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The first battle for survival in the Italian "Serie A" championship took place on Tuesday - the teams "Parma" and "Bologna" with equal points met in the knockout matches. The first tense meeting was won by "Bologna" with a minimal advantage in the away game, with Albanian Igli Tare scoring the winning goal.
0 - 1
18' [0 - 1] Igli Tare
One of these two teams will play in "Serie B" next season, and this match was special because it was a meeting of two perennial rivals. "Parma" had to play this match without six disqualified players and two injured ones, while "Bologna" was missing only two footballers.
"Bologna" started the match better and scored an important away goal in the 18th minute - after V. Nastase's pass, I. Tare headed the ball into the net and put his team ahead. "Parma" responded with an attack, but goalkeeper G. Pagliuca saved the opponents' attempt, and later, after a corner kick, C. Bovo missed the target.
After playing for half an hour, "Parma" appealed to the referee for a penalty when F. Simplicio fell in the penalty area, but the referee did not dare to take more decisive action. Later, M. Meghni's penalty shot missed the target, and "Parma" managed to stop a dangerous attack by the defender.
The hosts needed to equalize the score, but veteran G. Pagliuca's excellent play prevented them from doing so, although "Bologna" also failed to capitalize on their chances. F. Simplicio fell in the penalty area twice, but the referee did not award a penalty, so tension grew in the stadium.
At the start of the second half, G. Pagliuca once again saved his team by deflecting Simplicio's shot, and in the final minute, nerves got the better of the latter, and he and T. Locatelli started a fight, involving substitute players and coaches.
For this, the referee showed four red cards - one each to team managers P. Carmignani and C. Mazzone, as well as substitutes C. Amoroso and L. Bucci. All of them will miss the return match taking place on June 18.
