In the first game of this weekends Serie A action Parma made it eight games unbeaten in Serie A with a 3-0 away win against Livorno at the Stadio Armando Picchi
Cassano was incredibly benched yet again by coach Roberto Donadoni, yet it mattered little as a goal from Raffaele Palladino and two strikes late on from Amauri secured the points for the Crociati.
The two side’s recent fortunes were epitomised by the games blistering start as Jonathan Biabiany skipped past his man on the right and whipped a cross to the back post for Palladino to accurately volley Parma into the lead after just two minutes.
Livorno’s response was a positive one, Paulinho showing a nice change of pace inside the area only to have his shot deflected wide.
Down the other end Amauri did well from a corner to arch his back and get a headed attempt on goal but the ball floated harmlessly over.
The Amaranto looked to edge their way back into the game, Ibrahima Mbaye cutting in from the left but his shot was blocked, Leandro Rinaudo’s header from the resulting corner was off target.
The Crociati then had a very presentable opportunity to double their lead, Palladino again finding himself with far too much space in the Livorno box after Afriyie Acquah’s good work down the right, but on this occasion the Italian’s left footed volley flew wide of the post.
In a rather comical moment Parma keeper Antonio Mirante blasted his kick into the back of the head of his unsuspecting team mate Massimo Gobbi in what was an assured opening quarter by the Gialloblu.
In a sign of Livorno’s desperation to restore parity, coach Davide Nicola made a change after just 25 minutes, Marco Biagianti giving way for Luca Siligardi to give the home side a more potent threat going forward.
Biabiany was a constant menace down the right for the visitors, running at the Livorno defence and pulling an inviting ball back for Amauri, only for the Brazilian born forward to completely miscue his effort.
With the first half drawing to a close Paulinho tried to beat Mirante at his near post from a free kick only for the Ducali keeper to parry it away.
Livorno came out the traps quickly in the second half, Siligardi’s attempt from the centre of the box saved and held by Mirante.
On the hour mark Livorno created arguably their clearest chance of the game, Siligardi, who undoubtedly made an impact off the bench, clipped a lovely cross into the back post which was met by a flying Cristiano Piccini whose diving header produced a fine save down low from Mirante.
The game then settled into a pattern which typified the second half, the home side pushing and probing for a breakthrough with the Gialloblu looking to spring a counter attack and find a killer goal.
Siligardi curled a free kick harmlessly wide while Biabany, who was a bright spark throughout, eventually ran out of steam and was replaced by Nicola Sansone.
With 15 minutes remaining Livorno came agonisingly close to bringing the scores level, substitute Joseph Duncan’s pull back finding Leandro Greco just inside the area however he dragged his first time shot narrowly wide, Emerson’s speculative 40 yard effort then forced Mirante to acrobatically tip the ball over the bar.
On the 80 minute mark Marco Parolo’s drive from distance swerved devilishly forcing Francesco Bardi into a fine save to keep the home side in touching distance.
It would prove to be a brief reprieve for the Amaranto, Sansone was initially denied from eight yards by Bardi, Gobbi’s follow up then hit the post only for the ball to rebound to the feet of Amauri who duly accepted the chance to wrap the points up for the Gialloblu with a routine finish.
Amauri then put the icing on the cake for the visitors as he cooly converted from the penalty spot in the dying embers after Emerson had fouled Pedro Mendes giving Parma a well earned win.
