(even older archives can be found on here)
10th May
How about that?!
WE WON THE COPPA!!!
Phew, am plum exhausted!! OK, just the 1-0, courtesy of a 4th minute Junior bobbling, speculative shot that everybody just watched as it sailed past and into the net. But that was enough for the 2-2 and the win on away goal! Woo! The Juventus tactic was obvious. Defend. But, they hadn't expected us to score (well, neither had I! :)). We had plenty of chances to score a second too - but fluffed each one. With about 20 minutes to go, they had 3 strikers on the pitch - Del Piero, Trezeguet and Salas and things got very nerve-wracking - so much so that I had to depart momentarily to the kitchen for a lump of cheese and a couple olives. I have a few grumbles - in that Di Vaio was, yet again, totally ineffective (and wonders why he didn't get into the Azzurri squad?) - and Nakata was, not really up to it as usual - but there are a few praises too (for once). We worked darned hard. I mean, they had elite people playing and we had waifs and strays - but the defence (just noticed how short they are) of Sensini, Diana, Sartor and Benarrivo (especially) were magnificent. Taffarel too.
But this is fabulous - I am so pleased. It's fabulous for Benarrivo (probably his last game) and fabulous for Fabio (maybe suspended, but he was there and celebrating in a vest, on the pitch - in fact, he jointly picked up the cup with Benarrivo) - a great way to end his Parma career (makes it no less sad though.). Lastly, fabulous that we denied Juventus that double that they were so expecting to pick up!!!
Oh, am rambling nonsense! Wish there was a nice picture up on Rai that I could put here - but there isn't as yet.
Well, Forza Parma! I'm off for vino!
(Parma.ac had a pic though - so we nabbed that one even though it's not very good - and have just (11/05/02 12:03:17) added that beaut at the top, also from parma.ac - but found on their italian version!)
Match stats
Parma (3-4-2-1): Taffarel 7, Sartor 7 (41' st Ferrari sv), Sensini 7, Benarrivo 7,5, Diana 6.5, Almeyda 7, Lamouchi 7, Junior 6.5, Nakata 6.5 (39' st Appiah sv), Micoud 5 (37' st Bonazzoli sv), Di Vaio 5. (1 Frey, 5 Gurenko, 13 Maini, 19 Grieco). All. Carmignani 7.
Juventus (4-4-2): Carini 6, Birindelli 6.5 (1' st Del Piero 6), Ferrrara 6, Montero 6.5, Paramatti 5.5, Zenoni 6, Conte 6.5, Tacchinardi 5., Zambrotta 7, Zalayeta 5.5 (29' st Salas sv), Amoruso 5.5 (11' st Trezeguet. (1 Buffon, 21 Thuram, 26 Davids, 13 Iuliano). All. Lippi 6.
Ref: Paparesta of Bari 6.
Goal: 4' Junior.
Corners: 7 - 3 to Parma.
Yellows: Tacchinardi, Ferrara, Amoruso, Almeyda per gioco scorretto (?), Diana for diving in the area
Crowd: 29.000
7th May
 | Bye-Bye FabioThis picture and the text were taken from Fabio's Official Site "Parma, in the last match of the championship, give the gift of victory to Fabio Cannavaro. 2-1 the final score, by Di Vaio (43') and Micoud (80'). For Venezia goal by Maniero after seven minutes in the first half. But all the people was for him, for the captain. At his last match with this shirt Fabio couldnt be touched. "I feltr sad for all the week - he explain - and I was start crying when I came on the field. This match will remain always in my heart". |
Arrivederla, Fabio - and THANK YOU too.
5th May
Last day of the Serie A season!
We beat Venezia 2-1. Somehow, I think that a last day loss might've been more fitting to this season - and we were on our way to doing just that before we scored our first goal. (I know Di Vaio scored the first on 44 - no idea about the other!)
Well, congratulations to Gigi and Lilian. I really mean that. I can't help but feel sad that they couldn't have done it when they were with Parma though.
Hard luck to Pips too - bad move! :)
And then there's poor Ron
I saw this bit on Rai news. He might've had his eyes covered, but his mouth was weeping all manner of bubbling, frothing gunk - ick!
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Ah, CONGRATULATIONS TO VALENCIA!!!
Best bit of the ENTIRE season ANYWHERE! :))
28th April
Parma stay alive in Serie A just by the hairs on the ends of their chinnie-chin-chins, huh? 1-0 behind at relegated Fiorentina after only 4 minutes - and Udinese winning in their game, things didn't look too cosy for a while. Then Di Viao popped up very late (82 and 90 I think) to win the game and secure survival. He needn't have bothered actually, as Brescia went down screaming at Juventus. Well, yes, he did need actually - or that fourth relegation spot would've been between us and Brescia on the last day. As it is, that spot is now between Brescia, Verona, Piacenza and even Udinese - so that'll be exciting for them.
25th April
Coppa Italia Final - 1st leg (in Turin)
Mainly they were playing 33 v 33 this evening, but there were some clear intervals, when the Rai people forgot to rescramble after the ads. The 1st half was very dull indeed. Boghossian gave away a penalty (a very silly, but definite foul) and Amoruso scored from the spot. Half-time: 1-0 Juve.
The 2nd half was much more lively and Juve scored their second goal on around 59 minutes. A really quite splendid header from (somebody I'd never heard of) Zalayeta. To give Parma their dues though, they kept on plugging. There was some woeful passing though and the finishing skills of Marchionni and Bonazzoli (who had subbed Suker, who was even worse) were just awful. Nakata replaced Appiah towards the end of the second half, and things looked to improve even further and we peppered Juve's goal area with men, if not with shots. (They were playing a 14-year-old goalie named Carini - Buffon was on the bench - unclear whether injured or rested). Nakata scored on the 90 minutes. A nice cross from Marchionni, which Nakata met, volleyed into the ground - and up it popped over the goalie. Game ended, 2-1 - so, an away goal to take back to the Tardini. We could well yet do it. Anyway, we have a better chance of winning the coppa than either MU or Barca do of qualifying for the CL final (*gleeful snigger*).
