Sorry for the Absence- But I’m back in full force with some more Parma News

By: Francesco | February 14th, 2008

I want to apologize to my loyal readers (if I have any) for not being around over the last week and updating everyone on all news Gialloblu’. I’ve just been really busy but I’m back and ready to post in full force.

In case you haven’t noticed (who am I kidding, it’s Thursday!), Parma and Cagliari went ahead and had themselves a relegation battle over the weekend, and it really didn’t help either side, ending 1-1 and a point really does nothing for both sides.

Cagliari went ahead on an absolutely fantastic goal from Jeda, who just a couple of weeks ago was plying his trade in Serie B with Rimini. Parma quickly got back with a goal from Reginaldo (finally!), who relied on lucky bounces to control the ball and volley it under the keeper’s legs. However both sides were afraid to lose, and decided to draw.

Highlights:

It is clear that the squad is suffering right now. And I really don’t think Di Carlo has a hold of the team anymore. It’s really not his fault, it is only his first year in Serie A, but it’s time for him to go. Ghirardi gave him the famous vote of confidence after the game, but I think he’s really on the edge.

There were rumors that during the week Ghirardi had contacted Il Trap (Giovanni Trapattoni), but Trap decided to take his holy water and catenaccio to the shores of Ireland, where he will take charge of the Irish and try to qualify them for the 2010 World Cup (and he will face Italy in qualifying, what a great scenario.) However Ghirardi turned the rumors away.

This weekend is a tough encounter with Milan at the Tardini, who were just held by Livorno and lost Ronaldo (maybe forever?). Milan want points to take over fourth place, but we also want points to escape the drop.

I think this may be Di Carlo’s make or break game. If we put in a decent performance, maybe get a draw, even a shock win, Di Carlo will stay. But if we lose, I think Ghirardi will finally give Mimmo the chop, because we are in such a delicate position in the table, and Ghirardi had been hoping to be safely mid-table at this point in the season. It really is slim pickings out there for a new manager, the best choice I could think of is Gigi Cagni at the moment.

Other bad news is that Lucarelli had to come off due to injury vs. Cagliari and is in doubt for Saturday’s game.

I hope we can get a result, but it will be tough, just like every game this season. Hopefully we get back on track.

Transfer Rumor

Ghirardi was asked if he was interested in Arezzo’s center defender Andrea Ranocchia, class of 1988, and already a few appearances with the U-21 side, but Ghirardi said they are asking for too much money (they are Serie C1 club), and that if they keep asking for that kind of money nobody will buy him (Fiorentina, Udinese, and Livorno all seem to be interested).

That’s it for now, I’ll get a Parma-Milan preview up tomorrow.

Forza Parma!