Roma travelled to the Stadio Ennio Tardini this evening looking to maintain their 100% start to Serie A against Parma.
The Giallrossi started slowly and fell behind just before the break thanks to a header from Jonathan Biabiany, but Parma were unable to make their advantage count.
Alessandro Florenzi started a rousing Roma response in the second half by lashing home on 47 minutes, before late goals from Francesco Totti and Kevin Strootman completed the turnaround.
Look back at how Rudi Garcia made it three wins from three as Roma boss with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute text commentary below.
Evening Calcio fans. Thanks for joining Sports Mole as a packed round three from Serie A concludes tonight at the Ennio Tardini, with Parma taking on European contenders and early pacesetters Roma.
Roma are yet again adjusting to life under a new coach this season, as the revolving managerial door at the Olimpico shows no sign of shutting. Former Lille boss Rudi Garcia is the man charged with bringing some much-needed stability this season, but has got off to a superb start with two successive wins in Serie A.
Garcia has made wholesale changes at the Giallorossi during the close-season, with Marquinhos and Erik Lamela leaving to raise well over £50m in transfer funds. The Frenchman has spent most of that cash on new faces with a mix of youth and experience, including Adem Ljajic, Gervinho and Maicon.
The challenge for Roma this year is to match their potential to consistency, which will not be easy after a summer of upheaval. They have made a very solid start though, with a 2-0 win at Livorno followed up by an encouraging 3-0 home success against Hellas Verona. Parma should offer much sterner opposition tonight though, with the pressure on to deliver for both sides!
Parma have endured a difficult start to the campaign, with just a point to show from Serie A fixtures against Chievo and Udinese. Roberto Donadoni's men have struggled for cutting edge early in the campaign, which is surprising considering they have Antonio Cassano leading a new-look forward line alongside Amauri. Their record against Roma at the Tardini is strong though, so let's see if they can raise their game this evening!
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! We have just received word on tonight starting lineups which feature a single change for Roma, with Ljajic replacing Gervinho for his first Giallorossi start. A full look at both teams will follow in just a few moments.
PARMA: Mirante, Cassani, Felipe, Lucarelli, Biabiany, Gargano, Marchionni, Parolo, Gobbi, Cassano, Amauri
ROMA: De Sanctis, Maicon, Benatia, Castan, Balzaretti, Pjanic, De Rossi, Strootman, Florenzi, Totti, Ljajić
Just the single change from Garcia tonight then, which is hardly a surprise given the strong start in Serie A. Ljajic scored an absolute beauty after coming off the bench against Verona before the international break, which proved enough to take Gervinho's place in a three-man strikeforce. Francesco Totti will play through the middle, with Alessandro Florenzi on the other flank.
Roma's midfield trio is definitely their strength this evening, particularly when you consider Michael Bradley is unavailable through injury. Miralem Pjanic will operate in an advanced position just ahead of Daniele De Rossi and Kevin Strootman, while Maicon also keeps his place at full-back.
Parma have made two changes to the side that folded 3-1 at Udinese before the international break. Walter Gargano and Marco Marchionni have come in for Gianni Munari and Jaime Valdes, with the Uruguayan midfielder brought in as a midfield enforcer to combat Pjanic's threat.
The hosts desperately need Cassano and Amauri to click in attack, with just goal in their first two games a glaring problem. Jonathan Biabany has the pace and vision to provide a regular supply out wide, but can either of the veteran forward's capitalise? Just under five minutes until we find out!
PREDICTION! With both teams due out imminently at the Tardini there is just time for me to predict an entertaining clash, with the congested midfield battle all important. Roma should control possession but I think both sides will score in a 1-1 draw, with Cassano capable of making an impact this evening.
Totti and Lucarelli have exchanged pre-match pleasantries and we are just about ready to get underway at the Tardini, with proceedings just delayed slightly by a minutes silence.
Roma get us underway shooting from left to right, with Balzaretti choosing to keep the ball deep early on.
Parma get their first sight of possession as Parolo's attempted flick to Cassano drifts out of play. Roma are quick to take advantage and break as Totti frees Ljajic out wide, but his cutback to Stroorman is intercepted by Biabiany.
Totti is very fortunate to win a free kick for handball against Parolo, who forced the mistake with a speculative flick into the air. The veteran lines up the free kick around 25 yards from goal but scuffs a disappointing low effort straight through to Mirante, after catching the turf.
Parma get numbers forward and use quick movement to find Cassano in space just outside the penalty area. The forward has options but elects to drive from distance, getting too much power behind a strike which clears the crossbar and is always rising. Positive early signs from both sides.
Biabiany shows Balzaretti a clean pair of heels down the right to send a curling cross into the penalty area, which Castan clears under pressure from Amauri. That could be an avenue for Parma to exploit consistently this evening.
