Parma boost safety hopes with narrow victory over basement side Fiorentina

Oliver Sorensen, left, celebrates his eventual winner for Parma
Oliver Sorensen, left, celebrates his eventual winner for ParmaAlessandro Sabattini / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / Getty Images via AFP

Parma edged out an impotent Fiorentina 1-0 at the Stadio Ennio Tardini, making it four wins in their last seven games across all competitions to provisionally move five points clear of Serie A’s relegation places.

A quiet opening was always expected from two of the league’s poorest this season, but it was the hosts who produced the first clear chance.

That came close to the 40-minute mark, after Mateo Pellegrino nearly finished off a cross, the ball fell to teammate Jacob Ondrejka, who sent his rebound just inches past the post in what was the best chance of the first half, which ended with a whimper and goalless after 45 minutes.

Despite that slow first period, the home side took the initiative and grabbed a lead less than 10 minutes into the second half. A mishit effort from Pellegrino created a great chance for Oliver Sorensen, who netted his first of the season to give his side a precious lead. 

Parma - Fiorentina match stats
Parma - Fiorentina match statsOpta by StatsPerform

In their efforts to find a way back into the match, Fiorentina went close in the 69th minute, as Moise Kean threatened to create an equaliser, only for his finish to prove substandard after a brilliant solo effort. Another chance then came just a few minutes later, as Niccolo Fortini failed to find the target as his effort was well blocked. 

With a few smaller efforts from Parma keeping the pressure on, it was Fiorentina who passed up a glorious opportunity.

Albert Gudmundsson’s cross perhaps should have been finished by Roberto Piccoli, but the forward failed to find the target from six yards out in what was a glaring opportunity. 

Gudmundsson himself then tested Edoardo Corvi with a shot from distance late on, but Paolo Vanoli’s side fell to another disappointing result. 

Though they are still far from certain safety, Parma will take great confidence from a third win in five league games. As for Fiorentina, a match against Cremonese in the New Year could put them within a point of safety, but time is undoubtedly running out for the two-time UEFA Conference League finalists in a crisis-riddled season.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Oliver Sorensen (Parma

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