Parma Lucky to Scrape a Point in 2-2 Spezia Draw

Italian Football, Parma, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Spezia One comment

Parma welcomed the challenge of Spezia at the Stadio Ennio Tardini, in what promised to be an interesting bottom half of the Serie A table affair between two relegation-threatened sides.

Since football returned, Parma have the joint-worst record in Serie A with 10 losses from 17 fixtures. The Gialloblu have only 2 victories and 7 defeats in their last 10 outings. Meanwhile, Spezia have impressed and were on course to match the Italian top-flight record for points accumulated in the first three away games.

Both sides needed the points but have shown a penchant for conceding late goals. The match stood as a potential six-pointer for the impending relegation battle that will most likely see both sides involved.

Parma’s lack of creativity in the final third has been the highlight of their season, and it was on display despite Fabio Liverani’s best efforts. The 2-2 result saw Spezia create more chances but the visitors were unlucky to return home from Parma with only one out of the three points on offer.

The visitors started brilliantly with Emmanuel Quartsin Gyasi, calling Luigi Sepe in Parma’s goal into action. Sepe dived to his left to deny Gyasi’s first attempt and came up with an equally impressive reflex save for Spezia’s second opportunity.

However, the Napoli native did not have any chance for the Little Eagles’ next opportunity. Simone Bastoni’s cross from the corner found Julian Chabot. The German defender’s accurate header was again aimed at the left post, and this time it would not be stopped.

The Eagles’ relentless pressure would be rewarded again as the Parma defense was caught napping. M’Bala Nzola found Kevin Agudelo inside the box, and his neatly placed strike downed their lead.

With Spezia being the dominant side in the affair, the quickfire double had them in the driving seat. Fabio Liverani’s men had to respond before the proceedings got out of control. Riccardo Gagliolo was their savior, as he halved the deficit within minutes.

Gaston Brugman swung in a cross from a dead ball after Juraj Kucka had been brought down by Lucien Agoume. Ivan Provodel denied Jasmin Kurtic but could not deal with it properly. The ball fell to Gagliolo within the six-yard box, and he easily slotted into the back of the net.

The game settled after the three goals in six minutes. Both teams were comfortably on the ball as they developed from the back. Before the end of the first period, Spezia would get a chance to restore their two-goal lead, however, Simone Bastoni’s effort from outside the Parma box did not find its intended target.

The Eagles would resume their pressure after the break. Nahuel Estevez was unlucky to not get on the scoreboard as his volley from 12-yards out only rattled the right post. Fortune was not smiling on Vincenzo Italiano’s men as Lucien Agoume’s effort from inside the box hit the left post.

Daniele Verde came on for Kevin Agudelo and rejuvenated the Spezia attack. The Neapolitan attacker tried his luck, but his aim was off-color. He would come closer, but his efforts would not bear fruit. Verde would first send the ball over the bar, and then like Agoume and Estevez, hit the post.

The final 10 minutes of regulation time saw Parma take the driving seat and Spezia aim to keep their lead. Vincenzo Italiano’s strategy backfired as the Eagles had trouble in their own half.

Yann Karamoh came close to equalizing after weaving past the opposition defense but could not hit the back of the net. Juraj Kucka would face a similar fate moments later. The Gialloblu would have a penalty appeal turned down with VAR’s intervention.

The Emilian outfit’s adventures would pay dividends in the second minute of injury time. Claudio Terzi tripped Wylan Cyprien in the box for a Parma penalty. Juraj Kucka would step up from the spot and send the ball into the top right corner to equalize.

The remaining minutes were played out as both sides settled for a draw. Spezia would rue their profligacy in front of the Parma goal as they were unlucky with the draw. However, they still managed to enter the record books with the best away record for a promoted side. Meanwhile, Parma would be pleased with the come from behind draw.

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