Parma, 14 May 2021 – On Sunday 6 October 2013, on a rainy, early-Autumn day at the Stadio Ennio Tardini, Parma Calcio recorded their first Serie A victory over Sassuolo at home.
It was a mighty effort from the team, given the adverse weather conditions – and the fact that they were a man down.
This is the match we’re recalling in our latest Crociati history column ahead of our next fixture against the Neroverdi at 18:00 CEST on Sunday 16 May.
The key man on the day was Antonio Cassano, with a goal and two assists to his name.
The first he served up for Raffaele Palladino in the 32nd minute.
Fantantonio took advantage of defender Francesco Acerbi’s indecision.
At the by-line, he simply nicked the ball from the feet of the defender.
He crossed into the middle, where our attacker powerfully headed the ball down into the ground, wrong-footing former Crociati goalkeeper Gianluca Pegolo (1-0).
In the final moments of the first half, after a back-pass from Massimo Gobbi, our goalkeeper Antonio Mirante brought down Sassuolo centre-forward Domenico Berardi.
His intervention – after long discussions between the officials and contrary to the original decision – was adjudged to be a foul by the referee Andrea De Marcho, who showed Mirante a red card.
Berardi himself netted from the penalty spot, firing past Pavol Bajza, who had only just come on, to draw the visitors level (1-1).
This whole incident might well have changed the game, putting an end to all our good work up to that point.
It didn’t pan out that way.
After the break, Parma – thanks to their No. 99 – took the lead.
Indeed, with 70 minutes on the clock, Cassano produced another fantastic cross.
Once again, it landed on the head of one of his Crociati teammates.
This time, the beneficiary was Aleandro Rosi, who showed excellent movement to beat Reto Ziegler to the ball before directing his effort into the bottom corner (2-1).
Then, in the 76th minute, Cassano put the game to bed, making the most of Walter Gargano’s defence-splitting free kick over the top.
After controlling the ball, he let it bounce and then let fly with his right foot, giving Pegolo no chance (3-1).
In the header: Cassano’s goal. In the photos: Palladino’s joy after opening the scoring; Bajza coming on after Mirante’s sending-off; Rosi heading home Parma’s second; Rosi being chased by Gobbi and Marco Parolo after his goal; Cassano and Rosi hugging; Cassano’s celebration after making it 3-1; captain Alessandro Lucarelli with his teammates in front of the Curva Nord after the match.
