Parma 0-2 Inter: Nerazzurri keep out 10-man Gialloblu

Date: 19th April 2014 at 5:09pm
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Parma succumbed to Inter 0-2 at the Stadio Tardini on Saturday afternoon in Serie A.

The Nerazzurri took an important step to secure a fifth place Europa League spot behind goals from Rolando and substitute Fredy Guarin while Parma saw Gabriel Paletta ejected and talisman Antonio Cassano miss a crucial penalty for the Crociati.

Parma began the day a slim two points behind Inter for 5th place and the Gialloblu appeared intent at the onset to close the gap as they dominated possession and commanded the bulk of play throughout the first 25 minutes.

Cassano returned to the lineup after recovering from a calf injury which had sidelined the Azzurri hopeful for two weeks as he played under the watchful eye of Italian national team coach Cesare Prandelli.

The Bari-born playmaker had the first real chance nearly 10 minutes in when he created a yard of space and struck a dangerous header from a Mattia Cassani corner to Samir Handanovic’s right post, but the Slovenian keeper’s acrobatic dive kept Parma off the score sheet.

Moments later Raffaele Palladino easily dribbled past Hugo Campagnaro and his cross was expertly handled by Cassano in the area but his left-footed shot was pulled hopelessly wide.

The Nerazzurri had scarcely mounted any type of attack until nearly the half hour mark when Mauro Icardi was left unmarked on a corner, but the striker’s header went inches wide of Antonio Mirante’s net.

Icardi’s miss awakened a sleepy Inter as three quick chances fell their way, including an expertly taken half-volley by Rodrigo Palacio, a dangerous free kick by Hernanes and right-footed rocket from Esteban Cambiasso, but they were all safely kept out by Mirante.

There was high drama in the closing moments of the half when Parma were awarded a penalty as Walter Samuel stepped on Palladino’s left foot in the area and the referee pointed to the spot.

Cassano stepped up and his right-footed shot beat Handanovic but clanged off the post and onto the path of an unmarked Marco Parolo who could not manage to balance himself for an on target shot on a prone Handonovic.

The second half continued the theatrics at the Tardini in the opening minute when Palleta was dismissed for his second yellow on a tackle from behind on Palacio.

Inter capitalized immediately on a stunned Parma as Hernanes floated the ensuing free kick to the back post where Rolando, completely forgotten by the Gialloblu defense, drilled his diving header past a helpless Mirante for his fourth Serie A goal.

Parma provided an immediate response with a pair of chances by Cassano and Jonathan Biabiany barely missing before Alessandro Lucarelli split a pair of defenders with an excellent header, but the effort clanged off Handonovic’s crossbar and the Ducali remained both a goal and a man short.

Inter seemed to be squad playing a man down as their midfield were overrun by a motivated Parma side growing in confidence but unable to capitalize on their chances.

Against the run of play, the match was sealed in the closing minutes when seconds after replacing Hernanes, Guarin drilled a right-footed missile from 22 yards past a diving Mirante to extend Inter’s lead to five points over Parma and close the gap on Fiorentina for fourth place down to only two points.

 

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