Funniest news (rumour) I heard today was that Christophe "coke snorter" Daum is going to take over as coach of Parma next season!!
More bad news for Parma today, was that they lost their right to slice their own ham - at least with our Asda stores! Parma Meats had complained to the EC commission who judged that Asda could continue to slice the ham they bought from Parma themselves. It remains a puzzler though as to who, out of the two, would be most likely to cut the thicker slices.
Tonight's Parma line-up
Taffarel, Djetou, Boghossian, Benarrivo, Sartor, Appiah (Nakata about 15 mins from end), Lamouchi, Diana, Marchionni, Micoud, Sukur (Bonazzoli 60ish)
21st April
I suppose, looking at it, that Serie A is pretty exciting/tense this season - top and bottom. However, it had just as well be on another planet, so little do we hear of it here, so the disinterest continues.
A 93rd minute equaliser, by Micoud, was enough to give us just that one point more than both Brescia and Udinese (who both won) in the 4th spot relegation fight. Still in heap trouble though - and deservedly so. Fiorentina and Venezia to come should see us safe. But safe for what? What on earth is next season going to be like?
We play the first leg of the coppa final, on Thursday. Having already secured a spot in the UEFA Cup for next year, then at least Parma don't have to battle for an Intertoto spot (like Everton!) and so all those not involved in the World Cup can enjoy a lazy summer. Nakata too, most probably. Almeyda, on the other hand, could have a busy summer - which is more than can be said for his rest of year. (He didn't turn up again today).
31st March
Argh, a good resounding battering, 3-1, against Milan yesterday - and it seemed so promising when Di Vaio scored the opener. How consistently inconsistent we are! Pirlo scored one for them - and Pips put the other two past us (the first being as a result of a great pivot by Jose Marie which I should've liked to have seen). Simone never came off their bench - what a waste. Why can't we snap him up - and Mendieta who's languishing badly at Lazio? We won't though will we. I want to say here, "roll on the end of the season", but goodness only knows what the next one will bring.
23rd March
10th for a day! GOOD result against Juve this evening.
1-0 : 88' GOOOLLLLLL!!!!! LAMOUCHI!! Ancora un'azione dei padroni di casa che portano Lampuchi al tiro dal limite dell'area. Sulla conclusione non può nulla Buffon.
Pick that one out Gigi!!! (No sign of Lilian). Lamouchi! I bet he didn't get too many cuddles! :) The game seemed deadly dull, though I guess that doesn't really matter. I spotted Almeyda's name - good of him to turn up again. And why are we playing Taffarel in goal? Is that wise? Where's the flaxen Frenchie - sick or something?
Good practice for the Coppa.
19th March
Another loss on Sunday, 2-1 against Perugia. What can you say? Well, Parma are absolutely useless, for one thing - Danny Kaye doesn't appear to be too hot as a coach, for another. And (I repeat) what exactly IS Sacchi's job???? Whatever it is, he did a better one when he wasn't there. Is Nakata still with us? Why is he? Why on earth didn't we buy Montella when we had a glimpse of a chance? I actually think that we *might* be improved by signing Kevin Campbell - now there's a thing!!! He does though, actually, look happier (and keener) about his job than (say) Bonazzoli or Di Viao - now there's another thing! And Hakan Sukur missed an absolute sitter, it said on Eurosport - I find that surprising .......
Think we'll go down? I don't think we will, but I reckon we'd just as well do just that. Whatever happened to *the* Parma? Where did they go?
Oh, I have no real right to criticise as I haven't seen Parma in a league game all season - but it's still sad to see such rapid disintegration.
13th March
We lost 1-0 at Verona on Sunday - and played a wonderful 0-0 draw at the Tardini against Chievo this evening. Happy Days! Perhaps we could do with Walter Smith and his tactical awareness!! (Or hot-shot, Kevin Campbell, who I pray was part of the pay off package!!)
28th February
2nd Leg UEFA Parma v Hapoel Tel Aviv
No need to go searching to find out when the next draw is; we lost 1-2. Their two goals were the result of sloppy defending - our consolation goal came from Bonazzoli right near the end; the result of sloppy attacking. I'm certainly not surprised and, in all honesty, from the few matches I have seen us play this season, we hardly deserved to go any further in this competition. We're just not good enough.
Whatever possessed thingie coach to play Bolano and Junior on the same pitch, at the same time. Sorry, no can rate.
Good result last Sunday (2-3 at Piacenza) - so at least we have hope of staying alive in Serie A.
Well, football's not the most important thing in the world - in fact, it's hardly important at all.
21st February
1st Leg UEFA (4th?) Round v Hapoel Tel Aviv (in Israel)
I only saw the last 30 minutes of this game, so perhaps there was incident I missed. There is little to report. The game finished 0-0, which, normally, would be good - but our home form is not exactly marvellous this season, is it (e.g. the Torino loss on Sunday). I can say though that it did appear to me that we were showing much more keenness than witnessed for much of the last year and a half. Sensini has done something terrible to his hair (can't put my finger on it - he's probably just grown it a little) and I am wondering just when Micoud is finally going to depart; he really is very poor.
I was interested to read Benarrivo's slating of UEFA for allowing this game to go ahead in Israel, at this time of obvious danger. He states that "money is more important than men" and I couldn't agree with him more. I think that's what's wrong with football these days - too much of it (for the money) resulting in poorer standards (much). I am horrified at the Arsenal new ground plans. Why do they want to move from their beloved Highbury? From that listed building that is so much part of their history? Bigger crowds of course (more money). And in moving to this new site of theirs, they are having to demolish something like 80 small (or slightly bigger) businesses and goodness only knows how many homes. Football isn't worth that. Is the money?