Biabiany is involved again as he attempts to meet an inviting cross form Gobbi into the six-yard box, but cannot stretch far enough to make contact as Balzaretti helps clear. Parma are just starting to dictate in possession, but Parolo ends that spell with a speculative effort well wide of the target.
De Rossi wins back possession in central midfield with an astute interception, but a clever flick forward for Ljajic just fails to reach its intended target. Early on midfield has been very congested, with both sides looking most threatening when switching the play quickly down the flanks as Maicon overlaps for the visitors.
The referee just decides to have a word with Castan after his second foul in as many minutes, a trip on Cassano. He escapes a caution though, with a stern warning deemed punishment enough.
Much more like from Roma as Pjanic dummies to free Totti outside the area. The veteran needs no second invitation to strike at goal, sending a fierce drive towards the bottom corner which required a strong save from Mirante.
MISS! Maicon continues his run forward and gets the ball back in a neat exchange with Totti. The full-back has time to pick his spot from a tight angle but opts for power rather than placement, with his drive missing the near post by a couple of yards. That effort had to across the goalkeeper, a chance wasted for the visitors.
Pjanic shows some frustration by smashing over from all of 35 yards. The Bosnian has been crowded out in midfield so far and needs to get closer to Totti in attack to have a positive impact on the match.
MISS! Somehow Biabiany has just volleyed over from eight yards. The midfielder was given at least two yards of space after losing his marker from a corner kick, but was caught off balance and could only hack over the crossbar. Felipe was free just behind him and cannot believe his teammate has spurned that chance from close range!
Roma show some pace and purpose for the first time in a swift counter, with Strootman driving forward before finding Ljajic. The winger cuts inside and attempts to pick out a late forward run from Totti at the far post, but Lucarelli reads the danger and turns behind for a corner kick.
Ljajic drives out wide as Roma come forward in numbers, with Strootman's eventual cross hacked away by Gobbi. Parma win back possession and attack as Cassano finds Amauri, but the Brazilian is forced off the ball by a strong challenge from Benatia.
Gargano and Cassano probe just outside the penalty area but a wall of Roma defenders make finding an intricate through ball near impossible. Eventually Cassano flicks towards Amauri, but a combination of Castan and Strootman are able to avert danger for the visitors.
The first sign of Amauri's ability to threaten direct for Parma, as he controls a flick header before firing at goal. His strike from 25 yards has venom and needs a strong save from De Sanctis, who dives low to his left and claims with authority.
GOAL! Parma 1-0 Roma (Biabiany)
After squandering an earlier chance Biabiany breaks the deadlock with a fantastic header. The Frenchman generated plenty of power at the near post after meeting Cassani's curling cross, beating De Sanctis at his near post to score Parma's first home goal of the season. Advantage to Donadoni's side!
YELLOW CARD! Lucarelli has to be very careful with a furious protest after being cautioned for a late challenge on Totti. The defender goes face-to-face with the official and screams in his face, before being led away by Cassano. Not what Parma need after just taking the lead!
Biabiany is running riot out wide and strides past Balzaretti again. His flash across goal is in search of Amauri, who just fails to make contact at the far post. Roma need the half-time whistle to come and quickly.
HALF-TIME Parma 1-0 Roma
With no added time Parma take a one-goal lead into the interval at the Tardini, with Biabiany breaking the deadlock. The former French youth international has been by far the brightest player on show this evening, with a powerful header placed inside the near post to show for his efforts.
Roma will be bitterly disappointed to concede before the break, with a goal given away for the first time this season. Garcia's experienced midfield has failed to stamp their authority on a congested area, with De Rossi and Pjanic very quiet.
The visitors were able to create one clear-cut opportunity in a tight first half, with Maicon wasting the chance as he flashed wide from close range. A three-man forward line of Totti, Florenzi and Ljajic has been largely ineffective, bar a few bright bursts down the wing from the Serbian youngster.
BENCH WATCH! If Roma find a response problematic after the break Garcia has plenty of attacking options in reserve. Gervinho and Marco Borriello stand out among his list of subs, while Brazilian youngster Marquinho could provide pace out wide.
Tactically Donadoni has got his approach spot on this evening, with a five-man midfield largley shutting down Roma's arsenal of creative players. Biabiany has broke with pace and purpose every time he's given space out wide, while Cassano has shown craft to drop off and make things happen from deep. More of the same and Parma could secure their first win of the campaign tonight!
Back underway at the Tardini and almost immediately Roma win a free kick around 30 yards from goal. Totti swings the ball into a packed penalty area but Parma are able to clear at the second time of asking.
