Bologna vs Parma preview - Parma hitting the right notes
Posted Sunday, May 08, 2011 by PA
Parma have hit form at just the right time and go into the match at Bologna knowing that victory would ensure them of Serie A football next season.
Last weekend's 3-1 triumph over Palermo was their third successive triumph and saw the Ducale club climb to 13th in the standings.
"In the crucial stage of the season we are proving to our fans that we are a good team," said Parma defender Gabriel Paletta.
"We always go out on the pitch with the willingness to win.
"Now we have the upper hand to avoid the drop and it's down to us to defend our Serie A status.
"We must win our next game at Bologna."
The enthusiasm in the Parma camp is understandable as not so long ago they looked to be heading straight to the second division.
However, since Franco Colomba took over last month, the Gialloblu have turned their fortunes around.
Wins against Inter Milan, Udinese and Palermo have placed Parma on track to defend their top flight status.
But Paletta is aware his team still have a lot of work to do as they are six points clear of the drop zone.
"We still have not achieved anything and we need points," he said.
"We must continue to show this positive attitude on the pitch and to remain focused.
"We are getting closer to our aim, which is to avoid the drop and I think if we continue to play as we are doing we will soon celebrate."
Bologna go into Sunday's clash at the Renato Dall' Ara stadium on the back of five straight defeats.
They slipped to a 1-0 loss to AC Milan last weekend which left them three places and five points clear of the drop zone.
"We've endured a poor run but my players showed an improvement against Milan," said Bologna coach Alberto Malesani. "Our fans must be calm because we are ready for the final sprint."
Bologna will be without the services of midfield trio Francesco Della Rocca, Gaby Mudingayi and Massimo Mutarelli who are all suspended.
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