7th February
2nd leg Coppa Italia semi final - Brescia v Parma
This game was never going to be as much about our attitude as about their attitude. Would their pride stand up to 3 defeats in a row, Parma having thrashed them 1-4 on Sunday? Well, looked for a while (about 10 minutes) that they might be up for it, but they are so poor, I really feel sorry for them. At half-time, it was Brescia 0 - Parma 0 (so still 0-2 on aggregate). Shortly after the game resumed, it was Brescia 0 - Parma 1, and the Brescia lads hung their heads, knowing that at 0-3 it must surely be all over. Our goal, btw, was scored by Bonazzoli - the Brescia defender seemingly too concerned with proving he hadn't fouled him, to bother to continue to mark him. Pav should've saved, but he didn't. Brescia soon had a little taste of hope. Penalty! They scored that one and also saw the expulsion of Fabio. I don't know why; the picture was scrambled, so it was difficult to tell for sure. Fabio had not long before received a yellow for an innocuous looking foul and then he was given another (presumably) - but I didn't think it was him who had conceded the penalty; perhaps I'm wrong. Anyway, without doubt, Brescia play much better against 10 men and they actually scored again! What's more, had they only been just a little bit better (sort of, on a par with Plymouth Argyle or Devonport Dynamos or Railway Nomads) they could well have scored 8 or 9 more past us - but they weren't and they didn't. They won 2-1 on the night and were fabulous at falling, but it's Parma who go through to the 2002 Coppa Italia Final, where they will meet Juventus.
What about Parma? How did we play? *shrug of shoulders*. Difficult to say what their game-plan was really. Benarrivo played and injected a little enthusiasm; Nakata excelled at passing to the opposition and attempting to perform daft, tricky things when simple would've been so much more sensible; Boghossian was super in defence for the last 5-10 minutes, making at least 3 crucial interceptions; Almeyda came on in the 2nd half and had a most wonderful run through midfield towards goal, but was crudely fouled at the last; Bonazzoli is very strange; Gurenko played the entire 90 minutes, although I hadn't realised until the end of the game that he was still on the pitch; our defence was OK; our midfield non-existent. All the movement towards our forward(s) came from the wings and the full backs, it seemed. Oh, OK - we weren't very good - and we will most probably be roasted by Juventus.
Will Fabio miss the final? That'll only make it even worse.
If Juve win the scudetto, does that give us an automatic UEFA place for getting to the final?
1st February
Two wins in a row ain't bad. A win against Bologna is always welcome (and somewhat difficult to come by) - and the win in the rearranged coppa semi against Brescia would look, on paper, like our passport to the final. So, I expect that some Parma fans are feeling pretty good about the team right now - or, at least, better than they were - but - oh, and I hate to put a dampener on the thing - but, I saw the Brescia game and I accidentally stayed up late and watched the "highlights" of our 2-0 loss in the San Siro against Inter. Neither made happy viewing. The highlights against Inter were pretty extended ones - and Parma were tragically woeful. They couldn't pass; they couldn't run; they couldn't think. There were only two Parma players on the pitch and those were Fabio and Frey. Frey has improved enormously since I last saw him and he kept us from humiliation in this game with some simply outstanding saves. Cannavaro was immense and looked way out of place. We seemingly had a better go of it against Brescia in the coppa - but (eek) imvho, really only and truly because Brescia allowed us to play (in the second half anyway). They hardly tried and we can only hope that they will again be as generous and have a similar game plan for Sunday's game - though that's doubtful. Two good goals we scored on Thursday, without doubt and we *should* find ourselves in the final, which is totally amazing when you think about it! :)
14th January
Parma 1 Lecce 1. Back to the same old story, we were 1-0 but let slip at the end! Djetou scored for us on 56 minutes. Djetou hadn't been meant to be playing, but Sensini had had an attack of the Delhi's apparently, so Djetou played. Good job!! Where was Sukur? Not even on the bench - is he injured or something? Anyway, our strikers couldn't earn their pay and Lecce's Vugrinec popped up and scored on 88 minutes.
Was Sacchi the chief culprit behind the signing of Sukur? Probably. Mr Stats, isn't what he's known as?? Probably went onto Championship Manager and looked up the player attributes. Well, Arrigo, Luis Enrique was always a darned good buy on there (plays any position equally brilliantly) - but, you generally had to do a bit of tweaking with the edit thingie (i.e cheat knowledgeably) and just blatantly change his team to your own (in that same way, Frank Verlaat remains - to this day - on Everton's books) before you could even begin to think of him being yours. Sukur, on the other hand, could generally be picked up on the free transfers. Perhaps you have a very old edition.
Can't really get too excited about the Coppa, (we beat Udinese 1-1 on away goals) - but, we get to play Brescia in the semi-final - first leg 23 January; second leg 7th February. There are 3 teams left in the competition who we could face in a final, should we beat Brescia. These are Juventus, Milan and Lazio.
9th January
We want to loan Nakata to Brescia; why's that then? (How much did he cost us??????) And he's REFUSED???? How pompous!
And we have Hakan Sukur????? C'mmmmmmoooooon! That's terrible - (unless, that is, we can sell more Sukur shirts to the Turks than we have Nakata ones to the Japanese, hey Snr Tanzi?).
We need somebody with a bit of passion, imho. Carbone (I keep saying) would've fitted that bill - Simone - someone small - not another great lumox. I've heard another rumour on Ventola - now then, that would be more like it. I don't suppose it'll come about now that we have Sukur though.
Sorry; not impressed.
6th January
What's this! A 3-4 win at Venezia! I'm speechless!!! Hatrick from Di Viao (winner in 91st minute) and the other from Bonazzoli. Di Viao is now top of the goalscoring charts with 12 goals! And we soar up the table a place!
Well, that's more like it - OK, it was only Venezia, but big trees out of little acorns grow, don't they??
Now then, was this Danny Kaye's doing, or Sacchi's?
