Classic Serie A Match; Bologna v Parma 18th June 2005 (Done for The Gentleman Ultra)
16 - Fiorentina 42pts 17 - Parma 42pts 18 - Bologna 42pts This is how the Serie A table looked for three of Italy’s most famous clubs come the end of the 2004-2005 season. With Brescia and Atalanta already relegated on 41 and 35 points respectively the question now, was who would join them? Fiorentina were the lucky ones as they had a greater head to head against the two biggest clubs from Emilia Romagna. This meant it was down to a two legged Derby Dell’Emilia to decide things. Bologna came out on top in the first leg at Parma’s Stadio EnnioTardini, winning 0-1 thanks to an Igli Tare strike. The tie also saw Parma keeper’ Luca Bucci and Bologna’s Christian Amoruso sent off after a clash at the end, this meant they would be missing for the return leg. Bologna welcomed their neighbours to the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on the evening of 18th June in confident mood following on from there 0-1 win at the Tardini. Parma however, were always going to be dangerous with 22 year old Alberto Gilardino leading their line, having already bagged 23 goals that season. The atmosphere was electric, the players faces intense, full of concentration, this was massive, there was so much at stake. The worlds top referee Pierluigi Collina got the game underway, it was a scrappy start with, both teams creating half chances. The players were clearly nervous, not wanting to make a mistake. The away side would take the lead in the 16th minute as Guiseppe Cardone beat the Bologna defence to finish from a Parma corner sending the Gialloblu faithful behind the goal into ecstasy. It was all square and game on. The goal really settled Parma and the confidence began to grow. Australian midfielder Mark Bresciano nearly doubled the lead as his ambitious long range drive had Gianluca Pagliuca beaten. Unfortunately for him it flew over the bar. This gave Bologna a much needed wake up call and they in response had chances of their own, forcing the best out of young French goalkeeper Sebastian Frey. Parma seemed rattled and Frey was forced into an unbelievable stop as an Igle Tare header to Frey’s right saw him somehow claw the ball away. It was end to end stuff now and Pagluica was forced into a good save at his near post from another Parma corner. Frey was also performing more heroics he was really impressing and keeping his side in it. Bologna managed to keep Alberto Gilardino quiet as half time neared. That was until the 45th minute, when he pounced to score probably the easiest of his all of his 23 goals. He got on the end of a low cross ball to tap home from close range, over the barrier he went, fists pumping towards the Parma fans, they knew how big this goal was. The half would end 0-2. As the second half began Carlo Mazzone’s Bologna knew they had a mountain to climb but the came out the traps flying, Parma didn’t know what hit them and had Sebastian Frey to thank for making another hand full superlative saves. Frey was eventually beaten though as Ciro Capuano headed past him. Collina however, spotted something and ruled it out, replays would show that Capuano had actually scored a ‘hand of god’ type goal, it had been correctly ruled it out. What followed was 45 minutes continual Bologna attacking but Parma managed to hang on to win 2-1 on aggregate. This was thanks to the brilliance of Sebastian Frey whose goalkeeping brilliance had sent their great rivals down to Serie B, making the victory that little bit more special. http://youtu.be/lmK4oP5L4k8 By Giovanni Dougall @giovannid86
0 Comments
