With a 4-2 win over Milan, that's 15 games unbeaten for Parma now, and it looks like they're on their way to Europe next season. Meanwhile, AC Milan's nightmare continues with their third loss in a row, pushing the rossoneri closer to the relegation zone than to Europa league spots. What should be most worrying for Milan is the fact that no one is actually surprised by another defeat. It wasn't hard to predict that Milan's defense would have a lot of problems containing Antonio Cassano and Jonathan Biabiany, and in the end, Milan might just be satisfied they didn't concede more.
AC Milan vs. Parma, final score 2-4: Parma continues impressive streak against a poor Milan
10-man Milan fought back from 2-0 to even the scoreline, but Parma soon exerted control once more, extending their unbeaten run to fifteen games.
It didn't take long for things to start going wrong for the rossoneri. Before ten minutes were out, Ezequiel Schelotto launched towards the goal, Christian Abbiati tackled him, the ref pointed to the spot and showed Milan's veteran goalie a red card. Cassano transformed the penalty into 1-0.
It was obvious it would be a long and hard day for Milan. Parma dominated most of the first half. Milan had their best chance when Mario Balotelli's shot hit the post from inside the penalty area. Other than that, Parma didn't have any major problems keeping the hosts far away from their goal, and when they did manage to get close, the crociati defense, led by brilliant Alessandro Lucarelli, would clear the danger immediately. In contrast, Phillippe Mexes had a nightmare of a game, with multiple fouls that deserved at least a yellow card each, as well as almost sending the ball into his own goal after Mattia Cassani's cross in the43rd minute.
Parma doubled their lead shortly after the restart when Cassano grabbed a second. Afriyie Acquah sent his cross in from the right, FantAntonio controlled the ball in the heart of the penalty area, sending it into the bottom right corner of the goal.
Just five minutes later, the rossoneri finally managed to make a mark on the game. Adil Rami, just on for Urby Emanuelson, out-jumped Felipe to head Kaká's cross into the back of the net.
After Rami's goal it was a completely different game. Seedorf knew he had to risk everything, and so he brought on forward Giampaolo Pazzini to replace defender Daniele Bonera. The move forced the crociati to defend very deep, putting them on the back foot.
Which might explain why Joel Obi brought down Riccardo Montolivo inside the area. It was Mario Balotelli, of course, that stepped up, giving Antonio Mirante no chance at keeping his shot out.
For once, rossoneri fans had something to celebrate: Milan climbed back from the abyss, with ten players, against a good Parma side... or at least it seemed that way for a minute. Because it only took about 60 seconds for Parma to retake the lead. The goal again came from the right flank, exposing once again Milan’s weakness in defense. And even worse, they let Amauri score, with a backheel from Schelotto’s cross.
Amauri’s beautiful goal may have come only in the 77th minute, but it pretty much ended the match. Parma, in control once more, refused to let Milan back into the game, instead scoring a fourth themselves. Jonathan Biabiany was all alone inside the penalty area when the ball bounced away from Mexes and Parma’s forward had an easy job of heading the ball into the net.
Milan: Abbiati, Abate, Mexes, Bonera (Pazzini 65’), Emanuelson (Rami 52’), Essien (Amelia 7’), De Jong, Poli, Montolivo, Kakà, Balotelli
Goals: Rami 56’, Balotelli 77’
Red card: Abbiati 9’
Parma: Mirante, Cassani, Felipe, Lucarelli, Molinaro, Acquah (Munari 80'), Marchionni (Obi 72'), Parolo, Biabiany, Cassano (Amauri 63), Schelotto
Goals: Cassano 9’, Cassano 51’, Amauri 78’, Biabiany 95’
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