23rd December
I really don't get what's going on - and I really can't be bothered to try to work it out right now!
Well, the man with the long name (who took us for our loss against Torino on Wednesday, shoving us down to 2nd from bottom) is staying until the end of the season (I think) - but Sacchi has returned in some capacity (maximum wages; least effort, I would imagine). This afternoon, we actually won a game! We beat Fiorentina 2-0 - second half goals from Bonazzoli and Di Vaio, and shoot up to 3rd from bottom, at Fiorentina's expense. Savo is meant to be going to Blackburn? Well, he started the game today - another puzzler. Fabio didn't turn up - and I wasn't sure whether he was suspended, sick or if we'd sold him already. Seems he's become a daddy again though - ah!
Merry Christmas to all!
18th December
Passarella sacked already!!
And we didn't even get to know him! Somebody with a very long name put in charge for tomorrow's game with Torino (good job they said!) and then they are toying with Scala and Sacchi. (Didn't we try out Sacchi not so long ago - and didn't he have a nervous breakdown or something?)
Well, I don't know how much these guys get paid for their short coaching stints, but I am more than willing to up sticks and give it a go for a month or even two. Could pay off the house and get a darned good holiday out of it! :) I don't have a coaching certificate, true - but I have a first aid one and sure as heck can pretend to run up and down in a tracksuit and look interested like either Scala or Sacchi might. How about it Signores Tanzis?
Are these people chumps or what?????? Or is it all going exactly according to plan ........
16th December
When I tuned into eurosport.com to check out the score, their last message was, "GOAAAAAL, Parma - Micoud", so I told my assembled (uninterested) family members that Parma had scored - but then had to add that Atalanta had already scored 4 by this time! Wow, what to say? Bring back Renzo? No, I don't think anybody could sort these players out - they must sort out themselves. They (the majority of them at least) are not without talent, but they are obviously without any desire. And Passarella is obviously unable to motivate them. Or is it just that the players in Italy, as a whole, have gotten above themselves? I read in a report that Chievo fully deserve to be on top of the league, because they play the best football in serie A right now! If they were (say) to actually win the scudetto and the players became household names with big sponsorships for boots and brylcreme, would this make them believe that they didn't have to work very hard to achieve further success? Seems that that's what's happening elsewhere - and nowhere more graphically than at Parma. Eurosport commented that Parma would now have to get their cheque book out. Who are they going to buy? And what difference would it make?
I watched Chelsea v Liverpool. I wonder who they call "Super Mario" at Stamford Bridge; Stanic or Melchiot?? Well, despite Chelsea's trouncing of L'pool, I can assure you that Mario S would not have made a difference to Parma, were he still there - he is slow and well past his best. Litmanen might've though. Or Zenden. Why weren't we in with a shout when these players were available. Oh! I think we were, with regards to Zenden - so why didn't we follow it up? Why have we got a team of big-headed primas who don't want to get their socks dirty? Or are they really just that poor?
12th December
A 1-1 at Udine, in the coppa last night ain't bad, I suppose. Gives us a chance of progressing in that.
UEFA CUP DRAW: We've only gone and drawn Hapoel Tel Aviv!!!! How many of our boys are going to refuse the trip to Israel on February 21st?? Let's hope things are a lot better by then because, without becoming political, I reckon anybody would be dozy to go there right now and another country should host that tie.
If you know Hebrew, you can try the Hapoel's website on www.hapoelta.com, but it's all in squiggles, I'm afraid.
Apologies to anybody trying to access this page over the last 24 hours or so and receiving a "Forbidden" message. Server hitch. They moved jillys to mother, but my files remained at jillys(!) Not sure whether it was the anger or the charm that got it sorted in the end!
9th December
Passarrellla chose an unchanged starting line-up from the winning one of Thursday, for the game against Roma at the Tardini this afternoon. We were 1-0 up (Di Vaio early in the game) - but we went and lost again. 1-2. Who scored Roma's winner? Diego Fuser! The slide continues.
Strong rumours of Pablo Angel joining Parma from Villa; why would he want to??
UEFA Cup draw is on Wednesday.
6th December
(13.30 ish) Wow - we are TERRIBLE - much worse than I thought we might be even!! We even lost against Messina in the Copa Italia (but went through on gd)!! AND we were 2-0 up at Udine, but still managed to lose 3-2??? What on earth is going on there??? I must admit to my first interest of the season though, as the threat of relegation looms large!
We kick off against Brondby (2nd leg UEFA) at 16.30 GMT - so will be back after that some time!!
(Later!)
I read in a book once, that the Danes are so lawabiding, that their most virulent crime is bike theft. Wo betide then, the man who encroached onto the pitch near the end of the game and toyed with the ball around the goalmouth - but still couldn't score, even though Frey was keeping a sheepish distance!!! He will probably be headline news and the three coppers who bundled him off the pitch will probably make him a nice cuppa and take him home to bed. That same book also declares that the Danes are so full of joie de vivre that they "practically sweat it". Not tonight, they weren't!!
The game was all over by 57 minutes, when Nakata scored our 2nd goal of the tie. Brondby wouldn't have scored 3 goals in (erm) 33 minutes, even if they were given a 2 goal start!!! That 2nd goal, like our 1st, was somewhat fortuitous, in that it rebounded back and forth from one to the other, never rebounding off a Brondby onto a Brondby, but back to a Parma to have another shot at it!! (The first goal had been from a goalie deflection, straight back into the path of Mboma, after he (M) had bundled in a wickedly scuffed miss-kick (goalie really should've caught that with comfort)). We scored a third, near time. Our best goal of the evening - a free-kick from Di Vaio, into the penalty area, with Lamouchi running in - and "ding" a sweet little shot to the right hand corner. So 3-0 (4-1 on aggregate) an easy stroll, it would seem - but no, not really.
