Antwerp, 20 July 2024 - A first victory for Parma this season against an opponent who brings back memories of our Club. The Gialloblù won 2-1 at Antwerp, the same result as the final of the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup 31 years ago at Wembley (that game ended 3-1, but the same result nevertheless): this match took place at the Belgian’s home ground, the Bosuilstadion, and the action all took place in the first half. From Chery hitting the post (12’) after a great save from Chichizola, to the hosts taking the lead. Antwerp, who are further ahead in their preseason preparations, kicking off their league campaign on 28 July, went ahead on 24' after a driving run from Kerk, and a flick-on from Chery who put it into Balikwisha’s path who controlled and scored. After Hernani’s freekick from the edge of the box (just wide, 29’), it was Partipilo who found the net first for Parma, converting into an open goal (Hernani with the assist) before Hernani himself surprised Lammens with an extraordinary strike from thirty metres out. Parma controlled the game well in the second half, playing with measure, whilst new signing, Zion Suzuki made his debut on 61', helping bring home Parma’s first victory of the 2024/25 preseason. Next up, another match of great significance as Parma face Galatasaray on 27 July in Linz.

ANTWERP (4-2-3-1) Lammens; Odoi, Van Den Bosch, Alderweireld, Costa; Keita (73’ Yusuf), Ekkelenkamp (83’ Doumbia); Kerk (73’ Ondrejka), Chery (73’ Scott), Balikwisha (83’ Udoh); Janssen (88’ Vandeplas). Unused subs: Van Gils, Devalckeneer, Corbanie, Bataille, Luyckx, Valencia. Coach: Jonas De Roeck

PARMA (4-2-3-1)Chichizola (61’ Suzuki); Coulibaly (72’ Valenti), Delprato (60’ Camara), Circati (88’ Amoran), Valeri (46’ Balogh); Sohm (72’ Haj), Estévez (61’ Cyprien); Partipilo (60’ Begić), Hernani (46’ Hainaut), Kowalski (72’ Mikolajevski); Bonny (46’ Charpentier). Unused subs: Corvi. Coach: Fabio Pecchia

Referee: Wim Smet. 

Assistants: Nico Claes, Wouter Cochet

Corners: 9-3 

Injury time: 1’ ; 3’