Roberto D’Aversa speaks ahead of Juve.“The team is motivated for this match, such a game is an opportunity for all. Considering the journey we have been on, we need to see it as a big event and go out looking to get a result no matter how strong the opponent. I believe that Allegri is one of the best in the world in his role, I’ve had the fortune of getting to know him in the past and he was very open in letting me watch some training sessions in Vinovo. This shows that he’s a great person as well as a great coach. It hasn’t been easy for him in these years to follow the work done by the coach before him. He’s shown he can do well in Europe, he’s a coach that exudes calm. Even if they lost the Napoli game last season, they won the Scudetto thanks to the sense of calm that he spread among his players and to the environment around the team.”
“At this time, Cristiano Ronaldo is being talked about a lot. He’s certainly one of the best in the world but when you analyse their team, you see they have great players everywhere both in the starting line-up and on the bench, players like Pjanic, Emre Can, Khedira, Bernardeschi and Mandzukic. In terms of how they control the ball and their coach’s philosophy, Juventus are stronger and we’ll have to do well to stay tight and compact all over the pitch. Long spells of possession can open space between the lines and that’s where they work well. Dybala, Douglas Costa and Bernardeschi are all players who can hurt us if we give them space so we’ll have to give 200 per cent and run more than normal.” “It will clearly be a tough game but nothing is impossible in life. We’ll have to play the perfect game and hope it’s a bad day for them. Against Chievo, they thought for a moment that they were in control and then they went behind but if you try to play too fast, they can hurt you. We have to do well and limit their space. Juve switch between 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1. In the latter formation, they can have three up front in between the lines, the wingers come inside to create space for the full-backs.” “In terms of physical condition, Grassi needs evaluating. He finished with a cramp and a knock in the last game. Sprocati is in the squad but he trained alone today. Someone is in better shape after a week of work but it will take time for the team to become compact and you need time to gel when you change a lot of players. Tactical changes? The system isn’t the issue at the moment, I don’t think you need to talk about it after a defeat. The way you interpret it is more important. The energy from the crowd is important, we have a strong team against us but we need to be proud and show that we’re not inferior and the stadium can give us a big hand. We know that it will be difficult, we need to do well and stay patient and not give them any more advantages.” “Pride is very important when you face the biggest sides. When I was a player, we often stayed up thanks to important wins that would have been seen as unthinkable. We know that they have more to lose at the moment. I’m now interested in the side’s mental state. We regret the past results but this is football. You cDan’t make any mistakes in Serie A. At times, small individual episodes make the difference. More balance is certainly needed because sometimes the results influence the judgements that are made.”
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Alberto Malesani took his Parma side to Turin in confident mood, the Ducali were six points clear of their bitter rivals having picked up some impressive wins along the way including a 4-0 demolition of Milan back in November as well as already seeing of Juventus at the Tardini in September, with Dino Baggio’s goal enough to secure all three points. Despite the confident mood in the camp, Parma hadn’t won their last three outings, tasting defeat to Lazio and drawing with both Vicenza and Venezia, the Gialloblu’s worst form of the season. As for the Champions they were having somewhat of an inconsistent campaign so far and came in to this match day 20 fixture on the back of a defeat to Cagliari and only picking up one win in their last five outings as Milan, Bari and Venezia all holding Marcelo Lippi’s men to draws with their one win coming at home to Perugia in round 18. Parma were at pretty much full strength, with Malesani going 4-4-2, Hernan Crespo and Enrico Chiesa would lead the line. As for the hosts they had a number of key players missing, Filippo Inzaghi and Alessando Del Piero missed out while Antonio Conte and Didier Deschamps were deemed only fit enough for the bench. The home side had the better of the opening minutes as Juve’s French maestro began tormenting Parma from the start, Zinedine Zidane saw a lot of the ball in the opening ten minutes as he attempted to unlock Parma’s star studded back line. It was no surprise when Alessio Tacchinardi opened the scoring with just 15 minutes on the clock, the Italian midfielder picked the ball up some 35 yards from goal and let rip, the ball flew past a diving Buffon as it nestled into the top corner giving Tacchinardi his third goal of the season. With Parma struggling to settle, the hosts had chances to double their lead but Parma managed to weather the early storm and eventually steady the ship. Lilian Thuram should have squared the game up but his header from a Dino Baggio corner went wildly over the bar. As Parma began to