We were pretty poor again - it's just that Brondby were poorer than us. Di Vaio, even by his standard, was woeful - he can hardly seem to be able to perform simple tasks. I despair (as always) as to the purpose of Falsini - and wonder, when on earth Nakata is going to get that smirk off his face, for sure as heck he does nothing to feel smirky about. Cannavaro was a rock, as usual - and the Tanzi's must be licking their lips in anticipation at the fee they're going to get for him at the end of the season. Mboma works very hard; give him that - but he's kind of lummoxy. All in all, far from a convincing display - but enough to get into that draw tomorrow(?).
Whatever must it be like to be a Brondby supporter??
( bent my na l bac and t's far, far too pa nful to cut r ght now. See f you can f gure out wh ch f nger t s!!!!!! :))
22nd November
Parma v Brondby (1st leg)
Still trying to figure out what that was I just "watched" through scramble-vision, thick Italian fog - and whilst munching quiche with carrot and nut salad (and chips!). An odd one it was. The Danes had obviously decided to take us on Norwegian style, if you see. But that they didn't do very well, as we scored on 2 minutes, I think. They said it was Di Vaio. The Norwegians looked at each other and the Norwegian goalie seemed to think that the 2 or 3 strapping Norwegians in front of him would deal with the dribbling ball, but he missed his "just in case" angles it seems and the ball trickled past him as he made a furious effort to dive in its path!! By 20 minutes, it should've been Parma 8 Brondby 0, so bad were Brondby at their task - alas, our finishing was absurdely awful.
Brondby must've discussed whether or not they were tactically sound at the defensive lark at half time, because they weren't quite as tree-like in the 2nd half. We were just as profligate though. Frey (now grey, I do declare!) made a couple wonderful saves. The game wasn't half bad and, indeed, the "crowd" were making a lot of noise. No change in the scoreline though. Benarrivo hurt his knee. On came Nakata, though saw nothing of him after his introduction. Just a few minutes to go and still 1-0. Was wondering whether that would be enough. Then Milosevic came on to replace Bonazzoli. And I was just wondering why he replaced the gorky Bonazzoli and not the bloody useless Di Viao - and then wondering slightly as to why Junior's arms appeared to be so disproportionately long - when, blow me down, he (Junior) very graphically illustrated an answer to my pondering by stopping a goalbound shot with one of them (arms). Off he went and Brondby (couldn't catch the name) scored from the spot. The 16 visiting fans in the corner went whooping and set off many pink flares and the game ended 1-1. Oops!!
I enjoyed that, though I doubt Passarella did.
Going to make it VERY difficult at Brondby - but, life goes on. Frost forecast tonight; off to bring in the lemon grass.
18th November
We confronted a Juventus with Buffon in goal, but no Thuram (injured). The game finished 3-1, although the score was 1-1 at half-time. Perhaps what swung the game in the 2nd half was the fact that Almeyda was sent off late in the 1st. Eurosport.com describe it thus:
Juventus-Parma 39' : Matias Almeyda! God knows what he was thinking or trying to do. Parma's Argentine international dives onto Davids both feet first and brings him down. He's out of there and rightly so.
Goals: Trezeguet 9' Lamouchi 23' Del Piero 75' Trezeguet 93'
9th November
So, what's been happening? Nothing much, seems!!
We get a 2-1 win against Perugia and leap 3 places in the table. We daintily draw 0-0 in the 2nd leg UEFA with Helskinki and progress to the next round, drawing Brøndby. (I had some correspondence from the webmaster of the unofficial Brøndby site, Blok4, and answered a few million questions, very honestly. Could be an article on there soon - thank goodness it's only in Danish!! Cheers Steen Laursen; nice speaking with you!)
Don't Cry For Me Olivieri?!?!?!? (sorry!) Renzo departed before he was departed. Good idea, Renzo. Carlo Ancelotti was about to rejoin us as coach and then went floating off to Milan instead. Who can blame him? I'm amazed that he even considered going back to the Tardini. So we picked up Passarella!! There was even talk of Ortega returning, but that blew over. (Gotta say, I think we could actually DO with him now!). Should be interesting!
Meanwhile, Chievo march on!
Introducing the new, clean-cut "Johnny Haynes" look
28th October
I'm not sure whether it's been apathy or embarrassment that's kept me from updating this page the last 2 weeks. Anyway, I missed out on congratulating the team on their 1-3 demolition of Utrecht and I also missed commenting on the 1-0 loss to Chievo last week (more on that further on). Today we got a draw 2-2, home to Verona. As it turns out, that's a good result as we were 0-2 down (Frick 19, Mutu 44). "Malesani's revenge"? It seemed that way, but then we came back with Di Vaio on 52 and Bonazzoli on 87. A lucky escape, I would imagine. And probably Malesani *feels* like he got his revenge. 8 points out of 8 games - that's disgraceful.
The boy Frick who scored Verona's first goal against us - well, it was his first goal in Italian footie - and he's from Liechtenstein. Says it all.
I think that perhaps the reason why I *really* didn't comment on our loss to Chievo last week was because I was secretly delighted. Chievo is everything we're not. And can anybody name just one of their players? But what they lack in big names, they obviously make up for in heart and endeavour. To see them sitting, so proudly, on top of Serie A, restores my faith in the sport, sort of. It's fantastic!!
Time for Ulivieri to go. Time for Fabio to go too - he's too good for the team. Falsini played today - and Bolano. WHY for God's sake? Where's Almeyda - having another rest?? Well, it was suggested that the Tanzis wanted to "wind down the club"/"give up", when they sold Thuram and Buffon. Seems they've probably exceeded their wildest dreams - for the job is almost done - and so soon - thanks to lacklustre players who are making a mockery of everything that AC Parma once stood for.
Forza Chievo!
