Parma, 4 March 2022 – Looking back at Crociati History, Reggina have already visited the Stadio Ennio Tardini on 5 March, as will be the case tomorrow (14:00 CET kick-off) on matchday 28 of the 2021/22 Serie B season.
They did so on Sunday 5 March 2000, when Parma played their 24th fixture of the 1999/00 Serie A season.
After suffering a heavy defeat at the Tardini in their previous match – a 4-0 loss to Fiorentina – the Crociati were looking to make amends in front of their home crowd.
It was a day when Ariel Ortega rose to the occasion.
Indeed, El Burrito put in one of his best performances in the Parma shirt.
In the second minute, he combined with Diego Fuser down the right, producing a wonderful back-heel for him to run onto.
With the Reggina players chasing shadows, Fuser unleashed a low right-footed strike that nestled in the far, giving Parma the lead (1-0).
In the 35th minute, Ortega delivered a perfect left-wing corner for fellow Argentine Hernan Crespo, who headed past Massimo Taibi (2-0).
At the end of the first half, Crespo scored another from the penalty spot. The spot-kick had been awarded by referee Gianluca Paparesta for a foul on Fabio Cannavaro.
Even though the visiting goalkeeper went the right way, he wasn’t able to keep out the right-footed strike (3-0).
There were no further goals after the restart.
Now for a fun fact relating to the two goalkeepers on the pitch 22 years ago.
Tomorrow, they’ll be opponents again.
While Gianluigi Buffon will be between the sticks, Taibi will be cheering on Reggina in his role as sporting director.
Photos: Crociati fans holding up their scarves during Parma vs. Reggina in 2000; Ortega battling with Andrea Pirlo, then a Reggina player; the goalscorers, Crespo and Fuser; Parma supporters at kick-off.
