PARMA vs ROMA 0-1 | HIGHLIGHTS | Soulé Bags the Win for Roma | Serie A 2024/25

A magnificent Matias Soulé free kick proved to be the decisive moment as Roma secured a third consecutive Serie A away victory, adding to Parma's deepening crisis in the relegation zone. The match, filled with tension, controversy, and moments of brilliance, underscored the starkly contrasting trajectories of the two teams. While Roma continued their push for European qualification, Parma found themselves further mired in the battle for survival, their plight exacerbated by a red card that tilted the scales in the visitors' favor.

The Giallorossi entered the match still reeling from their contentious Europa League play-off draw with FC Porto just days earlier, a fixture that saw star forward Paulo Dybala sustain a knee injury. Coach Daniele De Rossi had to manage his squad carefully, rotating players to keep them fresh for the crucial second leg. The absence of Devyne Rensch due to injury and the suspension of Bryan Cristante meant that Lucas Gourna-Douath and Assane Sala-Eddine were drafted into the starting lineup.

Parma, on the other hand, had slumped into the relegation zone after a dismal run of form, securing just one win and two draws in their last ten outings. Injuries had also ravaged their squad, with key players such as Milan Djuric, Valentin Mihaila, Gabriel Charpentier, Adrian Benedyczak, Mateusz Kowalski, Alessandro Circati, and Yordan Osorio all unavailable for selection. Faced with a must-win game at home, coach Fabio Pecchia knew that his side needed a near-perfect performance to stand a chance against a determined Roma outfit.

From the onset, Parma showed urgency, trying to capitalize on their home advantage. Gianluca Mancini had to be alert early on, making a crucial intervention to prevent Ange-Yoan Bonny from tapping in Matteo Cancellieri's low cross from the left. The same player then managed to get a shot off after a powerful solo run by Cancellieri, but his effort only found the side netting. Parma's pressing game and direct attacks looked promising in the initial stages, but Roma soon settled into their rhythm, dictating play through the midfield and probing the home side’s defensive setup.

Roma's first meaningful chance came around the half-hour mark when Matias Soulé latched onto an incisive through ball from Eldor Shomurodov, only to be tripped just outside the penalty area. Initially, the referee pointed to the spot, believing the foul occurred inside the box, but after a VAR review, the decision was overturned. Instead of a penalty, a free kick was awarded just outside the area, and to compound Parma’s misery, Giovanni Leoni was shown a straight red card for the last-man challenge.

With Parma reduced to ten men, Roma seized the opportunity, and Soulé stepped up to take the resultant free kick. The Argentine displayed exquisite technique, bending the ball over the wall and dipping it just in time to find the near top corner. It was a goal of pure artistry, a moment of individual brilliance that underscored why Roma had been so keen to secure his services. The precision, power, and placement left Zion Suzuki, Parma’s goalkeeper, rooted to the spot as the net rippled behind him. Roma celebrated, knowing they now had a numerical advantage to exploit.

The hosts, down a man and a goal behind, tried to regroup, but Roma kept pushing forward with controlled possession and quick transitions. The second half began with Roma seeking to extend their lead, and they nearly did when Soulé fired in an angled drive that Suzuki initially parried. The ball spilled to Salah-Eddine, whose follow-up seemed destined to cross the line, but Suzuki somehow clawed it away at the last moment. Goal-line technology confirmed that the entire ball had not crossed, keeping Parma’s hopes alive, if only just.

Roma continued to apply pressure. Lorenzo Pellegrini, always a threat from midfield, unleashed a powerful daisy-cutter that Suzuki did well to fingertip around the post. Soulé remained at the heart of Roma’s attacking endeavors, narrowly missing the target with a curling left-footed effort. Shomurodov, too, had a chance to double the lead when he connected with a cross from substitute Angelino, but his header failed to hit the target.

Parma’s rare opportunities to threaten an equalizer were squandered. Simon Sohm had the best chance for the hosts, finding himself in a promising position only to balloon his effort well over the crossbar. It was emblematic of Parma’s struggles—promising approach play undone by poor execution in the final third.

As the match wore on, Roma managed the game professionally, dictating the tempo and ensuring that Parma never found the rhythm to mount a serious comeback. Their passing was crisp, their defensive shape well-organized, and their ability to slow down the game when necessary demonstrated their growing maturity under De Rossi. The manager’s tactical awareness ensured that even as his side pressed forward in search of a second goal, they never left themselves vulnerable at the back.

In the closing moments, Parma’s frustration became evident. Their players resorted to niggling fouls, desperate to disrupt Roma’s flow, but the visitors remained composed. The final whistle brought relief for Roma and despair for Parma, whose situation in the relegation zone had now become even more precarious.

For Roma, the victory extended their strong away form, a third successive win on their travels in Serie A. More importantly, it reinforced their ambitions for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification. Matias Soulé’s performance, in particular, stood out—not only for his stunning free kick but also for his overall influence on the game. He was instrumental in linking play, drawing fouls, and constantly probing the opposition defense.

Parma, on the other hand, faced an uphill battle. With injuries already depleting their squad and morale at a low point, Pecchia had to find a way to rally his team. The loss of Leoni to suspension for their next fixture added to their woes, and unless they discovered a way to turn their fortunes around quickly, the specter of relegation loomed larger than ever.

As Roma looked ahead to their crucial Europa League second-leg clash against Porto, they carried momentum and confidence, knowing they could navigate tough away fixtures successfully. Parma, however, faced a period of deep introspection. They had to regroup, rediscover their belief, and, most importantly, start collecting points before it was too late.