ease back into the game, Zidane continued to pull the strings for Juve, his sublime through ball sent Daniel Fonseca on his way but the Uruguayan couldn’t get past the huge frame of Gianluigi Buffon in the Parma goal. With the first half drawing to a close, Malesani’s exciting Parma team turned the game on its head, the deadly duo of Crespo and Chiesa would combine to give Parma an unimaginable half time lead. Chiesa’s magnificent low cross made it impossible for Angelo Peruzzi and Paolo Montero to defend as Hernan Crespo bravely got between the two to square the game up, just four minutes later Parma took the lead, a hopeful long clearance from Fabio Cannavaro set Chiesa clear after some shocking Juventus defending, Chiesa rounded the oncoming Peruzzi, to slide the ball home into an empty net putting the visitors 1-2 up. In five minutes of absolute madness Parma scored a third, Juan Sebastian Veron’s freekick was floated to the back post where Antonio Benarrivo was unmarked the little full back headed the ball back across goal for Crespo to head home his second of the game and give Parma a 1-3 half time lead. Parma, full of confidence came out flying for the second half, Crespo nearly got his hat-trick, a neat move down Parma’s right started by Lilian Thuram would eventually see Crespo through on goal only to be denied by a smart save by Angelo Peruzzi. Crespo would get the better of Peruzzi and compete his hat-trick, and the Argentine would do it in some style, Stefano Fiore got the better of Zidane before the ball made it’s way out to Veron who’s low and hard cross found his fellow countyman, Crespo would let the ball go through his legs before flicking the ball home with his heel to put Parma 1-4 up, with over half an hour to play. Lippi reacted and put on Thierry Henry and Antonio Conte for the Paolo Montero and Juan Esnaider, Maleani was also busy on the bench, taking of the outstanding Chiesa and putting on Mario Stanic. Lippi’s changes seemed to breathe a bit of life back into the Old Lady, Henry was lively out on the left, his snap shot was easily dealt with by Buffon, Juventus would pull on back, a magnificent first time ball from Zidane put Fonseca through on goal, the Juventus number 11 cool as you like lifted the ball over Buffon who was flying off his line in a desperate bit to kept the tree goal cushion intact. As they game drew to a close Parma could and really should have made it five, Abel Balbo and Hernan Crespo broke, however Balbo would drag his shot wide instead of playing in Crespo. As the Juventus ultras began setting the stand of the Delle Alpi alight in disapproval, referee Robert Boggi brought the game to a close as Parma ran out 2-4 winners. Juventus XI – Angelo Peruzzi, Zoran Mirkovic, Mark Iuliano, Paolo Montero, Gianluca Pessotto, Angelo Di Livio, Alessio Tacchinardi, Edgar Davids, Zinedine Zidane, Juan Esnaider, Daniel Fonsecsa. Subs – Michelangelo Rampulla, Didier Deschamps, Thierry Henry, Antonio Conte, Alessandro Birindelli, Jocelyn Blanchard, Igor Tudor. Manger – Marcello Lippi Parma XI – Gianluigi Buffon, Lilian Thuram, Nestor Sensini, Fabio Cannavaro, Diego Fuser, Stefano Fiore, Dino Baggio, Antonio Benarrivo, Juan Sebastian Veron, Hernan Crespo, Enrico Chiesa. Subs – Davide Micillo, Roberto Mussi, Mario Stanic, Abel Balbo, Raffaele Longo, Paolo Vanoli, Luigi Sartor. Manager – Alberto Malesani. Parma - Juventus
Stadio Ennio Tardini Saturday 01st September 2018 19:30 UK The Juventus juggernaut rolls into town this Saturday night hoping to keep up their 100% start to the season. After an opening day struggle with Chievo, the Biaconeri had a more routine win as they would see off Lazio 2-0 at the Allianz Arena with goals from Miralem Pjanic and Mario Mandzukic in round two. As CR7 and Co turn up at the Tardini on Saturday night, it will be less than pleasant welcome for the Portuguese ace as steps foot in front a sold out crowd as he hope to open his account in Italian Football. As for the hosts, despite encouraging signs from the opening day against Udinese, Parma were very disappointing against SPAL, where a Mirco Antenucci wonder goal secured all three points for Leonardo Semplici’s side. Unfortunately for Roberto D’Aversa the SPAL performance was all too familiar to last season, lacklustre with zero threat of scoring. Gervinho could be pushing for a start this weekend after the Ivorian got his first full week of training under his belt, apart from that D’Aversa should stick with his favoured 4-3-3 with Roberto Inglese leading the line. The champions might be expecting to just turn up to pick up another three points, however the last time these two clashed at the Tardini, rock bottom Parma in their darkest hour, facing bankruptcy, pulled off a huge shock as Jose Mauri’s second half strike gave the Parma faithful something to smile about around all the doom and gloom. A classic fixture in years gone by, the jam packed Tardini will provide somewhat of a 12th man for Parma on Saturday night as the hope to repeat that shock of 2015 and secure their first three points of the Serie A season, wouldn’t it be fitting to come against one of their bitterest of rivals, Juventus. Alberti Grassi PresentationAfter joining from Napoli following prior experiences in the top flight with Atalanta and Spal, Alberto Grassihas already made his debut in a Parma shirt and he was officially presented to the press today in Collecchio.
