An open and entertaining draw at the Mapei Stadium sees Sassuolo and Parma settle for a point apiece, with goals from Thorstvedt and Pellegrino in the first half.
The Emilia derby between Sassuolo and Parma ended all square, a 1-1 draw that reflected the balance of a lively contest played with intensity and ambition by both sides. The Neroverdi were looking to all but secure their Serie A survival, while Parma aimed to build on their recent win over Fiorentina and pull further clear of the relegation zone.
Sassuolo had to deal with a late setback before kickoff, as Volpato was ruled out at the last minute. Alessio Fadera completed the attacking trio alongside Laurienté and Pinamonti, while Doig and Lipani were preferred to Candé and Koné. Parma, missing the flu-stricken Benedyczak, lined up in a 3-5-2 under Cuesta, with Oristanio and Valeri operating as wing-backs and Pellegrino partnering Ondrejka up front.
After a brief feeling-out period, Parma created the first real chance through Pellegrino, whose effort was blocked by Muharemovic in a crowded box. Sassuolo responded decisively in the 12th minute: Walukiewicz surged down the right and whipped in a dangerous cross that Thorstvedt met with a perfectly timed header, beating Corvi to give the hosts the lead.
Parma’s reaction was immediate. After Laurienté tested Corvi with a low shot, the equalizer arrived in the 24th minute following a turnover in Sassuolo’s build-up. Pellegrino collected the ball outside the box and curled a precise right-footed strike beyond Muric, restoring parity with a moment of quality.
The match remained lively after the break. Pellegrino again threatened with a diagonal effort saved by Muric, while Sassuolo went close through Doig, whose right-footed turn rattled the post. As the game wore on, the intensity remained high but clarity in the final third began to fade.
In the final 20 minutes, Muric emerged as Parma’s key figure, denying Almqvist in a one-on-one and later producing a fine save to keep out a header from Estevez. Those proved to be the last clear chances of the match, which ended with both teams taking a point that keeps them moving forward, if without a decisive breakthrough.
Sassuolo now turn their attention to a tough home clash against Juventus, while Parma prepare to host Inter in midweek.
Match Report
Sassuolo 1-1 Parma
Goals:
12’ Thorstvedt (S), 24’ Pellegrino (P)
Sassuolo (4-3-3):
Muric; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Muharemovic, Doig (85’ Candé); Lipani (59’ Koné), Matic, Thorstvedt; Fadera (74’ Cheddira), Pinamonti (85’ Moro), Laurienté (85’ Pierini).
Coach: Grosso.
Parma (3-5-2):
Corvi; Delprato (78’ Britschgi), Circati, Valenti; Oristanio (70’ Almqvist), Keita, Bernabé, Sorensen, Valeri; Ondrejka (69’ Estevez), Pellegrino.
Coach: Cuesta.
Referee: Feliciani
Yellow cards: Matic, Walukiewicz (Sassuolo); Circati (Parma)
Red cards: None
