Parma secured a crucial 1-0 victory over struggling Pisa at the Stadio Ennio Tardini, with substitute Nesta Elphege scoring the decisive goal in the 82nd minute to boost their Serie A survival hopes.
Parma entered the match in 14th place with 39 points from 33 games, while Pisa arrived in desperate form at the bottom of the table with just 18 points. The visitors had won only twice all season and needed points badly. Parma, meanwhile, looked to build on their recent win after a difficult run of results.
The opening stages saw both teams probe for weaknesses. Parma controlled possession with 51% of the ball and created the first real chances. The home side pressed high and looked dangerous on the break throughout the first 45 minutes.
Pisa's discipline wavered early. Simone Canestrelli received a yellow card in the 18th minute for a rash challenge. The visitors struggled to string passes together and conceded numerous fouls as they chased the game.
Parma's attacking play improved as the half wore on. They registered five shots on target by the break, though none found the back of the net. The expected goals data favored Parma at 0.79 to 0.64, reflecting their dominance in the opening period.
Pisa's Ismail Vural picked up a second yellow for the visitors in the 44th minute, leaving them with work to do in the second half. The first 45 minutes ended goalless despite Parma's territorial advantage and shooting opportunities.
The second half saw Parma continue their attacking approach. They maintained their intensity and kept Pisa pinned back for long periods. Pisa's goalkeeper made four saves to keep the scores level, showing resilience despite their league position.
The breakthrough finally came in the 82nd minute when Elphege, brought on as a substitute, struck decisively. The forward made an immediate impact with a clinical finish to give Parma the lead. Elphege's goal proved to be the match-winner in a tense finale.
Parma's Abdoulaye Ndiaye received a yellow card in the 89th minute as tensions rose in the closing stages. Pisa pressed for an equalizer but could not find a way through Parma's defense. Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki made three crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet.
The statistics told the story of a dominant home performance. Parma completed 333 of 377 passes with 86% accuracy. They attempted 15 total shots compared to Pisa's 12, with an expected goals advantage of 1.57 to 1.28.
This victory moves Parma to 42 points with three games remaining. Pisa's defeat leaves them rooted to the bottom with just 18 points. The gap between the teams now stands at 24 points, with Pisa's survival hopes growing increasingly slim.
Parma host their next opponent on May 3rd, looking to build momentum. Pisa must regroup quickly as they face an uphill battle against relegation.
