Parma 1 : 2 Cesena - Parma lose basement battle

Posted Monday, January 26, 2015 by PA

A late goal from substitute Alejandro Rodriguez allowed Cesena to halt an 18-match winless run in Serie A with a 2-1 triumph over fellow strugglers Parma.

The game at Stadio Ennio Tardini looked to be heading for a draw after Emmanuel Cascione's own goal with 14 minutes remaining cancelled out Nico Pulzetti's opener.

However, Rodriguez came to the rescue for the visitors, scoring the winner one minute from time to hand Cesena their first win since the opening day.

The victory, Cesena's first on the road, has lifted the Seahorses above Parma and into 19th place, where they are seven points adrift of safety.

Parma, meanwhile, have suffered their fourth defeat in their last five league games.

Both teams went into the contest in desperate need of a victory having mustered only nine points apiece from 19 games.

The visitors started brightly and had the first chance in the ninth minute.

Milan Djuric's right-footed effort from the centre of the area was kept out by Antonio Mirante.

The Parma keeper was called on again six minutes later as he made a save to repel Luigi Giorgi's bullet strike.

Cesena went in front shortly after when Gregoire Defrel set up Pulzetti in the box and his diagonal shot from 12 yards beat Mirante.

Parma struggled to break through Cesena's well-organised defence and were limited to shooting from distance.

Midway through the first half, Francesco Lodi's long-range attempt went over the bar.

Parma should have pulled level before half-time but Andrea Costa's close-range header from Raffaele Palladino's corner went over the bar.

The home side showed more intent after the interval and almost equalised in the 51st minute but Cristian Rodriguez's right-footed volley was met by a fine save from Cesena goalkeeper Nicola Leali.

Cesena shot themselves on the foot shortly after when a misunderstanding between Cascione and Leali gifted Parma the equaliser.

A disastrous back-pass from Cascione stunned Leali and hit the back of the net.

The visitors never gave up hope and were suitably rewarded at the death when Rodriguez drilled a right-footed shot from the heart of the area past a helpless Mirante.