Atalanta took three vital points off Parma, with a 1-0 win against their fellow strugglers at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia.
The home side were in control for large parts, but the visitors held firm as chances for Maximiliano Moralez and Rolando Bianchi failed to penetrate the Crociati defence- before Richmond Boakye fired the winner in the 90th minute.
Atalanta, known for their weak attack thus far in Serie A, pressed from the outset at the spacious visiting defence as left-back Boukary Drame sparked an attack out of nothing with a fierce 50-yard run at the visiting defence, striking a powerful effort that was deflected inches wide.
The hosts certainly had the brighter start, with an under pressure German Denis heading wide at close-range from a Moralez cross.
Parma’s best contribution to the early exchanges saw Antonio Cassano break free down the left-wing, with the veteran’s dangerous cross somehow evading the on-rushing attackers, enabling Atalanta to counter-attack in an increasingly end-to-end game.
However, the flow of the game broke down when Parma’s Cristobal Jorquera was replaced after 20 minutes with a muscle injury; and it was a long wait before the next half-chance fell to Moralez, half-volleying wide from 18 yards in his 99th league apperance for La Dea.
Fizzling out, with the score 0-0 at half-time, Atalanta’s left-flank was again the source of inspiration for their first attack of the second period; an excellent Drame cross falling for the dangerous Moralez to fire just wide of the near-post.
With pressure building for the Orobici, Parma were doing a solid job of dealing with an increasing number of dangerous crosses- something which Roberto Donadoni’s side have been incapable of in this Serie A season.
The Gialloblu almost got a just reward for their defensive efforts, as Acquah had time to measure a stinging drive that flashed wide of the sprawling Marco Sportiello’s post.
Coach Stefano Colantuono decided to bring Rolando Bianchi on for the profligate Denis on the hour-mark, sparking an angry response from the captain- ripping off his armband before kicking a kitbag on his way to the bench.
Within 10 minutes Bianchi was involved as he won a free-kick for a climb by Parma captain Alessandro Lucarelli, but the main-threat Moralez could only hit the wall from 22-yards out.
With 15 minutes left, the league’s lowest scorers passed up another chance to take the lead, Bianchi heading down for the unmarked substitute Daniele Baselli to volley over from 18 yards, and the Italian midfielder probably could have taken a touch.
La Dea’s dominance still struggled to break down Parma’s stubborn defending, Drame winning possession from Pedro Mendes’ failed clearance, and a cross found Bianchi stretching- but coming up short- as his flick bobbled wide.
In the 90th minute, it was the on-loan Boakye who won the game for Atalanta, with Luca Cigarini stinging the palms of Antonio Mirante, whose soft parry fell to the Ghanian striker, making no mistake as he fired the rebound into the corner, sealing the points.
