Parma 2 : 2 Fiorentina - Giovinco rescues Parma a point

Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 by PA

Sebastian Giovinco earned and converted a late penalty to hand Parma a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw with Fiorentina.

The visitors looked to be heading for their second win on the road this season when they led 2-1 five just minutes from time but Fiorentina's Mattia Cassani held Giovinco in the area and the referee immediately blew his whistle and pointed to the spot.

Stefano Okaka had scored the first goal of the game for the hosts in the 28th minute but Fiorentina's Matja Nastasic equalised on the hour mark.

After substitute Alessio Cerci put the visitors ahead, the penalty saved Parma.

The result has lifted Fiorentina to 12th place while Parma have climbed to 16th, four points clear of the drop zone.

The game was supposed to have been played last month but was postponed due to bad weather in Parma.

The home side had the first chance in the 26th minute when Okaka's left-footed strike from 13 yards was kept out by Fiorentina goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

Parma then took the lead. Giovinco fed Okaka, who beat the offside trap and his first attempt on goal was kept out by Boruc - but he pounced on the rebound and hit the ball into the back of the net.

Fiorentina twice had the chance to level the score before the interval.

In the 32nd minute, Cassani found Manuel Pasqual in the area and his goalbound strike went wide.

On the stroke of half-time, Michele Camporese got his head behind Juan Vargas' free-kick only for his effort to go over the bar.

Fiorentina picked up where they left off after the restart and were rewarded on the hour as Nastasic headed Vargas' curled free-kick past Parma goalkeeper Antonio Mirante.

Fiorentina went in front in the 71st minute when Pasqual fed Cerci in the box and his left-footed attempt beat Mirante.

Parma pushed forward in search of the equaliser and ended up earning a penalty.

With three minutes remaining, Giovinco made no mistake, striking the spot-kick towards the right with Boruc diving the other way.