Parma took to the field for the first time this evening since being officially declared bankrupt, as Roberto Donadoni’s men welcomed Torino to the Tardini. The Ducali also had problems on the field as well as off it, with first choice goalkeeper Antonio Mirante suspended along with Jose Maur and Massimo Gobbii. The home side started the game brightly and Antonio Nocerino came close to giving Parma the lead but his fourth minute volley sailed narrowly over the bar. Torino struggled to get going, Parma were on top and could have gone in front had Belfodil or Massimo Coda taken a chance on Silvestre Varela’s dangerous cross. Parma really should have taken the lead on the 15 minute mark, however Massimo Coda’s lack of confidence showed, the young forward was clean through on goal but he tried to square it to Belfodil only for the Algerian to be smothered by Padelli in the Torino goal. Two minutes later the visitors went in front, very much against the run of play, as Maxi Lopez got the better on veteran Alessandro Lucarelli, the Argentine kept his composure and slid the ball past Parma’s stand in keeper’ Iacobucci to take the lead. The games big talking point came ten minutes before half time as Parma captain Alessandro Lucarelli controversially saw red, Lucarelli jumped with Fabio Quagliarella only to be penalised for jumping with his ‘elbow’, Lucarelli was harshly given a yellow card, then the months of frustration and rage came out as the defender lost it with referee Mariani, Lucarelli was swiftly given a straight red for his strong protest, Lucarelli finally left the pitch livid with what had just unfolded. Five minutes later Parma’s lack of quality in front of goal showed again as Belfodil just had to hit the target and he scored, however he somehow managed to completely miss his kick from 18 yards to send the ball pathetically out for a Torino goal kick. Parma started the second half the same as the first, very much on top, Torino looked like the team with ten men. Belfodil showed a rare glimpse of what he is capable of as he struck the post on the hour mark, after a great run through the Torino defence. Torino undeservedly doubled their lead, and wrapped up the three points as Varela was caught sleeping at the back post, Migjen Basha ran past the Portuguese to head home a Christian Molinao cross. Belfodil again had chances to get Parma back in the game but his finishing was truly awful, It was a spirited performance from the home team but it was I Granata that left the Tardini victorious. Giovanni Dougall @giovannid86 Parma takes to the field for the first time on Sunday since officially being declared bankrupt. The Ducali will be trying to put the horrendous off field problems out their minds for 90 minutes as they welcome Giampiero Ventura’s impressive Torino to the Tardini in this week 28 clash.
Torino will be looking to bounce back after their impressive Europa League run came to an end on Thursday night at the hands of Zenit St Petersburg. With Toro narrowly missing out 2-1 on aggregate. As for Parma they are merely playing for pride and for their fans now, while the courts were declaring Parma bankrupt on Thursday, Roberto Donadoni put his side through their paces as they beat local side Fidenza 6-0 at Collecchio. After last week’s 4-1 defeat at local rivals Sassuolo, Parma will have to make do without Antonio Mirante, who saw red at the Mapei Stadium, veteran Massimo Gobbi and Jose Mauri will also miss out due to suspension. Torino come into this game on the back of two narrow defeats in the last two rounds and will be hoping to get back to winning ways on Sunday afternoon. Parma were haunted by old boy Nicola Sansone last week and they will have to be on the lookout for another this week in the form of Amauri as he looks heap more misery on his former employers. These two were batteling it out for a Europa League spot last year and a win for Torino could see them jump above Genoa and Inter into seventh place, as for Parma last year’s Europa League dream is all but a distant memory now as they side rock bottom of Serie A. The last time these sides met back in October, Torino came out on top thanks to an early Matteo Darmian strike securing a narrow 1-0 victory. Probable Line Up’s Parma; Iacobucci, Lucarelli, Santacroce, Costa, Cassani, Nocerino, Mariga, Varela, Galloppa, Belfodil, Coda. Torino; Padeli, Jansson, Bovo, Peres, Moretti, Benassi, Gonzalez, Darmian, Farnerud, Quagliarella, Lopez. By Giovanni Dougall @giovannid86 It was only a matter of time but today the devastating news finally came and Parma FC have officially been declared bankrupt and put into administration.