14th October
Frey, Cannavaro, Djetou, Ferrari, Nakata, Falsini, Bolano, Diana, Lamouchi, Bonazzoli, Di Vaio all got together this afternoon to take on the might of Piacenza. No matter how hard I gaze at those names, I just cannot (still) get it into my head that *this* is Parma. Well, they managed a 2-2 draw only. Goals from Di Vaio 39, Djetou 80; Hubner 50, 72. Hopeless. Who's Hubner? Is he that Austrian?? (Called Dario?!?)
Whoa!! Chievo!!!
2nd October
Just a couple things to report (late!). Parma drew 0-0 with Lazio on Sunday evening. Two teams obviously struggling, but a point's a point, I suppose. And we have drawn Dutch side, FC Utrecht in the next round of the UEFA Cup (away: 18th October; home: 1st November). Polish up on your Dutch and check out their Official Site.
27th September
UEFA Cup 1st round, 2nd leg - HJK Helsinki v Parma
Parma won 0-2, a header by Marchionni on the 79th minute and Bonazzoli making sure on 90; giving us a 3-0 aggregate win and into the draw (tomorrow?)
Nothing to report, as the game was not on TV, but Renzo should note the goalscorers. From Eurosport Italia:
46' GOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!! BONAZZOLI. Conclusione di prima a centro area su suggerimento di Nakata che lancia Almeyda sulla fascia sinistra il cross è per Bonazzoli che tira di prima a centro area. Viander non può fare nulla, il pallone è rasoterra ben angolato.
34' GOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MARCHIONNI, il PARMA E' IN VANTAGGIO. Incredibile, calcio dai quaranta metri. A battere è Nakata, il cross è preciso per la testa di Marchionni che infila il pallone nell'angolino basso della porta.
Team: Frey, Ferrari, Cannavaro, Djetou, Nakata, Bolano (booked; Almeyda, 80) Boghossian, Junior, Sartor, Milosevic (Bonazzoli 70), Di Viao (Marchionni 61)
24th September
At last we win our first league game of the season! Parma 1 Brescia 0. Nakata scored on 86th minute. Hardly convincing though, was it??
Heartening to hear Antonio saying that he cannot leave Parma for Boro, as it would break his heart to leave. (A tour of the chimney smokes, did they give you, Beni?!? :)) I wish Renzo would play him. Desire more than makes up for the years.
Rumours of a swap between Micoud and Simone are tasty! Alas, I read that Marco is on his way back to Milan. Can dream though.
See Chievo fly!
20th September
(1st round, 1st leg, UEFA Cup proper - Parma v HJK Helsinki)
What kind of fate is it that makes you a supporter of not one, but two once great; now miserable, clubs??? HJK should've been a walkover, but were anything but. And the game was so BORING! We were (perhaps) fortunate that they didn't scramble the picture (given up obviously on attracting fans to the ground - I counted about 16 at the Tardini) - but, to be perfectly honest, it was more exciting watching my Trend virus scanner going through the files searching for Nimda and I missed the penalty!!! No idea if it *was* a penalty or what - but Savo just scraped the ball past their keeper. It was a bummer too that the game was on at such a ridiculous time (5.30 GMT) - people were coming in from work, wanting food and all that - so could hardly manage to get into it (all these are excuses - the game was just DIRE!). Comments? Not much. Our crossing was appalling (nobody ever looked to see who was there; just hit and hoped), Junior fills me with ?????????? still - as does Bolano. Boghossian is carrying a few too many pounds - and Di Vaio is a total waste of space (and also carries a few too many pounds). Nakata is a primadonna and is too busy executing fancy footwork than considering any promising options/openings. Is Frey afreyed to move his arms away from his sides??? I wonder too what size goals the squad trains with. Their shooting is totally AWFUL! The closest we came to a second goal was from a free-kick from Sensini. 1-0. At home. Could be an early exit.
Will catch up with the league stuff another time - have more pressing things to do right now - like sleep! :))
(With regards to the Nimda virus; do take care; there are sneaky people around [although I suspect they are unwittingly being sneaky; perhaps] I had a virus warning from somebody, followed a few hours later with an email from the same person, which included a url to the darned virus itself, urging all addressees of his email to "go check out the hoax", if that is possible. Download the latest IE from Microsoft - or if you have IE5.1 or 5.5, then download the Service Pack 2, which should stop Outlook Express from automatically launching infected emails.)
| I shall be away for about 10 days from Friday 7th September; I haven't deserted the page! |
26th August
Lecce 1 Parma 1
Chevanton 2'; Di Vaio 71'
Lecce scored the first goal of the afternoon in Serie A!
Parma team was as follows:
Frey, Djetou (booked), Sensini, F Cannavaro (booked), Sartor (Marchionni 66'), Lamouchi (booked), Bolano, Junior, Nakata, Milosevic (Bonazzoli 47' - booked)
Savo must've been good then (or injured) - and quite disturbing to see a midfield line-up which is so poor (on paper). That's all I have to say! Cannot comment other than that, because Channel 4 seems to have dumped their Serie A coverage, in favour of "extended" highlights at midnight. Piffle! So, I shall not be providing much in the way of match comments unless I actually see a match. A so-so start though, I suppose, although I failed to experience any exciting feelings or much interest even over the start of this season. The Juve had a great start, which is no doubt at least part thanks to Gigi and Lil. However, at least we're equal with Lazio! Talking of which .......
Looks like Stumpy's on his way there; all thanks to that naughty book he wrote!! Anyway, he is off to Lazio, which must mean that they've lost hope on Fabio. Nice that MU could only manage a draw this afternoon too (and their equaliser, a last second own goal courtesy of a Villa player) - so they are nowhere near to overtaking the glorious Everton at the top!!
Much, much later (I just happened to be up!) - saw the highlights. Lecce's goals was the result of a real bad blunder from Frey (make no mistake, a real bad blunder) but he made amends later by saving a penalty. Meantime, it was really quite amusing that Rui Costa broke his hand after attempting to elbow somebody - whoops - what goes around, comes around.
