Late Juventus Show Rescues Point Against Parma
Parma 2 - 2 Juventus
Juventus launched a magnificent late comeback against Parma to earn a 2-2 draw in an enthralling match at the Stadio Tardini, which also saw three red cards and a controversial disallowed Vincenzo Iaquinta goal.
zoom - galleria Parma had completely dominated the first 75 minutes of the match and had led 2-0 through an Andrea Gasbarroni penalty (42) and a Andrea Pisanu strike (58).
However a Nicola Legrottaglie header (75) and a close-range finish from Vincenzo Iaquinta (82) earned Juventus a point, and they could have earned all three points had Iaquinta not had a last-gasp header controversially disallowed.
The game was played with a ten minute delay as a sign of respect following the tragic death of a Lazio supporter this morning.
The main team news for Parma was the absence of the injured Giuseppe Cardone, Igor Budan and the suspended Fernando Couto. Bernardo Corradi and Reginaldo started up front.
Juventus were without Pavel Nedved who was suspended. Mauro Camoranesi made his first start since the week three defeat to Udinese, while Domenico Criscito replaced Cristian Molinaro.
Parma had the first chance of the game on two minutes and Reginaldo saw his shot blocked by Nicola Legrottaglie following good work down the right by Andrea Gasbarroni.
Gialloblu keeper' Luca Bucci then had to be alert down the other end to beat Camoranesi to the ball.
The home side started much the brighter of the two teams and Andrea Pisanu headed over when well placed. Morrone was also left unmarked at a corner but headed wide.
Gasbarroni was causing all kinds of problems and a dangerous cross fizzed across the Juventus six-yard box.
All the chances were falling to Parma though and Morrone fired wide from the edge of the area after excellent hold-up play by Corradi.
Gianluigi Buffon then demonstrated his worth on 34 minutes with a superb point-blank save from Reginaldo after a cross from the left from Corradi. Five minutes before the break Buffon was forced into another save, albeit a more comfortable one, from a Corradi header.
On 41 minutes Parma were awarded a penalty after Reginaldo went down in the box following, what appeared to be, minimal contact from Cristiano Zanetti. Gasbarroni stepped up and buried the penalty past Buffon's outsretched right hand. It was the sixth penalty in just 12 games that Juve have conceded this season.
In stoppage time at the end of the half a fumble by Bucci almost offered David Trezeguet a chance but all in all it had been an abysmal first half performance by Juventus.
Bianconeri boss Claudio Ranieri knew that changes needed to be made and Vincenzo Iaquinta was brought on for the quiet Alessandro Del Piero.
It made no immediate impact as Parma continued their dominance. First Reginaldo skipped past a challenge and flashed a shot across the box, then Pisanu found space inside the area and fired a shot straight at Buffon.
On 51 minutes Luca Cigarini unleashed a fearsome left-footed shot from just outside the box but it was always rising. Parma were first to every ball and Gasbarroni wasted another excellent opening by overhitting a cross from the right.
The second goal was inevitable and it duly arrived on 56 minutes. Gasbarroni caused more havoc down the right and crossed for Pisanu who executed a delightful chest and volley past Buffon.
The game was embarrassingly one-sided and Gasbarroni went on a mesmerising solo run, beating three men and then forcing out a save out of Buffon.
It took until the 59th minute for Juve to have their first shot on goal and Camoranesi's poweful shot was comfortably turned around the post by Bucci.
Ranieri then brought on Tiago Mendes and Hasan Salihamidzic for Nocerino and Grygera in a desperate bid to salvage something from the game.
The away side showed a minimal improvement but the lack of creativity in the side was all too evident. Iaquinta span and shot neatly but it was always rising.
On 75 minutes Juventus were handed a lifeline as Legrottaglie rose to nod a Tiago free-kick past Bucci and into the far corner of the net.
Two minutes later both teams were reduced to ten men. Chiellini won the ball with a strong sliding tackle on Parma substitute Domenico Morfeo.
While the pair were on the floor Morfeo violently grasped Chiellini's face. The Juve man did not appear to react but the referee nonetheless showed straight red cards to both.
This spurred the Bianconeri on and on 81 minutes they were level. Salihamidzic's cross was flicked on by Trezeguet and Iaquinta slid in at the far post to score.
There was only one winner now and Iaquinta had another shot charged down inside the area. Juventus completely dominated the last 10 minutes but just couldn't force through a packed Parma rearguard.
Five minutes of stoppage time were awarded and Ferdinand Coly was harshly sent off after a foul on Palladino.
Juve thought they had grabbed the winner deep into added-on time but Iaquinta saw his close-range header disallowed for an apparent push on a defender. It seemed a harsh decision from the referee.
Parma: Pavarini, Coly, Falcone, M Rossi, Castellini, Pisanu (Morfeo 77), Morrone, Cigarini, Gasbarroni (Dessena 69), Reginaldo (Matteini 88), Corradi
Juventus: Buffon, Grygera (Salihamidzic 64), Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Criscito, Camoranesi, Nocerino (Tiago 58), C Zanetti, Palladino, Trezeguet, Del Piero (Iaquinta 46)
Ref: Gava
Goals: Gasbarroni pen 42 (P), Pisanu 57 (P), Legrottaglie 75 (J), Iaquinta 81 (J)
Sent Off; Morfeo 77 (P), Chiellini 77 (J), Coly 91 (P)
