Parma revival continues under Donadoni

06 May 2012 15:47

Parma's revival under former Italy coach Roberto Donadoni continued with a 2-0 victory at Siena on Sunday.

The result kept Parma in with an outside chance of qualifying for next season's Europa League, although to do so they would still require a collapse from either Inter Milan or Lazio.

Diminutive forward Sebastian Giovinco scored the opener with a stunning volley from distance while Sergio Floccari added the second in injury time.

Parma were deep in relegation trouble and hovering just above the drop zone when Donadoni took over in January.

But this success was their sixth in a row and has propelled them from relegation candidates to a possible, although unlikely, place in Europe next season.

Eighth-placed Parma are now level on points with Roma, who drew 2-2 at home to Catania on Saturday.

Both sides trail the Europa League places by two points but have only one game left to play whereas Inter and Lazio, a point further ahead, have a pair of matches left.

Lecce are all but mathematically relegated following their 1-0 home defeat to Fiorentina on Saturday.

La Viola had needed only a point to be mathematically safe whereas Lecce remain three points behind Genoa in the final safety position but have only one match left.

Genoa have two more opportunities, starting away to Udinese later on Sunday, to get the point they need.

The big matches happen on Sunday evening where Inter Milan host AC Milan in their city derby and Juventus travel to Trieste to tackle Cagliari.

Juve lead champions Milan by a point at the top of the table and could secure a record 28th league title if they win and the rossoneri fail to do likewise.

Source: AFP