Will we ever get points on the road?

By: Francesco | December 23rd, 2007

That’s the question I ask. Will we ever get points on the road? I feel like going to a psychic or a fortune teller or something and asking that very question. With the 1-0 loss, Parma again fail to get vital points away and seem to get scared when they are not playing in a stadium named Stadio Ennio Tardini. More on the game after the jump.

Parma and Genoa started the games as expected, Parma with the 4-2-3-1 and Genoa

with the 3-4-3. The start of the game was pretty much all Genoa, with Parma just looking to break up their attacks and go on the counter. Bucci made a beautiful reaction save on Borriello’s shot, and it looked like Parma were holding well. Corradi was doing lots of hard work up top, Zenoni was performed admirably on his not natural left wing, and Morrone was fighting like a lion in midfield. Gasbarroni, who was excellent last week, seemed a little off, however Reginaldo as well was out of it.

First, before getting to the crucial part of the game, let me say that referee Girardi was a clown. He failed to really take control of the game was too card happy, just throwing out the yellow card at will and making some questionable calls. However he made it really clear that he did not want to see shirt pulling in the box, and Massimo Paci must’ve not been listening.

In the 41st minute on a corner kick, Paci clearly tugged Borriello down and Girardi was watching the whole thing. He gave a penalty, which Borriello converted.

The second half was pretty drab, with Genoa controlling and Parma not doing much to find an equalizer. Morrone had a razor shot stopped by Rubinho, and Luca Cigarini had a nice free kick tipped over by the Brazilian keeper (however Girardi failed to give a corner).

Gasbarroni was taken off (he was angry as well) for Matteini and Reginaldo was off for 19 year old striker Daniele Paponi.

In the end Genoa had multiple chances to make it 2-0 but failed to do so, and the final whistle blew just as Papa Waigo scored in an offside position.

Parma go into the break on 18 points (tied with Milan!), not terrible, but certainly with more cynicism, experience, and guile this squad could’ve been a lot higher in the table.

HIGHLIGHTS

RATINGS

Bucci 7 Some great saves to keep Genoa at 1 goal.

Falcone 6 Suffers from Borriello’s dynamic play, but had a better second half.

Paci 5.5 Clearly caused the penalty from which Genoa scored.

Coly 5 Doesn’t push up the wing much and doesn’t do much better in the defensive part of the field.

Cigarini 6 Good start, but then fell asleep. Good free kick in the second half.

Dessena s.v. not enough minutes.

Zenoni 6 good effort in a position that is not his, but made a bad back pass that almost allowed Borriello to score a second goal.

Gasbarroni 6.5 Good game and was dangerous, but appeared to get hurt and Di Carlo subbed him off.

Morrone 6 Fights in midfield, and takes a nice shot that is saved.

Corradi 5 Isn’t able to shoot on goal once and loses many aerial battles.

Pisanu 6.5 Positive performance, lots of running and passing.

Paponi s.v. few minutes to make a difference.

Matteini 5.5 always controlled by the Genoa defense.

Reginaldo 5.5 the Brazilian still fails to shine.

BUON NATALE! - MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Finally I just want to add a Buon Natale and Happy New Year to all! I’ll be on vacation on January 3rd, so the blog won’t be updated but expect to read more about the Gialloblu’ when I get back!