Stuttering Parma travel to Lentigione on Sunday afternoon, a match that could arguably be one of Luigi Apolloni's toughest test yet has he aims to get his Parma side back to their best.
Parma dropped points at home for the first time last weekend, drawing 0-0 with Forli in a bad tempered affair at the Tardini, this after Parma just scraped by Ribelle the previous mid week winning by a single goal. Parma's opponents on Sunday haven't won in their last three outing, drawing two and losing one, despite sitting third, a Parma victory on Sunday would all but put them out of site as l'gialloblu have the chance to open up an eight point gap over their hosts on Sunday. Once again, this will feel very much like a home tie for Parma having sold close to 2,000 tickets already for Sundays clash, with Alto Vicentino not allowing Parma any breathing space at the top, The Ducali faithful know how important it is to get back to winning ways and go home with all three points. Apolloni is expected to go largely unchanged form last weekends goalless draw, keeping the faith with a back line that has only conceded twice in the league this season. Apolloni will hope his defenders and goalkeeper, Kristaps Zommers keep up their good form going in o this top of the table clash. Parma should line up 4-2-3-1 once again on Sunday with Christian Longobardi leading the line, Yves Baraye will be hoping to add to his impressive tally so far this season as he will be one of the three playing behind the veteran Italian striker. Parma prepared for this one with a friendly on Thusday afternoon, Apolloni's men seeing off Fornovo Taro 7-1 in a comfortable victory, it was a game that allowed the coach to experiment, trying various different personnel in different positions and systems. Sunday is yet another important step in the long road to recovery for Parma, nothing but three points will do as Parma look to stretch their impressive unbeaten start to the season and more importantly stay top of the table come Sunday night. Parma probable XI; Zommers, Adorni, Saporetti, Corapi, Cacioli, Lucarelli, Ricci, Giorgino, Longobardi, Baraye, Melandri. By Giovanni Dougall Follow Me @giovannid86
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It was the summer of 1996, England was gripped with football fever as Euro 96' had the attention of a continent, meanwhile over in Italy while Gareth Southgate was trying to master the art of penalties, Calisto Tanzi was planning his Scudetto challenge at Parma. Nevio Scala had just left the club having lead l'gialloblu through the clubs most successful period, replacing him would be rookie coach Carlo Ancelotti, who had just won promotion with Reggiana the previous season. The Coverciano student had money to burn as the Tanzi family continued to bankroll Parma's success, in came Enrico Chiesa from Sampdoria along with South America's hottest prospect in a young striker called Hernan Crespo, along with the strike duo Ancelotti had his eyes on one of Euro 96's star performers, France and Monaco's 24 year old defender Lilian Thuram. The signing of the young French full back would see Parma's famous formidable defence for the next few years line up for the first time ever, behind Thuram would be 18 year old Gianluigi Buffon who was the talk of the nation, in front of Buffon was one Fabio Cannavaro who had just signed from Napoli the season before, keeping the three youngsters right was Parma legend Antonio Benarrivo. With Tanzi's cheque book and Ancelotti in the dug out, Thuram's debut season was almost a dream come true, The Ducali pushed bitter rivals Juventus all the way to the finish line, almost winning the clubs first ever Scudetto, with Crespo and Chiesa running amok up front and with the shear class at the back Parma heartbreakingly missed out by two point to the Turin giants in the 1996/97 season. During his first campaign, Thuram racked up over 40 appearances for Parma, cementing his place in the team with some breath taking performances, it would be during his debut season he would score his one and only goal for Parma. Despite being a member of a Champions League squad now, Thuram's second season with Parma was one of disappointment, he would part ways with the man who brought him to the Tardini as Carlo Ancelotti was shown the door, Parma finished a disappointing sixth in Serie A as well as being knocked out of the Champions League at the group stages, despite the poor campaign, Thuram continued to impress with some dominant performances as he prepared for the 1998 World Cup in France. Alberto Malesani was the man Tanzi chose to replace Ancelotti at the helm of Parma, as he prepared for his first season in charge little did he know he would be welcoming back a World Cup winner to his ranks, Lilian Thuram. The athletic full back caught the attention of the world as he confirmed himself as arguably the worlds best full backs at the time. Thuram