A second-half strike from Elphege secures a crucial win for Parma, who withstand late Udinese pressure to claim all three points at the Bluenergy Stadium.
Parma pulled off an important 1-0 away victory over Udinese on Matchday 33, thanks to a decisive goal from Ange-Yoan Bonny Elphege, ending the hosts’ three-game unbeaten run.
The Friulian side dominated possession for long stretches but were ultimately undone by Parma’s defensive solidity and clinical finishing.
Tight First Half, Few Clear Chances
The match started with Parma looking the more dangerous side, nearly taking the lead early on when Alessandro Circati headed just over from a corner.
Udinese responded through Nicolò Zaniolo, who cut inside from the left but dragged his effort wide. Despite both teams trying to build attacking momentum, chances remained scarce, with defenses largely in control.
Udinese gradually took control of possession, but Parma stayed compact and organized. The best late opportunity of the half came from a set piece, with Jurgen Ekkelenkamp testing the defense and a potential follow-up scrambled away under a cloud of offside suspicion.
Elphege Strikes, Parma Hold Firm
Udinese came out aggressively after the break, but it was Parma who struck first in the 51st minute. Elphege showed strength and composure at the edge of the box, holding off Christian Kabasele before beating Maduka Okoye in a one-on-one situation.
Buoyed by the goal, Parma nearly doubled their lead shortly after, with Gabriel Strefezza forcing a save from Okoye.
Udinese pushed hard for an equalizer, highlighted by a brilliant solo run from Florian Thauvin Atta—though the final shot lacked precision.
Udinese Pressure, Parma Resist
The hosts increased the pressure as the second half progressed. Elphege nearly grabbed a second goal following a goalkeeping error, but failed to capitalize.
Udinese’s best chance came around the hour mark: Oumar Solet initiated a strong attacking move before Mamadou Gueye headed against the crossbar, with Zaniolo unable to convert the rebound.
In the closing stages, Udinese laid siege to Parma’s box, with multiple aerial threats and long-range efforts, but the visitors held firm.
A last-minute diagonal strike from Zaniolo was deflected wide, summing up a frustrating afternoon for the home side.
Match Report
Udinese 0-1 Parma
Goal: 51’ Elphege
Udinese (3-4-2-1): Okoye; Kristensen (76’ Mlacic), Kabasele, Solet; Ehizibue (73’ Zarraga), Karlstrom, Piotrowski (64’ Gueye), Kamara (64’ Arizala); Atta, Ekkelenkamp (73’ Buksa); Zaniolo.
Head Coach: Kosta Runjaić
Parma (3-5-2): Suzuki; Circati, Troilo, Ndiaye (74’ Britschgi); Delprato, Bernabé (65’ Ondrejka), Keita, Nicolussi Caviglia (72’ Estevez), Valeri; Pellegrino (46’ Elphege), Strefezza (65’ Ordonez).
Head Coach: Martín Cuesta
Referee: Di Marco
Yellow Cards: Zaniolo, Karlstrom
Red Cards: None
