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Atalanta celebrated their first win at the Tardini in 34 years, but Cristiano Lucarelli had a penalty saved on his debut Parma start.
Both sides have been struggling of late and knew they needed points to avoid sliding further down the standings. The Orobici were without Leonardo Talamonti, Costinha, Marino Defendi and the suspended Fernando Tissone. Parma's problems were at the back with Massimo Paci and Ferdinand Coly injured along with Daniele Dessena and banned Stefano Morrone. January signing Lucarelli had his first start.
Atalanta's Serie A record at the Tardini was to say the least discouraging with six draws and as many defeats here, including last term's 3-1 drubbing. In all competitions they hadn't won in Parma for 34 years.
The visitors took the lead with the first real chance of the game. Pellegrino rose above the tall Parma defenders to get a glancing header on to Guarente's free kick.
The referee awarded a penalty to the home side for Pellegrino's shirt tug on Lucarelli. The former Livorno and Shakhtar Donetsk striker converted the first attempt, which had to be repeated because of encroachment. The second time there still seemed to be players bundling into the box, but Ferdinando Coppola was at full stretch to block Lucarelli's spot-kick with one hand and bravely dived on to the loose ball.
Bucci flew to fingertip a Guarente thunderbolt round the base of the far post.
Lucarelli got his name on the scoresheet soon after, though, as he looped a header over Coppola and into the far top corner from Luca Cigarini's cross.
Guarente repeatedly tested Luca Bucci from distance and just before the break Parma went close with Coppola sticking out a foot to parry Reginaldo's angled drive. Simone Inzaghi gave Rossi an unfortunate memory of this meeting by accidentally knocking out a front tooth with his elbow.
Atalanta took the lead with a truly glorious strike from captain Bellini. A free kick was charged down outside the box, but he hit a remarkable first-time right-foot curler of great power into the near top corner off the underside of the bar.
Sergio Floccari put the game firmly into Atalanta's hands by riding two tackles on his way to blasting a right-foot daisy-cutter past a stunned Bucci at the far post.
The referee awarded Parma's second spot-kick of the game in stoppages for a Ferreira Pinto trip on Andrea Gasbarroni that may have been outside the area. Gasbarroni took on penalty duties this time and converted despite Coppola getting a touch.
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