Duo seek European boost

With the UEFA Cup set to resume after its winter break, uefa.com looks at the form of the 32 clubs involved in first-leg ties this week.

Parma FC v VfB Stuttgart
Although they improved after Pietro Carmignani replaced Silvio Baldini at the helm in December, Parma have experienced a drop in form of late and are once again embroiled in a fight to avoid relegation from Serie A. Their 2-1 defeat at ACF Fiorentina on Sunday left them in 18th place, and they face a hugely important match against fellow strugglers Brescia Calcio next weekend. Carmignani began his reign with a 3-2 UEFA Cup victory against Besiktas JK which saw Parma finish third in Group B to seal a berth in the Round of 32. Although 2004 ended with a disappointing 5-1 defeat by AS Roma, the Gialloblù have shown signs of improvement with draws against Serie A leaders Juventus FC and FC Internazionale Milano.

The new coach made a number of personnel changes during the winter transfer window, with Alessandro Budel, Ianis Zicu, Alessandro Rosina and Gaetano Grieo among those to depart the Ennio Tardini. In came striker Fabio Vignaroli and veteran goalkeeper Luca Bucci, while left-back Stefano Bettarini has returned following a five-month suspension for his part in a match-fixing syndicate. Parma have also been lifted by the form of Italy forward Alberto Gilardino, who took his goal tally to 12 this season with a late strike against Fiorentina.

Players registered: Stefano Bettarini, Luca Bucci, Fabio Vignaroli, Daniele Dessena (B list).
Players out: Gianluca Berti, Massimo Maccarone, Alessandro Budel, Alessandro Di Potenza, Daniele Degano, Ianis Zicu, Gaetano Grieco, Alessandro Rosina.

After winning UEFA Cup Group G, Stuttgart went into the winter break on a high, only to suffer some disappointing results during a training camp in Marbella, Spain. That was compounded by a setback to striker Marco Streller, who needed further surgery on his broken leg, while left-back Philipp Lahm suffered a stress fracture to his right leg. With the transfer deadline getting closer, Stuttgart let Emanuel Adrian Centurión return to his native Argentina to rejoin CA Vélez Sarsfield on loan and also lent Hakan Yakin to Galatasaray SK.

Brazilian midfield player Elson was the only new face brought in for an undisclosed fee from Palmeiras FC. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand has extended his contract until 2007. But like Parma, their opponents on Wednesday, Stuttgart's recent form has been poor, and like the Italian side they have taken just one point from their last three matches. When the Bundesliga resumed, Stuttgart won 3-2 at 1. FSV Mainz 05 before disappointing their home fans in the following two matches as they were beaten 4-2 by 1. FC Nürnberg and held to a 1-1 draw by 1. FC Kaiserlautern. On Saturday they lost 2-1 to Hamburger SV and have slipped to fifth place.

Players registered: Elson Falcao da Silva, Christian Gentner (B list).
Players out: Hakan Yakin, Emanuel Adrian Centurión.