Marchionni shines for Parma

Parma AC swept aside Ukraine's FC Metalurh Donetsk to book their place in the second round of the UEFA Cup thanks to a wonderful second-half display from the young Italian side at the Ennio Tardini stadium.

Gilardino double
Alberto Gilardino scored either side of half-time to put the home team in control and Marco Marchionni completed the victory on 73 minutes. It was, however, Metalurh who started the brighter of the two sides and they proceeded to frustrate Parma for the opening 40 minutes, much as they had done in the 1-1 draw these two sides played out in the first leg last month.

Adriano on form
Parma, however, eventually found their rhythm, and the livewire forward Adriano, whose six goals in five Serie A games this season have really caught the eye, was a constant threat to the visiting side’s defence.

Gilardino on target
It was the Brazilian who had come closest to breaking the deadlock for Parma with a free-kick which flew narrowly over the crossbar, before the home side did take the lead on 43 minutes when Marchionni's low cross was thumped in by the Italian Under-21 international Gilardino.

Marchionni the provider
Parma continued from where they had left off in the second half, scoring just two minutes after the restart as their youngsters combined again. This time, Marchionni raced down the right and sent a dangerous cross into the area. Gilardino stole in front of the goalkeeper and swept the ball in from close range.

Marchionni the finisher
Marchionni, one of several young players given a chance by the Parma coach Cesare Prandelli, crowned his fine individual display with a smartly-taken goal in the 73rd minute, firing in after good work from Emanuele Filippini.

Spectacular effort
Parma came close to adding a fourth in the 86th minute through the substitute Benito Carbone, but the former Aston Villa FC striker's spectacular effort rebounded to safety off a post. By then, of course, Parma had already done enough.