Parma 1-1 Cagliari – Honours even as Oristanio cancels out Folorunsho

Parma’s run of consecutive victories was brought to an end this evening by a brave Cagliari side who gave Carlos Cuesta’s side a taste of their own medicine – although, the hosts did manage to salvage a point with seven minutes to play when Gaetano Oristanio scored to equalise after Michael Folorunsho’s opener.

It was a frustrating night for Parma, who had arrived at this fixture on the back of their stunning win against Milan at San Siro and will have harboured genuine ambitions of extending their winning streak. Cagliari, though, had other ideas, and produced a disciplined and determined display that deserved at least a share of the spoils.

The opening half was an evenly contested affair, with both sides creating half-chances without either goalkeeper being truly tested. Mateo Pellegrino was lively throughout for Parma, forcing Elia Caprile into a fine save in the 39th minute with a sharp effort from inside the box, while Cagliari’s Marco Palestra and Sebastiano Esposito both threatened on the counter without making the breakthrough.

Parma 1-1 Cagliari – Second half flurry sees Folorunsho & Oristanio get on the scoresheet

Cuesta rang the changes at half-time, introducing Gaetano Oristanio and Hans Nicolussi Caviglia in an attempt to shift the momentum, but it was Cagliari who struck first.

In the 63rd minute, substitute Michael Folorunsho, who had only entered the field two minutes earlier, produced a moment of genuine quality, receiving the ball outside the box and unleashing a thunderous strike into the top left corner that gave Edoardo Corvi absolutely no chance. It was a goal worthy of winning any game.

Parma pushed for an equaliser and were rewarded in the 83rd minute when Oristanio pounced on a loose ball inside the box to fire low into the bottom left corner, sparking jubilant scenes from the home fans.

Both sides pressed for a winner in the closing stages, with further injuries to Esposito and Emanuele Valeri adding to the disruption, but neither could find the decisive moment.

A point apiece, then, and while Parma will reflect on a missed opportunity, Cagliari will take enormous encouragement from a performance that showed real character away from home.