Parma deny Lazio victory

Balde Keita made his entrance into Serie A with a goal but it was only enough for Lazio to draw 1-1 at Parma.

Balde Keita made his entrance into Serie A with an inspiring performance, and a goal, although it was not enough for Lazio to take all three points as they recorded a 1-1 draw at Parma. The 18-year-old gave the Biancoceleste the lead early in the second half after tearing the Parma defence apart in the first 45 minutes, but an equaliser from Alessandro Lucarelli soon after earned the home team a point. The point may not be enough for Lazio's under-pressure coach Vladimir Petkovic, however, with his side still languishing behind the top six. Hernanes was back in the Lazio starting XI, but it was Keita grabbing all of the attention for an inspired performance. He had the first shot of the game in the 24th minute when he cut in onto his left foot and sent in a low shot which was saved by Antonio Mirante. Keita was dangerous again with a header from seven yards out which went just wide of the far post. The Spanish forward then won a corner as he continued to cause problems to the Parma defence, who were forced to focus their attentions more on him than Miroslav Klose. Five minutes into the second half, Keita got the reward for his efforts with his first goal in Serie A. Antonio Candreva raced at least 50 yards of the field before passing on the baton inside the penalty area, Keita doing the rest, skipping past one defender and Mirante before stroking the ball coolly into the unguarded goal. Suddenly, Parma burst into life with Antonio Cassano beating Diego Novaretti and trying to place his shot past Federico Marchetti, but also missing the far post. Nicola Sansone headed over as Parma responded well to falling behind - getting their reward with an equaliser in the 64th minute. Sansone slipped as he took a corner from the left, but the ball still reached the near post, and the head of Lucarelle, who glanced the ball past Marchetti to bring Parma level. It was Lazio's turn to respond and Candreva obliged with a free-kick which was parried wide. Keita by this time had run out of energy, and Lazio consequently lost their inspiration, having to settle for a draw which may not be enough for Petkovic to keep his job.