A thoroughly excellent season will culminate in a final nervy matchday for Roberto Donadoni's Parma. Some recent patchy form has meant they head into their game at home to Livorno on Sunday needing to better Torino's result against Fiorentina, and hoping that AC Milan or Hellas Verona don't better theirs. In short, anything other than a win would make stealing sixth place rather unlikely.
Parma vs. Livorno, Preview: Will the crociati snatch the final European spot?
Relegated Livorno will look to crush Parma’s European dream away at the Ennio Tardini on Sunday.
Fortunately, though they’re on a bad run of form at the moment -- winning only two of their last ten in Serie A -- their final day opponents are bottom club Livorno. Their relegation fate has already been sealed, and they now have nothing other than pride to play for -- though, given they’ve not won in a couple of months, there’s not even much of that at stake here.
Parma head into the game facing some troubles in defence, with the suspensions of Alessandro Lucarelli and Felipe dal Belo possibly set to force Donadoni into playing full-back Massimo Gobbi alongside Gabriel Paletta in the middle of the back four. Rotation players Jherson Vergara and Nicola Pozzi are both still injured.
Livorno aren't without their share of injury troubles either, with Andrea Luci, Ibrahima Mbaye, Innocent Emeghara and Leandro Greco all unavailable. Paolo Castellini, Marco Benassi and Miguel Borja's suspensions could force coach Davide Nicola into playing something of a makeshift 11.
Parma injuries and suspensions
Out: Jherson Vergara, Nicola Pozzi (injured); Alessandro Lucarelli, Felipe dal Belo (suspended). In doubt: None.
Livorno injuries and suspensions
Out: Andrea Luci, Ibrahima Mbaye, Innocent Emeghara, Leandro Greco (injured); Paolo Castellini, Marco Benassi, Miguel Borja (suspended). In doubt: None.
Projected lineups:
Parma: Antonio Mirante; Cristian Molinaro, Massimo Gobbi, Gabriel Paletta, Mattia Cassani; Marco Parolo, Walter Gargano, Afriyie Acquah; Antonio Cassano, Amauri, Ezequiel Schelotto.
Livorno: Francesco Bardi; Djamel Mesbah, Emerson, Leandro Rinaudo, Federico Ceccherini; Alfred Duncan, Jonny Mosquera, Marco Biagianti; Ishak Belfodil, Paulinho, Luca Siligardi.
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Stadio Ennio Tardini, Parma, Italy
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