retuned to Parma a national hero back in France as his only two international goals came in a 2-1 semi - final win over Croatia as the French went on to lift the trophy on home soil. Despite Thuram's World Cup displays Parma managed to keep hold of the Frenchman's services and the two were about to have the season of their lives. Malesani opted to go for an adventurous 3-2-3-2 formation for the majority of the 1998/99 season with Nestor Sensini sweeping, Cannavaro and Thuram played alongside him, behind that Gianluigi Buffon was making his case for being one of the worlds best goalkeeper. If you managed to get one by that lot then you had to try and keep out Crespo and Chiesa at the other end, as well as shut of the supply coming from Juan Sebastain Veron and Diego Fuser, it was a squad full of quality from back to front. Thuram would help Parma lift two trophies to add to his World Cup winners medal, firstly overcoming Fiorentina to lift the Coppa Italia before the memorable night in Russia with a UEFA Cup triumph in Moscow when l'gialloblu destroyed Marseille 3-0, in the Space of 10 months Thuram had been in three finals winning the lot. Thuram's world class performances week in week out weren't going unnoticed and in the summer of 2000 Lazio came calling, I'biancocelesti had already managed to lure star striker Heran Crespo to the Olimpico in a deal worth £35.5m, Parma were determined not to lose another one of their stars and managed to persuade the World Champion to stay at the Tardini. With Parma yet again failing to mount any kind of Scudetto challenge, Thuram played out his last season in the Parma colours along with superstar goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, despite qualifying for the champions league the lure of Juventus plus Parma's financial melt down, Thuram, bid farewell to Parma, joining Juventus for £25.5m, a team Thuram admitted to French newspaper Nice-Matin he turned down in favour of Parma five years earlier “What’s interesting when talking about Monaco and Turin, is that Juventus had tried to sign me when I was at Monaco,” Thuram revealed. I preferred, at that time, to go to Parma. I met with the leadership of Juventus, but I thought they were wrong to want to buy me, because it’s a very big club!" Making over 200 appearances for the club and taking the club through it's most successful period Lilian Thuram will always have a place in the hearts of the Parma faithful, this was recognised when in December 2013 to mark the clubs centenary Thuram returned to the Tardini to take part in a legends game. By Giovanni Dougall Follow me @giovannid86 In my new series for 'Solo Parma' I aim to introduce the new key members of Parma Calcio 1913 in our bid to get back to the top. First up is new number one goalkeeper Kristaps Zommers, I chatted with the young Latvian in order to find out a bit more about our new custodian, discussing his achievements, what life’s like in Parma and how one day he hopes to line up at the Tardini with Parma back in Serie A. Name: Kristaps Zommers Date of Birth: January 7th 1997 Age: 18 Position: Goalkeeper Nationality: Latvian Date Joined: 06th August 2015 Previous Clubs: Sitika Futbola Skola, Aarhus GF Question: After all the drama last season, with the team being forced to reform in Serie D, why did you choose Parma? Kristaps Zommers: “I chose Parma because I know here it will be a great environment for me to play my football, develop and grow as a footballer” Question: As a fellow goalkeeper as well as a Parma fan, you are practically living my dream, my hero and inspiration has always been the great Gianluigi Buffon, who is your inspiration? KZ: “I have no inspiration, I don’t try to look at others, I always want to be myself” Question: It has been an almost perfect start to the season so far, can Parma return to the top again? KZ: “Yes, we definitely can, it will be hard, there is a long road ahead of us and we have a lot of hard work to put in before we achieve this” Question: What is your biggest achievement in football so far? KZ: “My biggest achievement in football is to qualify with the Latvia under 17’s to the European Championships group stage” Question: What is the best advice you’ve ever been given? KZ: “The best advice? Never change, always be yourself” Question: What is the best thing about life in Parma?
KZ: “Easy, The fans..” Question: What would be your ultimate achievement? KZ: “The ultimate achievement would be to be with Parma in Serie A.” Many thanks to Kristaps Zommers for generously taking time out today to chat with us, it was greatly appreciated, let’s hope one day we are standing above him in the Curva Nord as he makes his Serie A debut with Parma. By Giovanni Dougall Follow me - @giovannid86 The games are coming thick and fast for Luigi Apolloni and his table topping Parma side. l'Gialloblu face their second game in three days away from the Tardini.
