An inspirational brace from Domenico Morfeo helped Parma to a 3-1 win over Reggina at the weekend. His performance reminded the Gialloblu faithful and the Italian Press that there is more to Parma this season than just the talents of star striker Alberto Gilardino.

The 22-year-old has weighed in with 16 goals this season and before Sunday’s game the Tardini boys had only won once when Gila had failed to score. By a quirk of fate it was also against Reggina in Week 11 that they managed the feat and it again fell to Morfeo to provide the firepower.

In the thirteenth year of his professional career, Morfeo has emerged as a steady performer for Pietro Carmignani’s side. His tally of goals is relatively slim, but then he has never been a prolific scorer from midfield – apart from one crazy season in Bergamo when he reached double figures for the Orobici.

His talent has always been as the creator but his curse has always been inconsistency. After productive spells at Atalanta and Fiorentina a move to Milan beckoned but it was not to be the fairytale he had hoped for. After making just eleven appearances for the Rossoneri he didn’t leave a lasting impression and drifted on to Cagliari and Verona before returning to the San Siro with Inter.

Another unfulfilling year passed by before his summer 2003 transfer to Parma. His arrival in Emilia Romagna coincided with the explosive emergence of Gilardino and the pair complimented each other well. Gila benefited from Morfeo’s creativity and sparks of genius, while the resulting output of 23 goals eased the pressure on the midfielder to finally live up to the billing his undoubted talent deserved.

The 29-year-old’s second season with the Gialloblu has been another disappointing one, with the fear of relegation constantly hanging over the club. However, against Reggina on Sunday Morfeo eased those worries slightly and produced the kind of display that has frustrated and delighted in equal measure throughout his career.

Parma went into the game with a terrible record at Reginna and hovering a single point above the drop zone. With the situation looking grim, Parma suffered an added insult with the injury to Mark Bresciano in the pre-match warm-up. What followed though was almost a one-man show by Morfeo.

After 21 minutes the provider turned recipient as Gilardino threaded him through and with a delightful flick Morfeo took the ball over the goalkeeper before tucking away the opener. It was Morfeo’s creativity on the half hour that nearly furthered the lead as he sent in a pinpoint corner that Renato Olive headed against the frame of the goal.

Five minutes into the second half Morfeo showed his talents at creating his own chances as he waltzed towards goal before driving in a precise shot from the edge of the box. Reggina pulled a goal back from the penalty spot but before the nerves started to set in Morfeo was able to use his influence again to settle the tie. This time it was his pass finding Fabio Simplicio who sealed the victory, Parma’s first away win since the turn of the year.

The impact Morfeo had on the game did not go unnoticed. Coach Pietro Carmignani stated in the post-match interview: “Domenico Morfeo is not only an important player for the goals he scores, but also for his remarkable character.”

If he can continue to show the kind of character he displayed at the Stadio Granillo then Parma should have no trouble avoiding the slip into Serie B and there may just be a UEFA Cup Final to look forward to. That would be a crowning achievement for the midfielder whose career has never hit the heights that he is so clearly capable of reaching.