Napoli-Parma, another away loss.

By: Francesco | December 10th, 2007

After another loss in an away game, one may ask the question, “Why does Parma even keep showing up?”. Their away form has been abysmal, and they just can’t seem to do anything away from the Tardini. However this game was a really good performance, and if the Gialloblu’ had their finishing boots on this wouldn’t have been a loss. More after the jump.

For this game Di Carlo decided to change the formation a bit, and went with a Milan-style “Albero Di Natale” (Christmas Tree) formation, also he probably wanted to keep with the holiday spirit (I know, bad joke). So he started Bucci in net, Coly on the right, Falcone and Paci in the middle, and Damiano Zenoni taking over for the injured Castellini at left-back. The 3 in midfield were Daniele Dessena, Francesco Parravicini, and a in a surprise move, Kenyan youngster McDonald Mariga, who made his first Serie A start. Then Il Capitano up top supported by Andrea Pisanu, who his clearly having his best season as a pro, and Reginaldo, who is going through a really poor run of form at the moment.

The match started with a chance to each side, Mariga headed over off of a free kick and Lavezzi missed a chance and then did his best Antonio Cassano impersonation, kicking the corner flag, which got him a yellow and a suspension for next week.

On 18 minutes a beautiful move from Napoli resulted in the opening goal. A backheel from Lavezzi reached Mariano Bogliacino, who’s perfect chip over the defense found Marcelo Zalayeta who finished with a beautiful scissor kick.

Right before half-time Reginaldo ruined a golden opportunity for the equalizer as Pisanu’s beautiful ball across the box would’ve been easily tapped in by Bernardo Corradi, but Reginaldo came in front of him and messed it up completely.

After the half Dessena had a chance and the impressive Mariga fired over the crossbar, and then Dessena was taken off for Morfeo to give the side more creativity.

Giulio Falcone then made a goal line clearance on Lavezzi’s shot, and then blocked Bogliacino’s follow-up as well.

Massimo Paci got forward and unleashed a rocket that just sailed over the bar, and Corradi had a nice chance deflected out for a corner but Parma just couldn’t score on the day and it finished 1-0.

The loss didn’t leave Parma in that bad of a spot, on 15 points (3 away from Milan, yay!), but the next game is a pretty important clash against Reggina and ex-Parma boss Renzo Ulivieri (what’s with facing all the ex-bosses all of sudden?) at the Tardini which can erase this loss from Parma’s memory.

Highlights

Funny story from today, Domenico Morfeo is claiming that some Napoli fan was pointing a laser pointer in his face the whole time he was on the pitch and wants to make an official complaint to the Lega Calcio. We’ll see how that goes…

Ratings:

Bucci 6 Napoli shot on goal twice. The first one was a goal, the second was saved by Falcone.

Falcone 6 The best defender of the night. Saves a goal as well.

Paci 5.5 He let Zalayeta go on the first goal. He doesn’t seem like the player we saw against Empoli.

Coly 5 Doesn’t work much on the wing, and allows too many players to pass him. Doesn’t impress.

Dessena 5 Bad performance from the young starlet. In the middle of the first half Di Carlo puts him on the wing, which is clearly not his position. Di Carlo has to find out how to get this young talent back into form.

Mariga 6 In his first start in Serie A he shows he has lots of personality. Moves a lot and closes down his opponents. Needs to make better attacking runs however.

Zenoni 5.5 Usually a right-back, he suffered on the opposite flank in place of Castellini.

Parravicini 5 Had to organize the play in place of the suspended Cigarini, but he doesn’t. However regista is not really his position.

Morfeo 6 Does little but gains a free kick that could’ve been decisive.

Corradi 6 Like always he fights like a lion up top. But the problem is he has to start scoring goals.

Pisanu 6.5 Demonstrates that he is in a great state of form. Only thing missing was a goal.

Paponi s.v. Only 5 minutes for the young striker.

Matteini s.v. He has too little time to make an impression.

Reginaldo 5 He had a golden opportunity but messed it up. Parma expects a lot more from the Brazilian.