Parma Calcio secured a much-needed 2-0 victory against Bologna FC at the Ennio Tardini Stadium on February 22, 2025, marking Cristian Chivu's debut as head coach for the Ducali. The win is significant for Parma, who had been struggling with poor form, and it came through goals from Ange-Yoan Bonny and Simon Sohm.
Having faced four consecutive losses, with the last being against AS Roma, Parma entered the match desperate for points as they sat precariously at the 18th position on the Serie A table. This game presented a pivotal opportunity to rise from the relegation zone, boosted by the fresh tactics of their new manager Chivu. Meanwhile, Bologna had been riding high, carrying an unbeaten streak of seven matches, and pushing for European qualification.
The first half was charged with intensity as Parma displayed aggression and ambition. Early on, they pressed Bologna’s defense, though initial efforts led to only half-chances. The tension escalated four minutes after kick-off when Parma's Adrian Bernabé limped off with a thigh injury, replaced by Nahuel Estevez—indicative of the injury woes plaguing the squad.
A breakthrough came when Parma was awarded a penalty after Ange-Yoan Bonny’s shot was adjudged to have struck Sam Beukema’s hand. Bonny, stepping up to take the penalty, converted successfully, marking his first goal since November 9. This goal invigorated the home fans and shifted the momentum firmly in Parma's favor.
Parma's resilience continued as they maintained pressure on Bologna, who struggled to find their rhythm. The visitors attempted to respond, with their most dangerous chance coming just before the half-time whistle when Dan Ndoye's header was acrobatically saved by Parma's goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, ensuring Parma led at the break.
The second half saw Bologna attempting to rally. Riccardo Orsolini, coming off the bench, almost found the back of the net but his powerful shot sailed narrowly over the crossbar. Bologna sought to capitalize on any lapses from Parma, pushing for equalizers but continuously falling short.
Parma struck again just before the 80-minute mark when Dennis Man intercepted a poor pass from Bologna's midfield. He swiftly set up Simon Sohm, whose low shot from the edge of the penalty area beat Lukasz Skorupski, doubling Parma's lead and effectively sealing the match.
Lukasz Skorupski, Bologna's goalkeeper, expressed disappointment, stating, "We need to learn from this and come back stronger." Contrarily, Chivu expressed satisfaction with his team's adaptation and fight spirit, which was desperately needed during this challenging period.
This victory certainly breathes new life and confidence for Parma as they look to claw their way out of the relegation battle. Commenting on his first game, Chivu noted, "I was happy with how the team responded, and this is just the beginning for us. We must build on this performance and aim for consistency moving forward."
Following this match, Parma's situation still demands caution as they have several key players on the injury list—highlighting the importance of depth and strategy moving forward. They will need to continue rallying around Chivu’s leadership as they aim to recover from their tumultuous start to the season.