(FM16) Il Ritorno: Parma Calcio

Parma took a big step towards promotion to Lega Pro with a thumping 4-0 win over Delta Rovigo in a result that essentially put an end to the visitors own promotion campaign. In the 13th minute, the nerves of Parma fans were put at ease as Elio Nigro fouled Simone Corazza in the penalty area, with the Parma forward confidently smashing the spot kick home. Just ten minutes later they were 2-0 ahead as Marcello Sereni found Simone Corazza before the forward signed from Novara in February, slipped in Francesco Corapi who curled the ball into the far bottom corner to double Parma’s lead. Then in the 42nd minute Parma were 3-0 ahead as Walter Rodriguez found Simone Corazza with the forward playing the ball out wide to Francesco Corapi with the in form winger played a fantastic ball into the area to find Simone Edera who connected well with the ball to nestle it in the bottom corner to make it 3-0. Things went from bad to worse for Delta Rovigo as Luca Vignali was shown a straight red for a horror tackle, much to the displeasure of his manager who gave him an earful as the defender reached the touchline. Then in the 70th minute, Parma finished the scoring as Marcello Sereni pounced on a delicious back heel from Daniele Melandri, smashing the ball into the top corner to make it 4-0 and all but guarantee Parma a place in the top two of Girone D, and put them one win closer to promotion.

Parma’s promotion bid took a small hit as Clodiense stifled their creative play and made sure that Parma only went home with a point. Both sides showed themselves capable of winning the game but they were unable to take their opportunities and it was a point that meant for Parma, the gap at the top of the Girone table was cut short, as Forli’s win meant the gap was closed to four points. However it was a result that meant Parma were in with a shout at earning promotion next time out as a victory and the right results elsewhere would hand Parma a place in the Lega Pro.

With time running out until the end of the season, Parma took another huge step towards promotion as they got the job done with a professional 1-0 victory over Villafranca Veronese. In a tense first half, it looked as if Paolo Vanoli’s men were scared to venture too far forward for fear of being caught on the counter. However in the second half, the hosts were a lot more creative and Parma were in front after 64 minutes as Walter Rodriguez found Francesco Corapi out wide, before the winger delivered a fantastic ball into the area to Simone Corazza who controlled the ball with his chest before firing a powerful effort low into the bottom corner to make it 1-0 and send the Parma fans into raptures. It was a goal that put all the pressure on Forli and Ravenna to get the results they needed as Parma began to look increasingly likely to be promoted.

It was a day that didn’t start too well for Parma as the visitors took the lead after 40 minutes as Mattia Ridolfi connected with Zamagni’s early cross into the area to roll the ball into the bottom corner to put Parma’s promotion party on hold. However in the second minute of first half stoppage time, Parma were level as Alessio Innocenti played a killer through ball to the touchline as Simone Edera connected with the ball, pulling it back to find Francesco Corapi at the back post who was on hand to head the ball home and level the scores at the Ennio Tardini. However just after half time the visitors were back in front as Zamagni found Ridolfi once again, with the forward firing past Zommers in the Parma goal. Things went from bad to worse for Parma in the 52nd minute as Francesco Luoni allowed Simone Tonelli to get inside of him, before the defender lunged in giving away a penalty which was coolly slotted away by Tonelli to make it 3-1 and almost guarantee that Parma would have to secure their promotion on the final day of the season. However in the 63rd minute, Parma pulled one back as Daniele Melandri cut inside, firing a powerful effort towards goal, which was deflected by the Romagna Centro keeper, with Francesco Corapi sweeping up the loose ball and making it 3-2. Then with time running out, in the second minute of second half stoppage time, Parma ventured forward hoping to desperately grab an equaliser as Walter Rodriguez looked out wide to find Yves Baraye who cut inside and with his weak foot fired a low effort past the goalkeeper to level the scores at 3-3 to send the home fans crazy, as their team came from 3-1 down to secure a memorable draw. However it was enough for Paolo Vanoli’s side to secure their promotion to Lega Pro as Ravenna were stunned by Sammuarese, meaning they could no longer catch Parma and promotion to the third tier of Italian football was secured.

On the final game of the season, Parma romped to a crushing victory over Bellaria. It was a flying start for Parma that helped them to victory as they were 4-0 up within 20 minutes as Francesco Corapi connected with Simone Edera’s cross for the first. Marcello Sereni scooped up the loose ball in the area in the 10th minute to double the lead before in the 16th minute Simone Corazza collected Marcello Sereni’s long ball forward, with the forward taking a touch before firing a powerful effort past the Bellaria keeper. Then in the 19th minute Francesco Luoni played a one-two with Simone Corazza before firing a long range effort into the top corner to make it 4-0 and all but seal the victory for Parma. Then in the 34th minute they extended their lead as Francesco Corapi found Simone Corazza with a searching cross, but the forward’s effort was deflected into his own goal by the Bellaria keeper Falso. 5-0 up at half time, Parma came out in the second half searching for more and in the 56th minute Simone Edera’s corner found Giulo Mulas who headed back across goal to find Simone Corazza who smashed home to seal a 6-0 lead for Paolo Vanoli’s men. However Bellaria gave their fans some ounce of dignity as in the 69th minute Suriano’s powerful long range effort flew past Zommers to score a consolation goal for Bellaria as their season ended in a heavy defeat, whilst Parma began to look forward to their Scudetto campaign.