Parma set up Juventus showdown
Thursday, February 7, 2002
Article summary
Parma AC beat Brescia Calcio 3-2 on aggregate to reach the Coppa Italia final.
Article body
Parma AC survived the sending-off of Fabio Cannavaro to overcome Brescia Calcio 3-2 on aggregate in their Coppa Italia semi-final despite losing Thursday's second leg 2-1.
Game came alive
After an uneventful first half, the game came alive four minutes after the interval when Japanese international Hidetoshi Nakata beat a handful of Brescia players before laying the ball off for Emiliano Bonazzoli to score from ten metres.
Enormous character
Brescia showed enormous character not to let the opening goal, which left them trailing 3-0 on aggregate, dent their confidence and their task was made easier when Parma captain Cannavaro was dismissed midway through the second half. Three minutes after receiving his first yellow card for a poor challenge, the Italy defender was handed his marching orders for tripping Igli Tare in the penalty area.
Concerted pressure
Federico Giunti scored from the spot to bring Brescia level on the night. Four minutes later, Mario Salgado latched on to a pass from Roberto Guana and fired the ball into the top of the Parma net to give Brescia the lead. Despite concerted pressure, however, the hosts were unable to break down the visitors' defence again, leaving Parma to face Juventus FC, conquerors of Milan AC on Wednesday, in the two-legged final.
