the jump.

Tomorrow it is make or break day. Parma haven’t been playing well, while Milan have had a good start to 2008, pulling within one point of 4th place Fiorentina, although losing Ronaldo (maybe forever), Pato (should be back soon), and Kaka (back this weekend).

The only way to beat Milan is to attack them and attack their weak spot, which is many times the back line. They don’t defend set pieces well, and Kaladze is very mistake prone. Di Carlo cannot let the team sit back and let Milan pass the ball around and play their game.

However, we are facing a Milan side which is thinking about Champions League. Therefore, Pirlo may be rested, leaving them with a tough midfield of Emerson, Ambrosini, and Gattuso. They are predicting a 4-5-1, with Serginho playing left midfield, and Kaka in support of Pippo Inzaghi (who spent some time with the Gialloblu’ back in the day). Seedorf, Pato, and of course Ronaldo are unavailable. Nesta is back to strengthen the defense.

On the Parma side of things, Corradi is serving a one game suspension because of yellow card accumulation, and Lucarelli is still recovering but it looks like he will start from the bench. Igor Budan is ready but hasn’t had real match minutes, so he may start from the bench as well. Di Carlo may start a 4-3-3, with a trident attack of Gasbarroni, Reginaldo, and Pisanu, and a midfield of Morrone, Cigarini, and Dessena. If he wants to go a little more conservative, Dessena would be out, and Budan would come in to a straight 4-4-2 with Gasbarroni in support of the Croatian striker. Another notable thing is the presence of Domenico Morfeo in the squad. He didn’t leave in January and it looks like Di Carlo is trying to patch things up with the Misunderstood Genius/Wizard of Bergamo/Antonio Cassano the First. I know Di Carlo is trying to show he’s the boss, but this team needs Morfeo. At times he can do magical things with the ball, and Parma are in dire need of someone who can change the game at any moment. He will be on the bench and hopefully comes on at some point during the game.

Ghirardi once again confirmed Di Carlo today, and said “You keep asking me, and I keep saying he is staying, so he is staying!” But I wouldn’t believe the Lord of Prosciutto on this one. If Parma lose this game I think Di Carlo will get the axe, it’s really overdue. However if Ghirardi decides to keep Di Carlo, I hate to say it but I think he’ll take us to Serie B. And that’s not where Parma is supposed to be.

But for now let’s just think about the present, and the game tomorrow. It will be televised live at 12 PM EST on RAI International in the USA; FSC will probably show it later in the day since they have to show two teams from the EPL hit long balls back and forth or something.

AVANTI CROCIATI!