NOT AGAIN!!!

By: Francesco | November 26th, 2007

After the games against Palermo, Siena, and Juventus, where we conceded a last minute goal, you would think that the Gialloblu’ would have learned. Well that’s not the case, because for the 4th time in a row, Parma have given up a goal after the 85th minute and threw away more points. These are the points that are important in the race to avoid relegation. More after the jump.

Lazio were looking to win in honor of Gabriele Sandri, and a big banner with his picture on it hung in the Curva Nord where the Lazio Ultras sit. Before the game Lazio defender (and good friend) Lorenzo De Silvestri put flowers in front of the banner, along with ex-Lazio players Fernando Couto and Bernardo Corradi. Corradi was named captain for the match, which is strange since Luca Bucci started (Di Carlo still decides to impose a rotation policy with the goalkeepers). Di Carlo sent out a Roma-style 4-2-3-1, with Pisanu, Gasbarroni, and Reginaldo supporting Corradi, and Morrone and Cigarini holding the center of midfield. Overall, the game was a snoozefest and looked destined to finish 0-0. Lazio hit the post with Scaloni, and the crossbar with Firmani, and it looked as if it just wasn’t there day. The Gialloblu’ sat back and defended, creating very little and hoping for an away point. The game looked destined for a draw, the fans were starting to empty the Olimpico, but then in the 89th minute, Stephen Makinwa ran into the box on the right and played it back for Fabio Firmani, who took a shot from inside the box, which Bucci maybe would’ve saved, however it took and unlucky deflection off of Damiano Zenoni (playing for the suspended Ferdinand Coly), and went into the net, sending Delio Rossi and the rest of the Lazio players into shear joy and they all ran to Sandri’s banner.

After the match Parma president Ghirardi expressed his extreme discontent with the result, and said he would have a meeting with the players and Di Carlo on Tuesday to discuss the situation. Di Carlo said that Parma just lacks concentration, and that is in fact the problem.

On Sunday Empoli come to town and it will be a relegation dogfight of sorts since the Tuscans are low in the table as well. I have a feeling Sunday will be a last chance for both managers, and if Parma get a disappointing result Di Carlo will be gone, especially since there are some good managers free at the moment.

Speaking of free managers, today it was rumored that Di Carlo may be gone soon and to take his place would be the return of Alberto Malesani, who managed Parma in the late 90’s and won us some trophies. He may be able to spring some life back into the side, however he didn’t do such a great job with Udinese last season.

Most recently Malesani has been known for his outburst at a press conference when he was managing Panathiniakos in Greece. For the Italian speakers, watch this video, it’s hilarious. If you don’t understand Italian, you’ll get the gist anyway, but it’s funnier if you understand Italian.