Siena vs Parma preview - Youngsters deserve chance - Donadoni

Posted Sunday, April 07, 2013 by PA

Parma head coach Roberto Donadoni may give his young stars another chance to show what they can do against Siena, but that should not mean there is nothing left to play for.

With the Gialloblu 3-0 up and cruising against bottom side Pescara last weekend, Donadoni withdrew Amauri for 16-year-old striker Alberto Cerri before testing midfielder Filippo Boniperti, 21, for the final five minutes.

The young duo could now travel to the Stadio Artemio Franchi and vie for starting berths given the absence of Raffaelle Palladino, Mariga McDonald, Andrea Coda and Djamel Mesbah through injury.

But Donadoni insists their inclusion would not mean Parma have settled for mid-table obscurity, especially given Siena's determination to leave the relegation zone.

He told his club's official website: "I don't think that young players should only be involved if their team is out of danger.

"If a young player has potential then he will show it in a team that is fighting for good results, as we need to do until the end of the season.

"If young players feature then I think it is because they deserve it and because they have the quality, not because I think there is nothing to play for. I don't think that is the right attitude."

The Crociati have stabilised after a poor run of results by claiming back-to-back home wins, the latest earned through goals from Yohan Benalouane, Gabriel Paletta and Amauri.

"Winning on Saturday was important and it was great to get two goals from defenders," Donadoni added.

"We need to see that desire from everybody to score and make assists to help win matches. Every match will be difficult, though.

"Next we face an opponent who will most certainly be determined to pick up some points. We need to make it difficult for them, knowing that from both a physical and mental point of view it will be very tough."

Siena, meanwhile, were thwarted in their bid to leave the bottom three as 17th-placed Genoa rallied to secure a 2-2 draw last time out.

Head coach Giuseppe Iachini said: "We are working hard on organisation and teamwork because that's the only way we'll be able to climb the table.

"If some individual quality emerges through it all then we'll be really happy."

Defender Felipe dal Belo is suspended but Iachini has no injury concerns.