Rosi nets Parma winner

Alejandro Rosi struck 10 minutes from time to secure Parma a barely-deserved 1-0 win at Cagliari in Serie A.

Alejandro Rosi struck 10 minutes from time to secure Parma a barely-deserved 1-0 win at Cagliari in Serie A. It was the perfect response to coach Roberto Donadoni's plea for his team not to let their season peter out after assuring themselves of top-flight football next season. However, it was Cagliari who had by far the better of the game with the visitors grateful to goalkeeper Antonio Mirante. Victor Ibarbo shot over early on before Parma hit back with Michael Agazzi tipping Marco Parolo's shot over. However, the Sardinian side dominated from then on. Nene fired in a fierce left-footed shot at the far post but Mirante repelled the striker's goalbound effort. The goalkeeper then comfortably saved Thiago Ribeiro's 30-yard shot down to his right before Nene sent his free-kick into Mirante's arms. Ibarbo shot high and wide as the first half ended goalless and the Colombian striker resumed his attack on the Parma goal after the break when his 25-yard effort was well saved by Mirante. Ishak Belfodil had a header blocked for the visitors in a rare attack but normal service was resumed when Ibarbo shot high and Mirante was called upon again when he did well to block Sebastian Eriksson's long-range effort. After all the pressure from the hosts, it was a shock when Parma made the decisive breakthrough 10 minutes from time when Agazzi dived to thwart Amauri's header and midfielder Rosi pounced on the rebound to tap the ball home. The goal knocked the stuffing out of the hosts and they almost conceded again in injury time when Agazzi thwarted Raffaele Palladino's header.