After president Giampietro Manenti was arrested yesterday, Parma had their day in court this morning. The Ducali chose not to fight the bankruptcy proceedings meaning the verdict was a certainty. This morning’s hearing lasted just 10 minutes, and hours later the news came that Parma would be declared bankrupt. The Emiliani have well over 100 million euros of debt outstanding and players and staff have failed to be paid all season, the club has also switched hands twice in as many months for one euro each both times. Today’s verdict triggered an emergency loan fund from Lega Serie A which will enable Parma to see out their remaining fixtures for the rest of the season in Serie A. The court today named Angelo Anedda and Alberto Guiotto as administrators and they will be tasked with finding new owners for Parma. If new owners are found they will have to pay at least £70 million sporting debt to enable The Ducali to continue and play in Serie B next term. Failure to find new owners will see the end of Parma FC as we know them and they will be forced to drop down to Italy’s fourth division under a new name. By Giovanni Dougall @giovannid86 Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse at the soap opera that is Parma FC, this morning saw the proverbial well and truly hit the fan. Giampietro Minenti, the man who promised so much to save this famous club was this morning arrested for embezzlement and money laundering. Manenti who bought he club at the turn of the year for just one euro had continually promised the Parma players, staff and fans alike he had the money to bail them out. Staff and players at the Emiliani hadn’t and still haven’t seen a single Euro enter their bank accounts from their employers since July 2014. Suspicions first started circulating when Manenti failed to pay the players on the deadline of February 17th. With Manenti insisting the money was there, claiming he transferred it on his lap top at home, no money showed up, surprise, surprise. Manenti then vanished oversees trying to sort out ‘technical issues’ with the bank transfer, while all the time still insisting he had the money, the whole thing stunk. After today’s revelations it turns out the money was actually there just not legally, hence the lap top story and trips oversees. It’s been reported in Italy today that Manenti teamed up with experts in Internet and credit card fraud in order to get finances, as another 21 associates were arrested along with ‘the president’. With the club sitting rock bottom of the Serie A table, A £72m debt and a bankruptcy hearing on Thursday what next for The Ducali? Club captain Alessandro Lucarelli, who has been the perfect role model and complete professional throughout this whole ordeal as spokesman and leader for the players, staff and fans, vented his anger and frustration this morning, telling La Repubblica “I am bitter, there’s just a desire to shut everything down. Parma’s turned into a disgusting farce” “It’s been difficult to take to the pitch for some time now and we’re still being dealt blows” While Lucarelli showed his passion for the club, Primavera coach Hernan Crespo was “Lost for words” at the latest twist in the tail of his beloved Parma, Crespo told Calcionews24.com “Look we no longer know what to say” “Unfortunately something terribly serious happened yet again” “Don’t ask me anymore, this is an excessively difficult moment” Crespo was clearly hurting as he struggled to reply to reporters, now Parma’s main focus is on tomorrow (19th March 2015) date in court at the bankruptcy hearing, this is where Parma will learn their fate. Parma’s best option being declared bankrupt and allowed to continue next season in Serie B with new owners. With today’s developments regarding Manenti, Parma need to find new owners quickly, who are able to settle the debt. Potential new owner Alfredo Scaccia today claiming he “Has what it takes” to save Parma. Scaccia an Italian businessman has been linked with the club and today failed to deny these links, in fact quite the opposite, when discussing mayor Pizzarotti’s criteria for taking over the club Scaccia went on to say. “I think my profile those criteria, and for this reason I asked the mayor for a meeting” “In an operation to save the club I could be assisted by some businessmen from London who work in flourishing markets” “I think I have what it takes to give it a go” Tomorrow is one massive day for Parma FC and its future, with the revelations coming out each passing week who knows what will happen tomorrow or in the weeks and months to come, as Parma fans we can only hope and pray things will work out well in the end and our marvellous club can be saved. #saveparma By Giovanni Dougall @giovannid86 Classic Parma; Parma v Torino 05/12/1999 (A piece I done for The Gentleman Ultra)
