Parma 0 - 1 Bologna
Tare 18 (B)
Stadio Tardini (29,000)
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Igli Tare has given Bologna a precious away win at Parma's Stadio Tardini in the relegation play-off first leg.
One of these two teams will play in Serie B next season and this play-off was given an extra twist as the clubs are also local rivals. Parma were hit by a remarkable six suspensions ruling out Alberto Gilardino, Domenico Morfeo, Jorge Bolano, Fabio Vignaroli, Daniele Bonera and Matteo Contini. Marco Marchionni and Sorrentino were also injured, so Coach Pietro Carmignani had precious few choices. Bologna were without Juarez due to a ban, while Theo Zagorakis was sidelined by a back problem.
Mark Bresciano's free kick skimmed the far post after six minutes, but Bologna had the better of the early play and Sebastien Frey rushed off his line to close down Claudio Bellucci after Igli Tare had held up the ball.
The Rossoblu eventually made the most of their pressure after 18 minutes. Full-back Valentin Nastase's cross found Tare at the back post for a looping header that gave Bologna a precious away goal and the lead at the Stadio Tardini.
Parma hit back and Gianluca Pagliuca was at full stretch to palm Francesco Ruopolo's tricky cross-shot and Andrea Pisanu was unable to turn in the loose ball. Cesare Bovo got on the end of a corner kick, but failed to keep his header on target.
There was controversy on the half-hour mark as Fabio Simplicio tumbled under a challenge from Stefano Torrisi, but the referee ignored penalty appeals to assign a corner. The contact did not seem to be so serious as to warrant a spot-kick, though Torrisi did not get the ball either.
There was bad news for Bologna, as Torrisi limped off with a back problem to be replaced by Nicola Legrottaglie. Yet the visitors had another good chance moments later when Mourad Meghni's free kick was inches off Bellucci's out-stretched foot at the back post.
Parma went close on the stroke of half-time with a well-worked team move down the left, but Renato Olive's final shot was charged down by substitute Legrottaglie in the six-yard box.
Carlo Mazzone made another substitution for the second half, replacing Mourad Meghni with Tomas Locatelli. Within 20 seconds of the restart Bellucci found space and his angled drive was just wide of the target.
Parma needed an equaliser, but found themselves kept out by an alert Pagliuca. In quick succession the veteran pushed away a splendid Fabio Simplicio spin and strike, then had his palms stung by a fierce follow-up from Ibrahim Camara.
Australian international Mark Bresciano was particularly disappointing and blasted several free kicks over the bar. Bologna had another opportunity to double their lead from a corner kick, as Carlo Nervo and Locatelli had their efforts charged down.
Parma had another penalty appeal from Fabio Simplicio rejected when he fell under Legrottaglie's challenge and this was more of a shout than the first half incident.
Gialloblu midfielder Pisanu was booked and will be suspended for the decider at the Stadio Dall'Ara on Saturday June 18. The home side was putting more pressure on in this second half and ex-Bologna man Renato Olive nodded a corner on to the roof of the net.
Fabio Simplicio fell for the third time, this time nudged by Federico Giunti as he ran on to Bresciano's pass, but the referee booked him for simulation. The Tardini crowd turned increasingly angry and aimed its fury at Stefano Farina.
Olive was stretchered off the field after falling awkwardly and appeared to have sprained his ankle, so Under-18 international Daniele Dessena was introduced.
Pagliuca rescued Bologna yet again with a fantastic flying save on Fabio Simplicio's curling free kick in stoppages.
The tension rose and in the penultimate minute of stoppages a brawl broke out, sparked by Fabio Simplicio and Locatelli but eventually involving most of the players and members of the bench. Both Coaches were sent off for stepping on to the pitch and two players were also red-carded from the bench - Bologna's Christian Amoroso and Parma goalkeeper Luca Bucci. This means that all of those sent off, including the tacticians, will be suspended for the decider on June 18.
Eight minutes of injury time were not enough for Parma to draw level, though Fabio Simplicio somehow managed to blast over the bar from seven yards in the final seconds of the match. They must now win at the Dall'Ara to stay in Serie A and will have stars Gilardino and Morfeo back in the side.
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Parma: Frey; Cannavaro, Cardone, Bovo, Camara; Olive (Dessena 74), Savi (Grella 61); Pisanu, Simplicio, Bresciano; Ruopolo
Bologna: Pagliuca; Gamberini, Torrisi (Legrottaglie 36), Nastase; Nervo, Amoroso (Colucci 81), Giunti, Capuano; Meghni (Locatelli 46), Bellucci; Tare