Parma beats Juventus after ten years. Cristi Chivu administers Igor Tudor’s first defeat and the great merit of Parma’s rebirth is mainly of the Romanian coach.
The Crusaders have climbed to six points above the last relegation place, five rounds before the end of Seria A and have the first chance at salvation from a group of seven teams fighting to avoid the last three places that relegate to Serie B.
Chivu has the merit of not “burning” stages in his coaching career. He did not come immediately where it would have been easier for him, in Romania, where he could have coached any team in the Great Circus. He took it from the bottom, from the children’s and junior groups of Inter, where he did an exemplary job. He learned, he experimented, he felt what it was like to grow talents and, at the first opportunity that arose, he took advantage of it. He came with the specific objective of saving Parma. It seems that he is succeeding.
Many saw his arrival as a chance for Man and Mihăilă, but Chivu thought more than he could have felt. He reorganized the team, gave chances to those who are in shape and left the “names” from Pecchia’s tenure on the bench. The proof? Eight matches, two wins, five draws and one defeat, and Parma has risen above the teams they are fighting to avoid relegation.
The only goal of the match that was supposed to be played on Monday (rescheduled due to the death of Pope Francis) was scored by the young Matteo Pellegrino (23 years old), whom Chivu praised at the press conference. Both for the goal and for the exemplary way in which he fulfilled his defensive duties. Also at the conference, Chivu gave the reason why Parma succeeded: it built a spirit of camaraderie! And this was evident at the end of the match, when he congratulated all his players directly on the field.