Alberto Melesani and his Parma side welcomed lowly Torino to the Stadio Ennio Tardini on the afternoon of December 5th 1999. Parma were flying high in Serie A and in their debut season in the UEFA Champions League were in confident mood and had every reason to be. With talent like Lilian Thuram, Fabio Cannavaro and the deadly Hernan Crespo at his disposal the only main absentee on this week 12 fixture was Gianluigi Buffon in the Parma goal. As for Emiliano Mondonico’s Torino, they were the complete opposite, fighting it out at the wrong end of the table hoping for Serie A survival. The Curva Nord was packed and jumping as it always was in Parma’s glory days. The yellow & blue ‘Boys 1977’ flags and scarves of the ultras flew proudly behind ex Parma keeper Lucca Bucci’s goal as the game prepared to get underway. Parma flew out the traps and before Torino knew what was going on it was 1-0 down. Within the first five minutes their talisman Hernan Crespo volleyed home his eighth goal of the season in front of the Curva Nord sending them wild. Mondonico’s Torino would eventually settle after such a poor start and would have chances of there own as Ilija Ivic’s spectacular overhead kick almost looped in beyond Matteo Gurdalben who was deputising for Buffon. Gardalben was called into action again palming two more shots away as Torino continued to press for the equaliser. As Torino pressed Parma caught them on the counter and Ortega really should have made it two as the ball fell to him 12 yards out with just Bucci to beat, he somehow managed to rattle the left hand post. Parma were on top again and it was Crespo’s turn to spurn a good opportunity as he burst clean through on Bucci only for his former teammate to smother him. Ortega again missed the chance to get Parma’s second as a long ball sent him clear. He was upended leaving referee De Santis with no choice but to award the penalty. Ortega stepped up and casually and rolled the ball past past the post sending Bucci the wrong way. It was only a matter of time before Parma got their second and were out of sight. Ariel Ortega finally got his goal getting on the end of a Hernan Crespo flick on volleying home from 18 yards. Torino had a mountain to climb, Emiliano Mondonico sat head in hands, a defeated man as Parma went in two goals to the good at half time. As the second half got underway Parma continued to pour forward and were far the superior team, it could have been three, four, five or six quite easily. They did get their third on 59 minutes as a dangerous ball from Parma’s left found Crespo who fired home from close rage, 3-0 and game over. Torino were a beaten team and Parma soon added a fourth with the help of André Cruz who failed to deal with a Parma cross from the left, he seemed to just let the ball hit him as it rolled past the helpless Bucci in the Torino goal. 4-0. Cruz would redeem himself slightly as it was Parma’s turn to fail to defend. A cross ball from a Torino free kick helped Cruz to get on the end of it, poking home from close range. This would be the last action of the half and 4-1 it would finish to Alberto Malesani’s impressive Parma.Parma would go on to finish a solid fifth in Serie A, seeing them qualify for Europe yet again. As for Torino they would see themselves relegated to Serie B. http://youtu.be/eEMBrODH2Eg By Giovanni Dougall @giovannid86 It was the story of a former player out to prove a point today. Nicola Sansone gave Parma the run around this afternoon with an outstanding performace. It was only 14 months ago Sansone was wearing the colours of Parma, but with opportunities limited Sansone was allowed to leave for Sassuolo where he is now one of Serie A’s hottest young prospects. The Boys 1977 travelled in force today to support their troubled club, and the started the game well, with Ishak Belfodil continuing his good form causing some early problems. It was Belfodil who earned the away side a dangerous freekick on the edge of the box on the five minute mark, but Jose Mauri sent the ball sailing over the bar. The home side settled and they would take the lead on the 23rd minute, with Parma failing to deal with a cross from the right Sansone was found ghosting in to tap home from close range, on second viewing there may have been suspicions of offside but the goal stood. The lead would only last three minutes though as Parma new boy Andi Lila cut in side to let fly from some 20 yards, his effort taking a huge deflection taking it past the helpless Andrea Consigli in the Sassuolo goal. Parma were level for just ten minutes, As Nicola Sansone put his team back in front and in spectacular fashion, Sansone receiving the ball some 30 yards out hit an incredible thunderbolt which had Antonio Mirante desperately diving to his left, but