10-man Parma fall at Catania

Catania made it another trip to Sicily to forget for 10-man Parma as they recorded a 2-0 victory.

Catania made it another trip to Sicily to forget for 10-man Parma as goals from Alejandro Gomez and Gonzalo Bergessio sealed a comfortable 2-0 victory. Without a competitive win at the Stadio Angelo Massimino in their history, Parma were always facing an uphill battle to register their first win in five Serie A outings. And they were stopped from doing so as early as the second minute when Gomez converted the first of endless counter-attacks from the Elefanti. Yohan Benalouane's impetuous behaviour summed up an ill-disciplined display from Parma, who picked up seven yellow cards in total, and his late dismissal allowed Bergessio extra space and time to tap in a decisive second goal. Catania were ahead inside 80 seconds, Gomez streaking onto a splendid through-ball from Pablo Barrientos to beat Antonio Mirante. Marco Parolo fluffed his lines when presented with a chance to equalise by Jonathan Biabany, before Catania launched another quick break. Mirante was alert to block Barrientos' header following Gomez's surge into space and by now Parma were seriously struggling to keep their opponents at bay. Nevertheless, Donadoni's men had their chances and were unlucky not to get back into the game in the 32nd minute. Francesco Lodi dithered in possession, Alessandro Lucarelli snatching the ball off his feet only to see Amauri head his pinpoint cross just wide of the target. Bergessio was denied as Gabriel Paletta scraped his goalbound shot off the line following the restart, but Parma soon entered self-destruct mode. Benalouane might have been forgiven for accidentally kicking Barrientos in the head as he attempted an audacious bicycle kick, but referee Giampaolo Calvarese thought differently. Mirante raced back to tip Sergio Almiron's ambitious effort over the bar, but the Crociati's luck finally ran out in the 69th minute. A moment of madness saw Benalouane receive his marching orders for angrily raising his hand to Gomez. Tempers continued to flare and Barrientos kicked a water bottle after being substituted for Marco Biagianti. But he stood up and applauded from the dug-out as Bergessio tapped Mariano Izco's cool delivery into an empty net with 10 minutes left on the clock. And a bedraggled Parma were spared further misery three minutes into stoppage time as Bergessio's second was flagged offside.