Serie A | Gameweek 27

Mar 1, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

Dacia Arena

Udinese vs Parma

Match preview

Despite ultimately securing a 1-0 victory away at the Stadio Via del Mare, Udinese's Friday night encounter made headlines for all the wrong reasons. During the first half, star striker Lorenzo Lucca defied the wishes of his teammates by refusing to let designated penalty taker Florian Thauvin step up to the spot.

The Italy international blatantly ignored the extended pleas and heated arguments from his colleagues, among them Thauvin himself and the vastly experienced forward Alexis Sanchez. Nevertheless, Lucca did manage to convert the penalty. After scoring, he chose to celebrate the goal in isolation, further highlighting the on - field discord.

The extraordinary scenes then continued, as Lucca was soon substituted by enraged boss Kosta Runjaic, and - like the recent, but slightly different, "Gian Piero Gasperini versus Ademola Lookman" situation - the fall-out has gone on for several days.

Nevertheless, Udinese is currently on a four - game unbeaten streak. They achieved a victory over Venezia, drew with Napoli when the latter were league leaders at the time, and then won their last two matches without conceding a single goal.

Consequently, the Friulani (Udinese) have secured a place in the top half of the table. This ensures they will not repeat the struggle for survival that characterized last season. Now, they can focus on ending Runjaic's first year in charge on a positive note.

This week, Udinese aims to record three consecutive Serie A home wins for the first time since September 2022 by completing a double over Parma.

After suffering a 3 - 2 home defeat to Udinese in September, during which Mandela Keita was sent off and they squandered a two - goal lead, Parma has found it difficult to accumulate points. As a result, they recently decided to part ways with promotion - winning coach Fabio Pecchia.

After a string of four consecutive losses, new manager Cristian Chivu made an instant impression last weekend. His team triumphed in the Emilian derby against Bologna, with Ange - Yoan Bonny and Simon Sohm scoring in each half.

Throughout Parma's entire history, no manager has ever won their first two Serie A matches. However, Chivu will attempt to achieve this feat on Saturday, as Parma also strives for its first back - to - back league wins of the season.

Currently sitting 17th in the Serie A standings, just two points above third - bottom Empoli, Parma still has a great deal of work ahead to secure a second consecutive year in Italy's top division.

Former Inter Milan defender Chivu, who has previously coached in youth football, has been entrusted with keeping the Crociati (Parma) afloat. Starting with a win over European contenders and recording Parma's third clean sheet of the season indicates that he might be up to the task.

Recent Performance

Udinese Serie A form:LLWDWW

Parma Serie A form:DLLLLW

Team News

Udinese faces a goalkeeping conundrum this weekend as they've lost both Razvan Sava and Maduka Okoye to injury. As a result, they must rely on their 39 - year - old third - choice goalkeeper, Daniele Padelli, to step in.

The hosts will also be missing long - term absentee Isaak Toure. However, head coach Kosta Runjaic has no other fitness worries.

After making a public apology and reconciling with Runjaic, Lorenzo Lucca will aim to add to his 10 - goal haul in Serie A this season. He might also look to register his first assist of the campaign.

On the other hand, Parma boss Cristian Chivu intends to maintain the same tactical setup as he used on his debut. His side will line up in a 4 - 3 - 3 formation, led by French striker Ange - Yoan Bonny.

Bonny, who had endured a barren spell of 10 consecutive games without any goal involvement, has finally found his form. He has been directly involved in two goals in his last three appearances.

The visitors, Parma, are still hampered by a lengthy injury list. Adrian Benedyczak, Yordan Osorio, Milan Djuric, Alessandro Vogliacco, Adrian Bernabe, Hernani and Valentin Mihaila are all sidelined. Additionally, Alessandro Circati, Mateusz Kowalski and Gabriel Charpentier have been ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Amidst the gloom, there is some rare positive news for Chivu. Teenage centre - back Giovanni Leoni is available for selection after serving a suspension.

Possible starting lineup

Udinese possible starting lineup:

Padelli; Kristensen, Bijol, Solet, Kamara; Thauvin, Lovric, Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp; Sanchez, Lucca

Parma possible starting lineup:

Suzuki; Del Prato, Valenti, Balogh, Valeri; Keita, Estevez, Sohm; Man, Bonny, Cancellieri