PARMA, ITALY — Survival was the word echoing through Ennio Tardini as 17th-placed Parma, clinging to safety with 14 points, faced rock-bottom Fiorentina, desperate to escape the relegation zone with just six points from 15 matches. In a match where statistics told one story and the scoreboard another, Parma secured a vital 1-0 victory that defied the overwhelming dominance of their visitors.
Oliver Sørensen emerged as the unlikely hero three minutes into the second half, rising majestically in the centre of the box to power a header into the bottom left corner. Mateo Pellegrino's perfectly weighted cross found the Danish midfielder unmarked, and his clinical finish sent the home faithful into raptures. The goal came against the flow of play, with Fiorentina having peppered the Parma goal throughout the opening 45 minutes, but it was the hosts who struck when it mattered most.
The decisive moment sparked renewed urgency from Fiorentina, who launched wave after wave of attacks in search of an equalizer. Moise Kean came agonizingly close in the 69th minute, blazing a right-footed effort high and wide from the right side of the box during a dangerous counterattack. Albert Gudmundsson, Fiorentina's creative spark, repeatedly tested Parma's resolve, forcing Edoardo Corvi into a spectacular 90th-minute save from distance. The Icelandic playmaker's influence was evident throughout, but the final ball consistently eluded his teammates.
The tactical battle showcased contrasting philosophies. Fiorentina controlled 58.4% possession, pinning Parma back for long stretches, while the hosts sat deep and looked to exploit spaces on the break. Mandela Keita and Adrián Bernabé worked tirelessly in midfield for Parma, disrupting Fiorentina's rhythm with intelligent positioning. Alessandro Circati marshalled the defensive line superbly, winning crucial aerial duels against Kean's physical presence. But it was Corvi who truly stood out, producing four vital saves to keep Fiorentina at bay.
The statistics painted a picture of complete Fiorentina dominance. The visitors launched 23 shots at goal compared to Parma's 13, yet managed just four on target—a damning indictment of their wastefulness in front of goal. Despite 13 attempts, Parma managed just two on target, but their clinical efficiency in the decisive moment proved the difference. Niccolò Fagioli and Cher Ndour controlled the midfield tempo for Fiorentina, yet their side's inability to convert possession into goals left them empty-handed.
The turning point arrived in the 90th minute when Corvi produced a moment of brilliance, diving low to his left to deny Gudmundsson's curling effort. That save, coupled with Marin Pongračić's yellow card for a desperate foul moments later, summed up Fiorentina's frustrating afternoon. The visitors threw everything forward during 10 minutes of stoppage time, but Parma's defensive resolve held firm. Benjamín Cremaschi and Milan Djurić were introduced late to help see out the victory, adding fresh legs to protect the slender advantage.
Looking ahead, Parma will travel to face Sassuolo on January 3, while Fiorentina host Cremonese on January 4.