Wisla Krakow 1 – 1 Parma UEFA CUP Round 2 First Leg 20th October 1998 The games were coming thick and fast for Malesani and Parma. After successfully seeing off Juventus and Fenerbache, Parma had to prepare themselves for the short trip to Bologna to negotiate a Derby dell’Emilia, before heading off to Poland for round two of the UEFA Cup to face Wisla Krakow. Parma’s inconsistent start to the season continued in Bologna, another frustrating 0-0 draw, would see them record their third goalless stalemate of the season. Three draws out of the opening four rounds, firing yet another blank in the league was surly causing concern for Malesani. Despite Parma’s lack of goals this season, the Italian tactician kept the faith with Hernan Crespo and Enrico Chiesa to lead the line in Poland. Parma also welcomed back from European suspension Fabio Cannavaro and Dino Baggio while Alian Boghossian and Antonio Benarrivo made way for Nestor Sensini and Paolo Vanoli. The coach’s faith was rewarded when after just two minutes on the clock Enrico Chiesa gave Parma the dream start. A Juan Sebastian Veron corner found Chiesa, who’s glancing header at the front post got the better of Artur Sarnat in the Krakow goal to give the visitors an early lead. Despite the early advantage, Parma were looking increasingly uncomfortable playing in what can only be described as a farmers field. The host were unlucky not be level, a fine stop by Buffon in the Parma goal kept the score at 0-1. With Parma unable to get control of the ball due to the unpredictable pitch, Krakow were mounting more pressure, this time Buffon was beaten but has the upright to thank for Parma’s lead staying intact. The home fans smelled blood as they began peppering the Parma goal with shot after shot. Despite the intense pressure, Parma had the chance to put the game and tie to bed as Dino Baggio broke with just Sarnat to beat, Baggio fluffed his lines and his weak effort was kept out by the Polish goalkeeper as the first half drew to a close. Parma were forced into a change that would see Hernan Crespo leave the field just after half time to be replaced by Abel Balbo. It was Crespo’s strike partner Chiesa who was Parma’s main threat, twice stinging the gloves of Sarnat early in the second half. Cross balls proved to be Parma’s weakness in the first round against Fenerbache, that was the case once again in Poland. A deflected cross saw the ball spin high in the air, Thuram and Sensini were panicking as Tomasz Frankowski got between them to head the ball down to Tomasz Kulawik who fired past Buffon to square the game up with 20 minutes remining. Rattled Parma were lucky to get back to Italy with a draw, the had the brilliance of Buffon to thank as Krakow went after a deserved winner. Parma and Malesani, were delighted to get out of Poland on an awful pitch with a draw and a vital away goal.
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