In a closely contested Serie A match at the Stadio Ennio Tardini, Parma and Empoli played out an entertaining 1-1 draw that left both sides ruing missed opportunities. The result did little to improve either team’s recent poor form, with Parma now having collected just four points from their last seven matches and Empoli suffering their third consecutive game without a win.
The visitors struck first through a well-executed team move. Emmanuel Gyasi latched onto Lorenzo Colombo’s through ball before delivering a low cross that Jacopo Fazzini converted from close range, with Woyo Coulibaly getting the final touch.
Parma pressed hard for an equalizer and came close just before halftime when Matteo Cancellieri’s powerful long-range effort rattled the crossbar. The home side continued to threaten after the break, with Ange-Yoan Bonny and Adrian Bernabé both testing Empoli goalkeeper Devis Vasquez.
The Gialloblu’s persistence finally paid off when substitute Gabriel Charpentier fired home from inside the box after good work from Emanuele Valeri on the left flank. The goal sparked a frantic finale as both teams pushed for a winner.
Parma were handed a golden opportunity to claim all three points when Pontus Almqvist was fouled in the box by Vasquez. However, Bonny failed to capitalize on the resulting penalty, smashing his effort against the crossbar to the dismay of the home supporters.
The draw leaves both sides looking nervously over their shoulders at the relegation zone. Parma and Empoli will need to find some consistency in their performances if they hope to climb the table and secure their Serie A status for next season.
Goals: Coulibaly og 35 (E), Charpentier 80 (P)
Missed penalty: Bonny 83 (P)
Parma (4-2-3-1): Suzuki; Coulibaly, Balogh, Delprato, Valeri; Bernabè (84′ Camara), Hernani (55′ Keita); Man (46′ Charpentier), Sohm, Cancellieri (55′ Almqvist); Bonny (84′ Mihaila).
Empoli (3-4-2-1): Vasquez; Goglichidze, Ismajli, Viti; Gyasi, Grassi (80′ Maleh), Anjorin (69′ Henderson), Pezzella; Fazzini (80′ Haas), Solbakken (88′ Ekong); Colombo (69′ Pellegri).