Sansone had beaten him all ends up, it was a truly special strike from a special young player. Robert Donadoni’s side just couldn’t deal with their former colleague, and as half time drew near Sansone was at it again dancing round the Parma defence setting up Domenico Berardi who fired high and wide. Eusabio Di Francesco’s side should have been out of sight 10 minutes into the second half as Simone Zaza left Mattia Cassani for dead with his blistering pace forcing a good stop out of Mirante. Donadoni threw on Massimo Coda as Parma chased an equaliser. Sassuolo would be out of site however as on the hour mark Antonio Mirante was alleged to have clipped Sansone’s heals as he bared down on goal, Mirante would see red and Domenico Berardi would step up to make it 3-1 sending Alessandro Iacobucci the wrong way. Things went from bad to worse for the visitors as Sansone set up Simone Missiroli to make it 4-1 with an impressive 20 yard strike, the ball kissing the inside of the post as it flew past the helpless Iacobucci. Roberto Donadoni looked a broken man as he sat their slumped in his seat for the 90 minutes, it’s the first time this season it looks like Parma’s troubles have finally taken their toll on the manager. Parma would finally see the back of Sansone as Di Francesco replaced him with 20 minutes to go. Credit to Parma though as they could easily have let the heads go down and give up, they kept plugging away and were unlucky when Massimo Coda’s header was ruled out for an offside on Alessandro Lucarelli, Coda came close again moments later with a header from a Nocerino freekick but Consigli was equal to it. 4-1 was how it finished, today belonged to Sassuolo and in particular Nicola Sansone who ran the show against his former employers with an outstanding man of the match display. Sassuolo: Consigli, Gazzola, Acerbi, Peluso, Longhi, Taider, Magnanelli, Missiroli (Biondini, 69), Berardi (Floro Flores, 69), Zaza, Sansone (Floccari, 73) Parma: Mirante, Santacroce (Cassani, 46), Mendes, Lucarelli, Gobbi, Jose Mauri, Gallopa, Varela, (Iacobucci, 60) Lila (Costa, 58), Nocerino, Belfodil By Giovanni Dougall @giovannid86 It’s derby day at the Mapei Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Roberto Donadoni’s men make the short 71km journey south to face Eusabio Di Francesco’s Sassuolo. The Ducali returned to action last weekend where they etched out a 0-0 draw at home to Atalanta, A result they will take, given Parma hadn’t kicked a ball in two weeks. It’s been another whirlwind week for Parma as the bankruptcy date in court of 19th March looms round the corner, it has been reported that on Wednesday president Manenti turned down a 500,000 Euro offer from a London based company to take control of the club and take on its debts. This week has also seen a group of the clubs fans buying back parts of the locker room at auction thus seeing it be returned to Collecchio. On the pitch Mister Donadoni can take some positives from the last two rounds, Parma’s leaky defence has somewhat stopped the rot in the last two rounds earning clean sheets away to Roma and home to Atalanta, with some solid displays, the problem now for Parma is at the other end, Donadoni however will be boosted by the return of young striker Massimo Coda last weekend. Parma has failed to score since Antonio Nocerino’s strike against Milan in round 21. However they will have to do without Christian Rodriguez who this week rescinded his contract at the Tardini to join Gremio. As for Sassuolo they will go into this Emillia Romagana derby in fairly confident mood, giving Parma’s woes off the field Sassuolo recorded a very impressive draw at The Juventus Stadium on Monday night. Parma will have to be aware of old boy Nicola Sansone who will be out to hurt his former club he left just last season. The last time these two sides met back in October The Neroverdi came out on top with a comfortable 3-1 win at The Ennio Tardini. Eusabio Di Francesco will be hoping for more of the same from his impressive Sassuolo team he is building, Roberto Donadoni on the other hand will be hoping he can continue to stop the rot and build on the two draws from their last outings his side have managed during these most difficult of times. Expected Line Up’s Sassuollo: Consigli, Vrsaljko, Acerbi, Peluso, Longhi, Brighi, Magnanelli, Missiroli, Berardi, Zaza, Sansone Parma: Mirante, Cassani, Costa, Lucarelli, Gobi, J.Mauri, Mariga, Nocerino, Varela, Coda, Belfodil By Giovanni Dougall @giovannid86 Antonio Benarrivo’s career began as every young boy dreams, playing for your home town club. The 18 year old Benarrivo’s fantasy came true when he turned out for his home town club Brindisi in Serie C1 back in 1986. It would be the first of nearly 80 appearances in a three year spell the club