24th August
HJK to confront Parma
HJK will play their UEFA Cup first round matches against Italian side AC Parma. Initially, the first leg on September 13th will be played in Italy and the second leg on September 27th in Finland, but the clubs have a chance to reverse the order if necessary, during Friday afternoon.
HJK are now facing a European top side. UEFA Cup champions in seasons 1998-99 and 1994-95, Cup Winners' Cup champions in 1992-93 and European Supercup winners in 1993, the club has steadily stayed among the Italian league top: in the previous four seasons, it has ended up fourth in Serie A.
The Parma squad is loaded with names well-known to football friends. The list includes Brazilian international goalkeeper Claudio Taffarel, Italian international for five years Fabio Cannavaro, French World Cup winner, midfielder Alain Boghossian, Argentinean international since 1996 Matias Almeyda, five-goal-scorer for the Cameroon Olympic Champion team in Sydney Patrick Mboma and the top scorer at Euro 2000, Bosnian Savo Milosevic. Just to name a few.
Tanzi visited the boys after the CL failure (nice of him) - gave them a talking to - and then declared to the pouncing media that "nobody was leaving". OK. Maybe that means no Guardiola then - and that Almeyda will stay. But haven't we heard all this before???
I am wondering if the reason why Fabio didn't swap his shirt on Wednesday, was because it was the last Parma shirt he might wear and therefore wanted to keep it. Just a thought. Lazio sure are stubbornly offering tons of dosh.
23rd August
On 5th April, this year, I wrote this in email to somebody:
"What would it take for you to get keen on Parma again?? Guardiola, me. Class!!"
Looks like this has happened, though certainly too late for me.
(from worldsoccernews.com - i.e. the little news ticker, top right)
Almeyda to Juventus and Guardiola to Parma is finalised
Argentine international Matias Almeyda has played his last game for Parma AC and will join Juventus.
The former SS Lazio midfielder was signed by Parma last year in the transfer which saw the Rome club buy Argentine team mate Hernan Crespo for £32 million.
Parma have accepted Pep Guardiola as part of the deal which sees the highly rated Almeyda move to Turin. Almeyda played last night for Parma in the Champions League as they went out to Lille.
Guardiola's agent Jose Maria Orobitg was in Turin last night for talks with Juventus to finalise the terms of their sending the Spanish play maker to Parma who have led the chase for the former FC Barcelona star.
Parma want Guardiola and have offered him a three year contract whereas Juve were only willing to give the Spanish star a one year deal.
Juventus hope to present both Marcelo Salas and Almeyda - former Lazio team mates - as new signings tomorrow with the new Italian season starting on Sunday.
Guardiola's move to Parma means French international Johan Micoud will want to leave the Italian club after one year with Liverpool interested in him.
And I *really* don't understand why this has happened now. What point? Great, actually to see the back of Almeyda. I like him as a player - but that was when he was with Lazio - it hardly seems he's been with Parma at all. Great to have Guardiola too (if it's true) and great to see the back (at last) of Micoud, whose time at Parma has been anything but inspiring.
Alas, I feel unable to get excited about this now. Too late. The CL draw takes place today sometime (who cares!) and that's brought it home just HOW darned important it is and what chumps Parma are to have missed out.
OK - so I'm a little depressed today - has more to do with mundane life matters (like humid weather, blotchy legs; those kind of things) than with Parma. I don't (actually) care enough about Parma any longer to get depressed about them.
Oh look! Manus is back!! On his site, you will find professional, up-to-date *actual* news - rather than the sporadic biased opinions and slaggings off you will find here!
22nd August
Champions League? Right, you guessed it!
19th August
Parma lost 2-3 at the Nou Camp last night. Our goals from Di Vaio and Cannavaro (figures! :)) It's madness to me to be playing one of these silly high-profile meaningless (but money-grabbing) games when there is such an immensely important game coming up on Wednesday. Perhaps though the team has already given up, as the fans have.
8th August
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 1st LEG (at home) v Lille.
What little there is to say is on here. Read and weep!
1st August
Fixtures are out! (Find them here) We kick off on 26th at Lecce - and finish off on 5th May, home to Venezia. A busy 4-weeks of old boy reunions, between 18th November and 9th December. Who are Chievo?
Poor Savo and his robbery! Not certain what happened - some places you read that 4 men accosted him; some only 2. Some say it was while he was relaxing in his garden - others on the street. ALL had the gun pointed at his head though - and all saw the gold rolex leave his possession.
Laursen loaned to Milan. Hmm.
Oh Chievo are in Verona and have a cute badge
Juventus and Torino to share the Comunale Stadio next season, due to the Stadio del Alpi going up for sale???? Two hideous spectacles got rid of then, Juve (VDS to Fulham - *lol*) Actually, the Stadio del Alpi has a kind of "big tent" appeal - at least from the outside. Ask anybody in town though, where it is and they just shrug their shoulders and convulse into terrifying laughter. Seems that Juventus is to Turin as MU is to Manchester .... Perhaps they should build the new stadium, if there is to be such, at the junction of Via Fiochetto and the Piazza Republicca. Couldn't foul up the traffic any more badly than it is now. Perhaps they could put ramps over it (unfinished ones) - would seem to be a good idea, as that city's sole intent appears to be to frighten the bejeezus out of anybody who has the misfortune to find themselves driving on its streets. ("Where the cars have no breaks and all drivers one arm - welcome to Torino; hope you come to no harm (or not much)")
29th July
| What the!?! |
 |
First they insult us by sneaking out Gigi - and then they give us shirts with "JOY" on them? C'mon - enough's enough! :)
Am hopelessly out of date with the preseason stuff - do apologise. I think we had a triangular tournament this evening - but no news on that (Coppa America is on - half-time - but do we really expect Colombia to concede a goal? Who'll take the pen kicks, if it comes to that?!?) I know that Parma play Tottenham in August sometime and then, after their CL qualifiers, the last preseason match is to be a real glamour thing in the Nou Camp. Don't get lost down Los Ramblos, ragazzi - and keep off the fried breadcrumbs!
