Parma-Udinese 2-0, Di Carlo saved by win

By: Francesco | February 28th, 2008

Domenico Di Carlo went into this game facing the chop, but came out of the game being confirmed as the Parma boss for the rest of the season. More on the game after the jump.

Di Carlo started the game with a surprise. He knew Udinese would attack, so he put out an attacking 4-3-3 formation of his own. Bucci was in net, Coly returned at right back, Zenoni moved to left back, and Marco Rossi and Giulio Falcone started in the center. The 3 man midfield consisted of McDonald Mariga, Stefano Morrone, and Paolo Castellini. The trio up front was Pisanu-Lucarelli-Reginaldo.

An interesting fact was that Parma-Udinese had not ended in a draw in 8 years, the last one coming in April of 2000. Some people were expecting another goalfest, as both teams were not playing particularly well on defense, but the game was the complete opposite, a borefest.

Highlights:

The first half was very dull, with lots of passing and no shooting. Udinese had one chance that was wide. Lucarelli shot straight at Chimenti on the breakaway. After halftime Udinese started to press forward and Cigarini was brought on to sort things out in midfield. In the 78th minute Parma went in front. A free-kick was sent in from the left by Andrea Pisanu, and Lucarelli timed his falling volley perfectly, and it skipped past Chimenti in the Udinese net. Hopefully Lucarelli can keep scoring and become a goal machine again.

Then to close out the game, Pinzi fouled Budan in the box, and the ref pointed to the spot. Luca Cigarini stepped up and calmly slotted it home for the 2-0 victory.

The win was good for table position as well. Empoli were stopped at Palermo, and Livorno fell to Fiorentina in the Tuscan derby. Siena won at the last second vs. Cagliari at home, so that puts Siena, Parma, and Empoli all on 25 points, 2 above third to last Livorno (what happened to the Camolese resurgence Marco?).

After the game Ghirardi said he had not contacted any managers during the week and that Di Carlo would retain his position until the end of the season (yeah, until we start losing again).

This Saturday is a tough match-up away to Roma, and if history says anything, it’s that we NEVER do well against Roma, especially at the Olimpico. But the squad has to go there and play like it knows how, and if it does, we can maybe steal a result.

Preview up tomorrow.

AVANTI CROCIATI!