close to his heart before leaving to join Serie B outfit Padova. Benarrivo would spend just the two years at Padova, albeit a successful two years, as he caught the eye of Parma and Nevio Scala swooped to sign the defender. This was a move that would propel Benarrivo to greatness. A marauding full-back capable of playing on either flank, Benarrivo was quick, athletic and bursting with energy. He was also so comfortable on the ball and had breathtaking technique. He was perfect for Parma and fitted well into Parma’s 5-3-2 system, bombing up and down the line all day long. He was as good going forward as he was at defending. Success came quickly to Benarrivo at Parma, qualifying for the UEFA Cup in his debut season. The following season would see Parma lift their first of many pieces of silverware as they lifted the 1991/92 Coppa Italia.Nevio Scala’s side were being bankrolled by the Tanzi family then owners of dairy giants Parmalat. this allowed Benarrivo to play with a formidable defence, playing along side players like Lilian Thuram, Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluigi Buffon and Nestor Sensini. Benarrivo was a key member of Parma’s success and the success continued lifting the 1993 UEFA Cup at Wembley defeating Antwerp of Belgium. In Scala’s last season at Parma in 1996, Benarrivo would pick up his second Coppa Italia medal, defeating Juventus in the process. As Scala exited, Carlo Ancelotti took the Parma hot seat overhauling the team. He took them within one win of clinching the clubs first and what would have been their only Scudetto. They finished second to Juventus but this was no disgrace. Parma would debut in the Champions League the following season. This season would be the highlight of Benarrivo’s career. The club went on to secure a historic double, winning yet another Coppa Italia defeating Fiorentina then lifting the UEFA Cup in Moscow by destroying Marseille 3-0. Entering the new millennium things weren’t so great at the Stadio Ennio Tardini as star striker Hernan Crespo was sold to Lazio. Fabio Cannavaro, Lilian Thuram and Gianluigi Buffon were also sold leaving the club light. Benarrivo was now the captain of his beloved Parma and although not the same force, he did guide them to more success lifting the 2002 Coppa Italia. Parma’s captain would retire in 2004 and he is to this day he hold the record number of appearances for the club with over 300 notched up. he also has the honour of claiming he played in the eight most successful seasons in the clubs history. By Giovanni Dougall @giovannid86 The Stadio Ennio Tardini was open once again this afternoon, As Parma took to the field for the first time in two weeks to face Edy Reja’s Atalanta, this thanks to the 5 million Euro bailout from Serie A.
The Boys 1977 packed out the Curva Nord this afternoon in support of the players who have gone since July without seeing a single Euro enter their bank accounts. It was a cagey first half to the game, understandably so with Parma’s ring rustiness and Atalanta getting used to working under new coach Edy Reja. It was a half of few chances with Christian Rodriguez coming close with a clever back heel, Ishak Belfodil who impressed against Roma had a half chance that Marco Sportiello was equal to. The best Atalanta could come up with was a Richmond Boakye effort that was neither a shot nor a cross. Parma finally had some good news in the second half as Massimo Coda made his comeback after three months on the side-lines with a knee ligament injury. There was nothing between the sides in the second half with the highlight being a Christian Rodriguez thunderbolt that Sportiello managed to fingertip over the bar to keep the sides level. Frustration would get the better of Edy Reja and he would be sent to the stand by referee Di Bello. Coda was impressing in his return and was foiled by Sportiello once again. Antonio Mirante had to be on his toes too as he denied D’Alessandro and then Mauricio Pinilla. The hosts would end the game with 10 men as Christian Rodriguez saw red for his second yellow card as he stopped D’Alessandro in his tracks as the visitors counter attacked. In the end a point was a fair result, a result that doesn’t really help either team but in Parma’s return to action Mister Donadoni can take a few positives from it with the return of Massimo Coda and also a second clean sheet in a row for the leagues joint worst defence. Parma: Mirante, Santacroce, Mendes, Lucarelli, Gobbi, Jose Mauri, Mariga, (Coda, 46), Nocerino, (Galloppa, 70), Varela, (Lila, 78), Belfodil, Rodriguez Atalanta: Sportiello, Bellini, Benalouane, (Cherubin, 50) Massielo, Drame, Migliaccio, Carmona, Cigarini, Boakye, (D'Alessandro, 46), Pinilla, Emanuelson, (Denis, 85) By Giovanni Dougall @giovannid86 |
Archives
July 2022
|