“My season at Spal last year? It didn’t start brilliantly which is normal, you need time to settle with a new group but by working well in the week you reach your objective. In Serie A, you always have to compete and show everything on the pitch, even if the opponents opposite are stronger on paper. I had brilliant coaches at Atalanta, from the Pulcini (8 to 11) to the first team, they help you to grow and look to find the best for you. My first experiences at Parma? There’s a good group here and I’m happy to be a part of it. The Coach is good, the staff too and my teammates want to reach our goal.” “There’s a wonderful project here, it’s an important place and it’s a great honour to be here. With the Sporting Director Faggiano, we spoke about Parma and I wanted to be here at all costs. My physical condition? I’m in quite good shape, I’ll get more playing time slowly. The first two matches? It’s still too early to talk about staying up or other things. In the Udinese game, a single episode reopened the game and you can never let up.” “Negotiations with Parma? I didn’t know when I’d be able to come here, it took place in the final week of the transfer market. Juventus? The Coach has enough experience and he’s preparing in the best of ways, they’re better on paper but we’ll look to get something. My role models? In my role, I really like Nainggolan.” Alessandro Bastoni PresentationAfter joining on loan from Inter, Alessandro Bastoni was presented officially today in Collecchio.
Here was what he had to say: “How am I? I started my recovery process at Appiano Gentile and everything is on schedule, after the international break I should be ready and available and I started to train with the team yesterday. Why did I pick Parma? For the project, this is an ambitious place and I was born 40 kilometres from here so I often came to watch the team play, I have an emotional bond with the club.” “Even though I didn’t play much at Atalanta, I believe that it was an important experience for me that helped physically and technically, you get something from experiences such as playing in the Europa League and now I’m here to play and reach the objective of staying up. I can’t wait to take to the pitch and show what I can do.” “My role model has always been Sergio Ramos, to get up to his level is very difficult but I always watch his matches to try and learn as much as possible. Caldara is another example for me, I saw him up close for two years at Atalanta. In addition to the way he plays, I also got to appreciate him as a person, he’s really an exceptional guy. Here at Parma, the experience of Bruno Alves will also be useful for me.” Parma returned to Serie A last weekend earning a 2-2 draw at home to Udinese.
The Ducali will be disappointed they couldn’t take all three points in their first top flight game in almost four years. The hosts managed to let a two goal lead slip and had new goalkeeper Luigi Sepe to thank as Roberto D’Aversa’s men hung on for a point. Sepe wasn’t the only new signing to impress, Roberto Inglese excited the home fans on his debut, scoring the opener whilst linking up well with Antoinio Di Gaudio to cause Udinese problems. With Juventus and Inter up next for Parma, D’Aversa will be hoping Parma don’t slip up again this weekend and can get an important first three points of the season before facing these two mammoth challenges. Parma will once again be without Amato Ciciretti, Alessandro Bastoni, Francisco Sierralta, Marcello Gazzola, Jacopo Dezi and Gianni Munari all of whom miss out through injury, while Emanuele Calaio remains suspended. Former Roma and Arsenal man Gervinho could make an appearance after he trained with his new teammates for the first time on Wednesday. SPAL coach Leonardo Semplici will be hoping his side can build on last weekend opening day win over Bologna. A Jasmin Kurtic wonder strike was enough to give Semplici’s side their first win of the season. Sempici will be hoping the Stadio Dall’Ara in Bologna will bring The Spallini more luck this weekend while their home ground the Stadio Paolo Mazza continues to be refurbished. SPAL have a full squad to choose from when they host Parma on Sunday with no notable absentees and are expected to go relatively unchanged from last weekend. The last time these two sides met was 32 years ago when they played out a 0-0 draw at the Tardini. Don’t be surprised if this is an equally as cagey, tight affair as both know how important three points would be this early in the season. @giovannid86 @Solo_Parma The wait is nearly over, just over three years ago, 31st May 2015, Parma played out their last Serie A game, drawing 2-2 with Sampdoria.
Fast forward to August 2018, the Ducali are ready to go again, after securing historic back – to – back promotions from Serie D straight back to Serie A, Parma will play host to Udinese in a new look Stadio Ennio Tardini on Sunday evening. It’s been a turbulent summer in Parma with the Emanuele Calaio SMS case hanging over their heads for the majority of it, however coach Roberto D’Aversa hasn’t let that distract him and his group of players as they prepare for a season in which survival will be the goal. Parma have had a busy transfer market with Roberto Inglese joining from Napoli to hopefully replace the goals that the suspended Calaio took responsibility for last season. As well as Inglese, Parma also secured the services of Alberto Grassi this week also on a loan deal from Napoli. As for the visitors, new coach Julio Velazquez will get his first taste of Serie A this week end as the young Spaniard takes his place in the away dugout. Velazquez will be hoping his team can bounce back from Coppa Italia disappointment last week as Benevento sent them crashing out. Udinese have also had a busy summer brining in Rolando Mangragora from Juventus. Udinese visit the Tardini hoping to get off to a better start than last season as the Zebrette took till match day three to register any points on the board. New look, Parma will be without suspended Emanuele Calaio, Jacopo Dezi, Alessandro Bastoni, Alessandro Gazzola and Amato Ciciretti all miss out through injury. Udinese will have to do without the services of Svante Ingelsson and Emmanule Badu both miss out with injuries. The last time these two sides met at the Tardini was back in April 2015, the host came out on top that day thanks to a goal from Portuguese midfielder Sivestre Varela. Roberto D’Aversa will be delighted if that score line is repeated on Sunday to give Parma three points on their return to the big time. @Solo_Parma @giovannid86 |
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