After Sundays comprehensive 3-0 victory over Clodiense, Parma travel to Castiglione di Ravenna to take on a Ribelle side Parma have already overcame this season when the Emiliani came out 3-2 winners in a thrilling Coppa Italia tie. Parma seem to have hit their rhythm, after Septembers disappointing goalless draw away at Mezzolara, Parma have gone on to record comfortable 5-1 and 3-0 victories over Correggese and Clodiense respectively to maintain their unbeaten start to the season. Despite Parma's impressive start to their debut season, veteran striker Christian Longobardi spoke to Parma TV Sports Bar yesterday and fired this warning to their rivals "We are not yet at the top, we have ample room for improvement" The fans favourite also commented how settled he is with life in Parma, speaking of his love for the city, and the special closeness with the fans this season.. "Parma is beautiful, I live in the city because I realized that this season you have to live it" Longobardi is expected to lead the line again tomorrow, with the lethal Yves Baraye playing just off him in attack. Mauro Antonioli will no doubt have spent the past few days coming up with a master plan to keep Parma's Senegalese goal machine Baraye quite, after his stunning hat trick during the 5-1 rout of Correggese, Baraye added another to his tally for the season with a simple header in the victory over Clodiense on Sunday afternoon. Apolloni should welcome back first choice keeper' Kristaps Zommers for tomorrow afternoons clash, the Latvian was rested on Sunday after being away on International duty for Latvia's under 19's. That should be the only change in the visitors line up tomorrow with Apolloni having pretty much a full strength team to choose from. Ribelle know they have a mammoth task ahead of them tomorrow however they have had an extra 24 hours to prepare after Saturdays 1-1 draw at Mezzolara, Antonioli can also take encouragement that his side manged to score twice at the Tardini this season more than any of Parma's opposition so far have managed. The Parma faithful will be out in their numbers yet again tomorrow afternoon, as they aim to push Parma towards another victory and keep up their impressive unbeaten start to the season. Parma Probable XI; Zommers, Adorni, Saporetti, Corapi, Cacioli, Lucarelli, Giorgino, Longobardi, Baraye, Ricci. By Giovanni Dougall @giovannid86 Parma kept up their unbeaten start to the season, making it 19 points from a possible 21 with a comfortable 3-0 win away at bottom of the table Clodiense this afternoon, keeping the gialloblu top of the table this evening.
Luigi Apolloni rested first choice keeper' Kristaps Zommers this afternoon who took a place on the bench after his week of travelling with the Latvian under 19's, the coach did however welcome back midfielder Fabio Lauria who missed out on last weekends 5-1 hammering of Correggese. In a fairly quiet opening to the game it took until 15 minutes before the visitors finally decided to waken up, Fabio Lauria whipped in a dangerous left footed free kick from the right, however Okroglic in the Clodiense goal was equal to it, minutes later Okroglic was called into action again as he clawed away a Francesco Corapi free kick from the edge of the box. Parma were very much on top and broke the deadlock as the half hour mark approached, Yves Baraye and Giacomo Ricci played a lovely one-two together before playing in Corapi, this midfielder ghosted in un marked and lobbed the ball over the hapless Okroglic to give the visitors the lead. Parma travelled in their numbers yet again today, packing out the scenic Stadio Aldo e Dino Ballarin in Chioggia, Venice making this feel more like a home game for Apolloni's men, at 1-0 Parma were in absolute cruise control, passing about like they were at Collecchio training, 1-0 would soon become 2-0, Fall's goalkick was flicked on to Fabio Lauria out wide, Lauria's pin point cross found the head of Yves Baraye, the form the Senegalese