Parma boosted their gap above the Serie A relegation zone with a dramatic 2-1 win away at Hellas Verona. It was Parma’s first away victory of the season and it stopped Verona from earning their first league win anywhere this campaign.
Despite being the lowest scorers in the league, Verona started brightly and immediately put pressure on Parma. Gift Orban was especially lively and thought he had given Verona the lead after eight minutes by tapping in Domagoj Bradarić’s cross, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Parma had created very little up to that point, but they made the most of their chance when a long throw was flicked on by Mateo Pellegrino. Oliver Sørensen smashed the ball against the bar, and Pellegrino reacted quickest to head in the rebound.
The rest of the first half was quiet, but Parma came out much stronger after the break. Having conceded exactly twice in six of their last eight away matches, they knew a second goal would be vital. Lorenzo Montipò denied Bradarić with a fine save, and more chances followed. Patrick Cutrone wasted a big opportunity when he took a heavy touch in a one-on-one situation, and Parma were punished when Verona found an equaliser. Daniel Mosquera robbed Mandela Keita, drove into the box and squared the ball to Giovane, who forced it over the line under pressure.
The match opened up after the equaliser, with both sides pushing for a winner. In the end, Parma took the points thanks to a disastrous mistake. Giovane tried to head the ball back to his goalkeeper, but instead sent Pellegrino through on goal. The Argentinian lifted the ball cleverly over Montipò to seal the win. Verona are now without a victory in their opening 12 league games for the third time in their history, and on both previous occasions they were relegated. Parma, meanwhile, celebrated their first win at this stadium since 2001, although they still have a long way to go to match the famous side of that era, which included players like Gianluigi Buffon and Fabio Cannavaro.
