Genoa 2 : 2 Parma - Drama at Genoa

Posted Saturday, February 25, 2012 by PA

Rodrigo Palacio scored a stoppage-time equaliser for Genoa and Parma's Alessandro Lucarelli was dismissed in a dramatic finale to mid-table Serie A clash which ended 2-2.

Genoa had lost their last three league games without scoring a goal, going down to Catania, Atalanta and Chievo, so when they trailed 2-0 to strikes from Massimo Gobbi and Sergio Floccari it again looked bleak for them.

But Genoa had hope when Palacio tucked in the rebound after his 78th-minute penalty was saved, and the Argentinian forward was on hand in the sixth minute of stoppage time to convert a pass from Cristobal Jorquera.

Lucarelli lost his cool, insisting there was an offside, and took his protests so far that he was ordered off.

Genoa have the leakiest defence of all in Italy's top flight, and with star striker Alberto Gilardino out with a calf injury the omens were not good for them heading into the tussle at the Luigi Ferraris stadium.

Parma made their visit on the back of a 1-0 defeat at Roma that ended their five-game unbeaten run.

The first chance fell Genoa's way, as Fernando Belluschi, on loan from Porto, shot well wide.

Parma were more efficient, and took the lead in the seventh minute when Gobbi shot from just outside the penalty area and found the bottom right corner.

Bosko Jankovic thrashed three shots wide from long range in a 15-minute spell as Genoa struggled to break down the Parma backline.

Parma's Sebastian Giovinco was a likelier scorer from his shot from outside the Genoa 18-yard box, at least forcing Sebastien Frey, playing against his old club, to make a save.

Palacio had his first notable involvement shortly before the interval when his right-footed strike towards the bottom left corner was well kept out by Antonio Mirante.

Frey saved again from Giovinco early in the second half but could do nothing when Floccari rolled a shot past him to double Parma's lead.

Juraj Kucka had a header well saved as Genoa pushed for a leveller, and they were then handed a penalty when Francesco Modesto handled the ball.

Palacio saw Mirante keep out his strike from 12 yards but the ball came out kindly for the taker who scored into the bottom right corner.

Belluschi wasted an opening as he slashed well wide, while Jonathan Biabiany sent a shot too high and Palacio did the same.

Parma seemed set to hang on, but then came the drama as Jorquera's fine pass set up Palacio for the equaliser, which was the cue for Lucarelli to see red.