Gilardino plots Sevilla downfall

By Paolo Menicucci

Parma FC's Serie A future may be in doubt, but their 14th consecutive European campaign is going from strength to strength. Inconsistent and unconvincing on the domestic scene, the Gialloblu have been nothing short of brilliant in the UEFA Cup and hope to move one step nearer to lifting the trophy when Sevilla FC visit the Ennio Tardini for the return leg of their last-16 tie tonight.

Gilardino confident
A great defensive performance and the good form of goalkeeper Sébastien Frey helped Parma leave the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán with a precious goalless draw in the first leg. Now Parma striker Alberto Gilardino is confident his side can progress to the quarter-finals.

Spanish strengths
"It will be a tough game because Sevilla are a very good side," the Italian international told uefa.com. "Like every Spanish team they are good at keeping possession but they are also very strong physically. However, we want to qualify and we will give everything to reach the quarter-finals. We can do it."

Sevilla threat
Gilardino did not play in the first leg but the 22-year-old striker saw enough of the Sevilla attackers to cause him concern. "I think that Julio Baptista and Azyza Makukula can be their most dangerous players," he said. "We should be very careful with them."

Players rested
Parma are just three points above the Serie A relegation zone and coach Pietro Carmigani has often rested his best players in UEFA Cup games. However, the Gialloblu still managed to qualify from a difficult group stage and eliminated VfB Stuttgart in the previous round.

Squad rotation
Moreover, the squad rotation policy has given Parma youngsters like Tonino Sorrentino, Francesco Ruopolo, Ibrahima Camara and Daniele Dessena the chance to gain European experience. Gilardino said: "They have all had the chance to play in a prestigious competition and have showed great potential. They have a bright future."

Parma leader
After scoring 23 goals last season, Gilardino has struck 14 in the current Serie A campaign and two in five games for Italy. Despite his tender years, he is one of the most experienced players in the Parma team and is already considered a real leader, an example to follow. "I think that a team like Parma needs everybody to perform at their very best in every game," he said. "There is no difference between players in the squad. We are a very united group and I'm sure this will help us to achieve the results we want."

Faltering form
Unfortunately, Parma have faltered in translating their European brilliance on to the domestic stage. "In Serie A we have troubles earning enough points away from home," the striker explained. "I believe it's mostly psychological but we still have ten matches to play. We will do everything to avoid relegation because this team and this club deserve to pay in Serie A."

European contenders
Since their first Serie A season back in 1990/91, Parma have always qualified for European competitions and they won the UEFA Cup in 1995 and 1999 and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1993. Financial crises may have laid them low more recently, but Gilardino knows they are a special club.

Ideal environment
"We have great training facilities, we have a calm life in town, the club is very positive and competent, the fans are wonderful and patient," he said. "Here there is everything necessary to play well." All these ingredients and a few goals from Gilardino could yet bring the UEFA Cup to Parma for the third time.