(picture pinched from the Official site, of course - no apologies)
24th July
Ooh, it's been an anxious couple of days - but looks like Fabio is staying. Phew! Such a relief - I don't think I could've bared (beared, bore??) it if Fabio had left as well - was getting ready to burn down parmalat if that should've happened. Oh, what the heck anyway
They were willing to let him go after all! It was only that Cragnotti refused to pay out what they asked. Hmm, we have too many French as well - getting like Arsenal - NOT good enough! I bet if we got the striker we so desperately needed, it'd be blasted Wiltord!!! :) Rumours surrounding Fabio also had Lopez linked as a swap. So why don't we buy him? I've read some people say that Lopez is a midfielder and isn't as good as Di Viao. Lopez? Midfielder? Hmm, perhaps for Lazio - and perhaps that's why he hardly impressed. When he was with Valencia he was an out and out striker - quick and skillful and bright. We need somebody like that. (And Di Viao isn't him).
And it looks like Laursen's going! What - so quick - before he'd even arrived?? Oh, not to worry - we have Junior on his way back from the Coppa .............
22nd July
Seriously NASTY rumours
It appears (if I have this right) that Lazio, having spent out so much money on Mendieta, now need to recoup. Their idea to "recoup" is to sell Nesta to Real Madrid, AS SOON AS THEY HAVE BOUGHT FABIO off us. They are offering us money + Baronio + Baby Pip. This cannot be allowed to happen. Yet this was what we all feared. FABIO YOU JUST SIGNED AN EXTENSION!! Who could blame Fabio for leaving ....... but it would be a sad, sad thing if he left too. Ulivieri is touting that Djetou will be his replacement if agreement is reached between Cragnotti, Tanzi and Cannavaro. But Renzo - he was Lilian's replacement wasn't he?????? If we want Inzaghi (and I really and truly do think that we need him), then why don't we just buy him? Why are we just sitting back and letting everybody tear apart our squad?? WHAT ARE THE TANZIS DOING WITH ALL THAT MONEY THEY GOT FOR GIGI AND LIL?!?!
20th July
We draw LILLE in the 3rd round CL qualifiers. Not good, imho - we didn't need French. I don't know anything about Lille (only it's a sprawling city with many, many high rise blocks of flats, en route to Belgium). Find out a little on Le Site Officiel des supporters du LOSC.
The ties will take place (we home first) on 7/8 August and 21/22 August.
The preseason is rumbling along as normal (massive wins against local sides) and, once I get to grips with what might look like being our squad for the coming season, then I might write a little on it! I dunno though, am mightly confused - some very strange names around. Looks like we might've finally captured Djetou from Monaco today (*said* replacement for Thuram) and What Great News that (Captain) Fabio has signed a new contract (despite scares that Lazio were still trying to lure him away).
This is kind of how it stood last week though (thanks to Andy of Tardini Times - ad will follow, laddie! :))
Out: Thuram, Fuser, Buffon, Conceicao, Lassissi
In: Laursen, Nakata, Gurenko, Mangone, Marchionni, Bachini, Frey.
My word!!!
TARDINI TIMESThe fortnightly newsletter for supporters of AC Parma
Available on subscription only from... Subscription Rates 2001-02
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FORZA PARMA |
5th July
WE HAVE GRIT AND PASSION
OUT:
Thuram (Juventus)
Buffon (Juventus)
Fuser (Roma)
Conceicao (Inter)
Amoroso (Borussia Dortmund)
GOING:
Cannavaro (Roma)
and who knows who else!
IN:
Frey (French goalie from Inter)
And others that are too exciting to remember the names of. Oh, Poggi is one!! *lol*
Excuse me if I sound bitter..........
2nd July
"Buffon ''Sono della Juve''
Dall'Australia il portiere della nazionale esce allo scoperto e rivela il suo passaggio in maglia bianconera.
La conferma alle notizie che davano Buffon alla Juventus sono arrivate dal diretto interessato che dall'Australia ha dichiarato: "Sono della Juve, l'affare si è concluso, ormai ne sono certo. Sono molto contento. Ringrazio il presidente Tanzi". Buffon ha firmato un contratto di 6 anni e la Juventus verserà nelle casse del Parma 90 miliardi. "
My initial misery at first reading this, has turned to absolute fury. Thuram was expected - but not this - this is terrible, terrible, terrible. And we've sold ALL our goalkeepers and the farcical transfer coup involving Toldo and Rui Costa is humiliating. Fuser has gone to Roma - will Fabio follow him? Who could blame him?
Despite it's true that players don't make teams, Buffon was the heart and soul of Parma - he was what they were all about. What has possessed Tanzi to sell both him and Thuram to Juventus? Is he shifting the whole parmalat empire to Turin? Perhaps he has an interest in taking over Fiat or something. This absolutely STINKS, and my loyalty to Parma is in real danger of totally disintegrating.
And I lied about Gigi - I'm still very, very miserable. If this is true (and I still have just a little bit of me hoping it's not) then it's a very black day indeed for Parma fans.
25th June
Today I turfed all of last season's stuff out of here (but you can still get to it through here - hope I didn't lose anything! :)). Time to forget about that less-than-special season and concentrate on the one coming up.
Transfers out, to date: Lilian Thuram to Juventus.
Transfers in, to date: None
Rumours include interest in: Signori, Montella, Gomez, Chiesa - also, Nakata and plenty of defenders. I'm only interesed (right now) in whom we might be recruiting as strikers though, as that is where we are most lacking. There are still big rumours of Buffon joining Thuram at Juventus. Hope upon hope that that is not true. Other players said to be on their way out are Conceicao and Almeyda - although news changes daily on these.
Training begins: 9th July
Things to look forward to: The 3rd round Champions League Qualifying draw - no idea when.