ADRIAN MUTU

Relegation-threatened Parma managed a fighting 2-2 draw with Cesena in the latest round of Italian Serie A fixtures. Parma took the lead through Sergio Floccari in the 40th minute, but they were unable to hold on to the lead for much longer. Cesena came back with a vengeance in the match after they took the lead through goals from Mario Santana and Simone Del Nero. However, the goals from Cesena seemed to wake up the Parma players, as they continued to fight in the relegation battle. Gabriel Paletta finally gave Parma a major advantage in the relegation battle, as he secured the equaliser in the 61st minute.

Cesena managed to control the game from then on, but they were subjected to pressure from Parma at times in the match. However, they managed to survive and come away with the 2-2 draw in the match. This was extremely lucky because Parma struck the woodwork twice in the final few minutes of the match. The first close opportunity for Parma came in the 77th minute when a shot from substitute Francesco Valiani struck the woodwork. Cesena’s relegation from the Italian Serie A seems all but confirmed after they remain without a win in the last 11 games, while they have 14 points to make up in order to get away from the relegation zone.

Parma, meanwhile, were coming into the match after having not won a single match since February 5th. However, this extremely exciting 2-2 draw with Cesena would have given them enough confidence to take in the remainder of the Italian Serie A matches. Despite this extremely poor run of form, Parma remain five points clear of the 17th placed team – Lecce. They have secured just three points in the last five matches in the Italian Serie A.