forwards in he was never missing as he headed home from close range. Alessandro Lucarelli almost opened his account for the season in the opening minutes of the second half, his glancing header flashed just passed the post as the cry's of 'C'è Solo Un Capitano' rang round the compact stadium as the travelling support showed their appreciation for their captain. At 2-0 the game was won, Apolloni decided to rest key players early on in the second half by replacing goal machine Yves Baraye on the hour mark and Francesco Corapi minutes later both being replaced by Daniele Melandri and Crocefisso Miglietta respectively. Some cleaver play by Alessandro Lucarelli almost made it 3-0 as he broke into the host box the ball fell to Cristain Longobardi however he would see his effort crash back of the cross bar. Parma played the majority of the second half in second gear, it looked like the game would finish 2-0 but Crocefisso Miglietta would have something to say about that as the substitute made it 3-0 in injury time. Parma have finally opened up a bit of daylight between themselves and the chasing pack albeit only by one point, Lentigione began the day joint top with Parma however their surprise 3-2 defeat at the hands of Union ArzignanoChiampo sees them drop to third being replaced by Alto Vicentino who saw off Forli 2-1 at home this afternoon. Next up for Parma is another away trip, this time to Ribelle, a side Parma have already seen off this season when the sides met in the Coppa Italia earlier this month. Parma XI; Fall, Adorni, Cacioli, Lucarelli, Saporetti, Corapi (Miglietta 63), Giorgino, Lauria, Baraye (Melandri 58), Ricci (Sereni 88), Longobardi. By Giovanni Dougall @giovannid86 Serie A might be enjoying a well deserved break this weekend, It's onwards and upwards for Serie D and Parma.
Luigi Apolloni's gialloblu entertained the Tardini last weekend, demolishing sorry Correggese 5-1, thanks to a spectacular Yves Baraye hat trick. A performance that would see the Senegalese forward receive a well deserved standing ovation. Parma will be looking to build on last weekends impressive display when they travel to Chioggia on Sunday to take on a Clodiense side routed to the bottom of the table still searching for their first three points of the season. Sunday afternoon's clash at the Stadio Aldo e Dino Ballarini stadium sees the leagues best attack up against the leagues worst defence, if Parma and inparticular Yves Baraye keep up their ruthless form it could be an afternoon of goals, leaving Clodiense could still be looking for their first victory of the campaign Despite their desperate league position, Mario Vittadello's side can take encouragement from their last outing, coming away with an impressive point when they travelled to promotion chasing Fiorli, however the Parma faithful are expected to travel in their number yet again to this one, making it feel very much like a home game for the table toppers. Apolloni's side warmed up for this one during the week with a 6-0 win over local side G.S. Felino at Collecchio, thanks to goals from Lauria, Miglietta, Rodriguez, Guazzo and two from Cristian Longobardi, it was also a game that would allow the coach to keep a watchful eye over Felip Jankovic who hopes to impress Apolloni enough to get a deal at the club. Kristaps Zommers is expected to return after he was off on Latvian under 19 duty during the week, Parma's only other concern is the fitness of Giacomo Ricci however the Italian defender should make it. Parma will be hoping Lentigione slip up when they travel to ASD Union ArzignanoChiampo on Sunday afternoon in order for the gialloblu to open up a bit of daylight between themselves and the chasing pack. Parma Probable XI; Zommers, Adorni, Saporetti, Corapi, Cacioli, Lucarelli, Ricci, Giorgino, Longobardi, Baraye, Melandri. By Giovanni Dougall @giovannid86 Parma got back to winning ways in the league this afternoon, after last weekends disappointing 0-0 draw away at Mezzolara.
