Parma, 30 May 2021 – On Sunday 1 December 2002, Parma struck twice in the first 24 minutes and went on to run out 4-0 winners away to Torino in Serie A. Our latest Crociati History column will recall that clash as the Ducali prepare to face the Granata at 20:45 CEST on Monday 3 May.
It was a game which saw Matteo Brighi saw his first goal in the Italian top flight. Having been selected in Parma’s starting XI by Claudio Cesare Prandelli in place of the suspended Emanuele Filippini, Brighi broke the deadlock on the 15-minute mark.
The young midfielder latched onto the ball in the box, set himself up with an excellent first touch and fired past former Crociati man Luca Bucci with an excellent left-footed shot (0-1).
Then, in the 24th minute, Adrian Mutu scored with a fantastic free kick.
The Romanian struck the ball from a difficult angle and a fair way out. It flew towards the near post, bounced just before the goal line and ended in the net to Bucci’s right (0-2).
The scoreline would remain the same until half-time, but the Ducali could have gone into the break with an even healthier advantage had Hidetoshi Nakata made the most of three chances that had come his way.
In the 17th minute, an outrushing Bucci managed to thwart the Japanese man. With 25 minutes on the clock, he hit the bar with a lob. Then, after 38 minutes, he opted tried to provide an assist instead of shooting following Sabri Lamouchi’s excellent burst forward.
The second half followed the same script. In the space of 22 minutes, Parma completely killed off the match.
Indeed, Adriano bagged a brace from two Nakata assists.
In the 50th minute, the Brazilian striker chested the ball down and showed brilliant composure to find the far corner with the tip of his right foot (0-3).
16 minutes later, he headed home a cross from the Japanese star while in full flight (0-4).
Header: Brighi in action. In the photos: the Crociati fans; Mutu; Nakata; Adriano. Below: the Away Sector at the Stadio Delle Alpi in Turin.
