Parma claimed a surprise 3-0 victory at Atalanta as Giovanni Fabbian, a Davide Zappacosta own goal and Simone Lontani secured Alberto Gilardino’s first win since taking charge.
The result leaves Atalanta 11th in Serie A with 11 points. Maurizio Sarri’s side have now gone without a home win since beating Venezia on 12 October, while Thursday’s 2-2 draw at Fiorentina had extended their difficult run.
Atalanta were severely weakened by injuries and named only 19 players in their squad. Gianluca Gaetano and Thomas Kristensen joined Raoul Bellanova, Gianluca Scamacca, Giacomo Raspadori, Sead Kolasinac, Franck Kessie, Isak Hien, Odilon Kossounou and Pompei on the sidelines. Giorgio Scalvini returned to the defence.
Parma began the match in the bottom three with five points, having drawn 0-0 with Udinese. Their preparations were disrupted by a muscle problem for Adrian Bernabe in training on Sunday, with Fabbian starting in midfield and Lontani partnering El Bilal Toure in attack.
Atalanta controlled the opening half-hour, enjoying 73% possession, and created several opportunities. Charles De Ketelaere sent an early effort wide before testing Giovanni Daffara at his near post. He later weaved through the Parma defence but narrowly missed the far post.
Ederson also came close with a long-range effort that flew inches wide, while Nikola Krstovic scuffed another attempt past the post.
Parma’s first clear opening came from a set piece, with Enrico Delprato heading wide from Vincent Sierro’s corner. They made the next opportunity count. Sierro delivered another corner in the 41st minute and Fabbian headed in from close range.
Daffara then kept Parma ahead by making an important save from Nicola Zalewski shortly before the interval.
Atalanta’s afternoon worsened two minutes into the second half when Zappacosta stretched to intercept a cross and diverted the ball inside his own left-hand post.
Jonathan Rowe missed two chances to reduce the deficit, before Parma struck again. On 58 minutes, Fabbian set up Lontani, who produced an excellent curling finish from outside the penalty area into the bottom-right corner.
Sarri responded by introducing Eljif Elmas, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Lazar Samardzic and Javison Idele, but Daffara continued to frustrate the hosts. He saved Krstovic’s low drive and then denied the forward’s header. Mario Pasalic also headed against the crossbar from close range.
Krstovic missed another opportunity by drilling wide as Parma preserved their clean sheet.
The official scoring summary was Fabbian 41, Zappacosta own goal 47 and Lontani 58 (P).
The defeat prompted a blunt assessment of Sarri’s side: “Sarri doesn’t know how to defend. No idea why Atalanta hired him. They are totally incompatible. Wolf pack to Tiki Taka?”