GOAL! Parma 1-1 Roma (Florenzi)
It looks like Garcia's team-talk had the desired effort as Roma equalise less than two minutes into the second period. Pjanic started the move with a brilliant flick over the top to Florenzi. The midfielder absolutely lashes a stinging drive towards goal that flies inside the near post before Mirante can move. Game on at the Tardini!
YELLOW CARD! This game has really come to life as Cassano gets a free kick for a late lunge, with his fate sealed by sarcastic applause from the referee. Parma then break as Marchionni strikes from just inside the box, with his effort deflecting off Amauri and just past the post.
SUBSTITUTION: Garcia makes a change in attack as Ljajic sees a frustrating evening come to an early end. The winger is replaced by Gervinho, who gets a chance to impress in a match which suddenly looks wide open.
Pjanic needs treatment after a 50/50 challenge with Marchionni as both men attempted to meet a loose ball. Play carried on for some time while the Bosnian stays down, with Parma eventually allowing the playmaker to receive treatment.
Pjanic is fine to continue and soon forced to help out in defence when he comes back on, with Balzaretti just doing enough to prevent Biabiany controlling inside the penalty area. Maicon and Florenzi then attempt to combine at the other end for Roma, with high feet from Pjanic ending a break from the visitors.
Gervinho gets involved down the left but fails to spot a break inside from Balzaretti, who had room inside the penalty area. Barely time to pause for breath here as both sides press for a winner, with Totti helping Roma keep possession for a spell as he drops deeper to control.
Florenzi is furious after being caught out wide, but Roma play on and once again Gervinho fails to pick out Pjanic in the penalty area. The Giallorossi are starting to find space in the final third, but can they take advantage?
De Sanctis comes for Cassani's deep cross to the back post and fails to gather, but luckily for the Roma goalkeeper Maicon stays with the runner and has enough time to head behind for a corner kick.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Both sides make positive changes as we head into the final 20 minutes. Parma have swapped Amauri for Okaka in attack, while Roma introduce Marquinho in place of the goalscorer Florenzi out wide.
GOAL! Parma 1-2 Roma (Totti)
Totti has just ruthlessly exposed Parma's offside trap to put Roma ahead. The veteran ghosted in behind with Gobbi keeping him onside after switching off at full-back. After controlling Strootman's chip over the top Totti had time to look up, pick his spot and find the bottom corner. What a turnaround at the Tardini!
SUBSTITUTION: Roma decide to bring on fresh legs to hold the ball up in attack, with the goalscorer Totti replaced by Borriello. The captain looks less than impressed with being replaced but with the Rome derby looming large next weekend the swap is far from surprising.
SUBSTITUTION: After fading in the second half Biabiany is replaced for Parma, with Italian youth international Nicola Sansone given just over 10 minutes to make his mark and help the hosts respond.
Castan has just come close to exploiting a poor piece of goalkeeping from Mirante. The stopper can only fumble a low free-kick aimed towards the near post, but on the follow-up the Brazilian defender smashes wide. What a chance to put the result beyond doubt.
Okaka's deflected drive loops up and behind for a corner kick. Parma take the set piece short as Cassano catches Roma by surprise, floating a cross into the penalty area which goes inches beyond the far post.
PENALTY TO ROMA! Gervinho breaks clear alone and isolates Cassani, driving to the byline before going down under a desperate late lunge. The referee has no choice but to point to the spot, giving Roma a chance to wrap up the match.
GOAL! Parma 1-3 Roma (Strootman)
Strootman takes just two steps in his run-up before blasting down the middle, beating Mirante's desperate dive with a powerful penalty. The Dutchman's first Serie A goal should finish this match as a contest and allow Roma to maintain their 100% start to the season.
Gervinho continues a strong impact from the bench, drawing a foul to win a free kick just outside the penalty area. With Totti off Pjajic steps up to take, forcing a comfortable save from Mirante at his near post.
SUBSTITUTION: A final change from Donadoni as Mesbah comes on to replace Gobbi for the hosts, with Cassano floating a dangerous cross into the penalty area just before that. We will have three minutes of added time.
Balzaretti gets enough on a deflected clearance as Roma see out the final few moments, but is caught late by Gargano for his troubles. That will be a caution for the midfielder late on his debut and it is well deserved.
FULL-TIME Parma 1-3 Roma
Well a rousing second-half response from Roma has allowed Rudi Garcia to maintain his 100% start to the campaign, with Parma still searching for their first win of the season after suffering successive 3-1 defeats. Totti, Strootman and Florenzi did the damage for the visitors, who are now joint-top of Serie A with Napoli after three games.
That will just about do it for Sports Mole Serie A coverage from the Tardini. Thanks for joining us and be sure to stay in touch all week as out attention turns to the Champions League. Goodnight!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