l'gialloblu were back at the Tardini this afternoon as Luigi Apolloni changed pretty much the entire side that saw off Ribelle in the Coppa Italia in midweek, with the most notable changes being the return of captain Alessandro Lucarelli and Kristaps Zommers in goal. Apolloni resisted starting Gambian forward Balla Musa Sowe after his impressive mid week display instead opting for veteran Cristian Longobardi in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The home side got off to a great start in this one opening the scoring inside the first 20 minutes, after some great work from Longobardi he played in Yves Baraye who cooly cut inside hitting a composed right footed finish past the helpless keeper'. The perfect start for Parma wouldn't last long as the visitors would be level within five minutes, the referee had no choice but to point to the spot in the 22nd minute, some clumsy defending from Luca Cacioli would see Correggese awarded a penalty which Daniele Fioretti executed perfectly past Zommers in the Parma goal. The hosts bounced straight back in this thrilling first half when Parma's Cameroonian forward Yves Baraye put in his early claim for goal of the season with a 25 yard wonder strike that flew into the top right hand corner of the Correggese goal, 2-1 is how this frantic first half would end. It was 100mph stuff at the start of the second half, with both teams trying to get the next crucial goal, it almost came from the most unlikely source in Alessandro Lucarelli, the big defender could get his feet sorted and fluffed his shot in front of the packed Curva Nord, moments later at the other end Kristaps Zommers had to have his wits about him as he got down smartly to deny Correggese an equaliser. Yves Baraye was running the visitors ragged and on the 55th minute he almost put the game to bed by grabbing his hat trick, full of confidence he tried another long range effort this time the post saved the day for the visitors. Parma would wrap the points up just after the hour mark, this time Baraye was the supplier, some poor defending led to him setting up Longobardi who smartly finished from close range putting Parma in total control. The floodgates would open on the 70th minute, and it was that man Baraye who was at the heart of it again, he played a cute one - two with Longobardi on the edge of the box grabbing his hat trick in stunning fashion as he curled the ball home past the diving goalkeeper to cap off a tremendous afternoons work from the forward who would be replaced by Matteo Guazzo leaving the field to a standing ovation. Four soon became five as some comical defending let in the unusually quiet Daniele Melandri to round the goalkeeper giving him an easy finish. Parma had chances to make it six but 5-1 is how this one would end. The result today sees Parma remain at the top of the table on 16 points out of a possible 18, next up for Luigi Apolloni's side is an away trip to face Clodiense next Sunday. Parma; Zommers, Adorni, Saporetti, Corapi (Miglietta 73), Cacioli, Lucarelli, Ricci (Sereni 62), Giorgino, Longobardi, Baraye (Guazzo 77), Melandri. By Giovanni Dougall @giovannid86 It's back to league duty on Sunday for Luigi Apolloni and his men after Wednesday afternoon's exciting Coppa Italia victory over Ribelle at the Tardini, the mid week win saw Parma return to winning ways after last weekends disappointing 0-0 draw away at Mezzolara. Wednesdays thrilling 3-2 win would see the coach beam "I'm pleased with the lads on the pitch and their commitment".
Despite dropping points for the first time last weekend Parma remain top of the table, all be it joint top with Lentigione with both teams sitting on 13 points after five rounds, l'gialloblu will be hoping to take that tally to 16 points when they welcome a Correggese side who are still looking for their first win of the campaign as they sit in 16 position having drawn three and lost two in the opening few weeks of the season. Massimo Bagati's side will travel from Correggio to the Tardini on Sunday with no fear having picked up a well deserved draw against fourth place San Marino Calcio on their last outing, however Apolloni will have his side ready and well drilled, he'll know they can't take anything for granted, being back at the Tardini will be a bonus, however last weekends surprise dropped points was a bit of a wake up call for Parma, with captain Alessandro Lucarelli admitting "We knew this wouldn't be a walk in the park" Parma should welcome back first choice goalkeeper Kristaps Zommers and inspiration captain Alessandro Lucarelli for Sundays clash, both of whom missed out on Wednesdays Coppa Italia tie. Luigi Apolloni will be looking to Fabio Lauria to continue his goalscoring form as the 29 year old Neapolitan grabbed a brace on Wednesday afternoon. Sowe Moussa Bala may be given another start after his goal in the midweek Coppa Italia clash, the emotional Gambia striker appears to have fallen in love with the jersey already as he told Parma Calcio 1913 "I want to help Parma to return among professionals and I would love to be there when you return to Serie A" The Curva Nord will again be packed to the rafters as the Parma revival continues, the feel good factor and sheer enthusiasm around the Tardini these days looks set to continue as Parma will be fully expecting to keep their unbeaten run up and remain top of the table come Sunday night. Parma Probable XI; Zommers, Messina, Lucarelli, Cacioli, Ricci, Corapi, Melandri, Giorgino, Lauria, Longobardi, Sereni. By Giovanni Dougall @giovannid86 |
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