Tag: parma

NIGERIA’S Joel Obi has been included in Parma’s squad for today’s Serie A trip to San siro.

The Nigeria international who was formerly a player of Inter Milan will be playing on a familiar ground when Parma tackle AC Milan at the San Siro by 14.00 GMT.

However, the Ducali will be without Walter Gargano and Gabriel Paletta for Milan, while Nicola Pozzi needs knee surgery.

Paletta is ruled out by suspension and has been joined by Gargano, who is out with a muscular problem in his left calf.

There is a far more serious issue for former Sampdoria striker Pozzi, who damaged the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Pozzi will require surgery and the season is now over for him.

Parma squad for Milan: Acquah, Amauri, Bajza, Biabiany, Cassani, Cassano, Cerri, Felipe, Galloppa, Gobbi, Lucarelli, Marchionni, Mirante, Molinaro, Munari, Nyantakyi, Obi, Palladino, Parolo, Pavarini, Rossini, Sall, Schelotto

Serie A side Parma on Sunday secured their second win of the season but the modest

Italian outfit attained the feat without the help of their Nigerian midfielder Joel Obi.

Obi, who made some ‘improvement’ by making the team list, was left to watch all 90 minutes of the tie which went down at the Stadio Ennio Tardini.

Sunday’s game was somewhat ill tempered as both the home and visiting teams saw red as the four yellow cards also issued.

It was Raffaele Palladino who opened scoring in Sunday’s duel as he put the home team ahead in the 36th minute but the visitors fought back and restored parity just

before going for the break.

Things started tight in the second half as Prama had to wait till the 70th minute

when Aleandro Rosi restored the lead.

Antonio Cassano finished the day’s splendid display when he sealed victory in the

76th minute after previously providing the assist for the two earlier goals.

Nigerian midfielder Joel Obi will be at the centre of coach Roberto Donadoni’s strategic readjustments at FC Parma.

According to reports on Italian daily Correira dello Sport, Donadoni is working on a new playing module that will enable him field his best available players, with Obi identified as one of the key players in the coach’s plan.

The former Italian national team coach is experimenting with three formations; 3-5-2, 4-4-3 and the 3-4-2-1 which will see former Juventus striker Amauri lead the attack, with support from the likes of Stefano Chuka Okaka.

While in midfield, Obi and Uruguayan midfielder Walter Gargano formerly of Napoli have been identified as the key players around whom the team will be built.

Although neither Obi nor Gargano featured in the club’s 3-1 friendly win over Ajaccio on Friday, they are expected to be available for selection in Parma’s Serie A game against AS Roma on September 16.

Obi was signed on loan from Inter Milan on transfer deadline day, and is currently undergoing an intensive training regime, that will speed up his match fitness.

Parma have reportedly reached an agreement with their Serie A counterparts Inter Milan over the signature of Nigeria international Joel Obi.

ParmaLive.com says negotiations between both parties are at an advanced stage and Inter Milan are working hard to buy another midfielder before the club sanction the departure of Joel Obi.

Joel Obi, 22, has fallen down the pecking order at the Nerazzurri and might be open to a move to increase his chances of playing first team football.

Since making his debut for Inter back in 2010, the Super Eagles midfielder has chalked up 39 appearances in Italy’s top division.