Overview
After two victories against opponents with only 10 players - both in a form crisis - Parma continued their rise last weekend by defeating a championship contender.
After the breathtaking victories against Bologna and Hellas Verona, Gialloblu faced AC Milan - a team that has not lost in Serie A since August last year. However, Mariano Troilo's late goal - initially disallowed and then recognized by VAR - silenced San Siro and helped Parma create an 8-point gap with the relegation group.
The Emilia region club has won 3 consecutive matches in the national championship since 2014. Under the guidance of young coach Carlos Cuesta, they are taking steady steps on their relegation journey.
It is noteworthy that the away form is better than at home. Cuesta's team actually won more points when away from Tardini than when playing against home fans. However, with the current 12th position - right above the upcoming opponent - Parma is aiming for the goal of winning two consecutive home wins in Serie A for the first time in 6 years.
In the opposite direction, Cagliari entered the match in a worrying context. Including the 2-0 victory in the first leg this season, the Sardinian team has won all three times against Parma since the opponent was promoted in 2024.
However, the current form is not very positive. Cagliari has not scored in the last 3 matches. After a rare streak of 3 wins, they have continuously lost to Roma and Lecce, before drawing 0-0 with Lazio.
In that deadlocked match, Yerry Mina was sent off after two fouls, causing coach Fabio Pisacane to have more headaches about the team's attacking efficiency.
However, Cagliari is still ranked 13th and is in a favorable position to stay in the league for the fourth consecutive season. If they win this week, they will equalize points with Parma and reduce pressure. However, away record is a major barrier when Rossoblu only won 13/39 maximum points when playing away from home this season.
The confrontation at Emilia-Romagna is therefore of great significance to both teams in the relegation battle.
Personnel situation
Parma may welcome the return of key defender Alessandro Circati after suspension. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki has returned to training and is likely to be on the bench.
Because the number one goalkeeper has to rest for a few months due to a serious hand injury, Edoardo Corvi will continue to start. Corvi has made a strong impression in victories against Bologna and AC Milan.
Parma is still missing Abdoulaye N'Diaye, Pontus Almqvist and Matija Frigan. However, key striker Mateo Pellegrino is expected to recover in time and be ready to start.
On Cagliari's side, young talent Semih Kilicsoy is the team's number one scorer in Serie A with 4 goals.
Fabio Pisacane is likely to give Juan Rodriguez a chance to replace Yerry Mina - who is suspended for one match. However, his personnel choices are quite limited.
Luca Mazzitelli had to leave the field before halftime in the match against Lazio due to a calf injury, and is likely to join the absent list including Alessandro Deiola, Gennaro Borrelli, Andrea Belotti, Mattia Felici and Gianluca Gaetano.
With a weak force, Cagliari will have to try very hard if they want to get points against a Parma that is excited.
Expected lineup:
Corvi, Circati, Troilo, Valenti, Del Prato, Bernabe, Keita, Sorensen, Valeri, Strefezza, Pellegrino.
Caprile, Ze Pedro, Rodriguez, Dossena, Obert, Palestra, Adopo, Sulemana, Idrissi, Esposito, Kilicsoy.
The match between Parma and Cagliari takes place at 2:45 am on February 28 (Vietnam time).
