| Cristiano Lucarelli's stunning goal saved Mimmo Di Carlo's job, but Udinese are in freefall. Goals galore were expected from two sides who don't exactly make defence a priority. This past weekend Parma had thrown away a 4-1 lead at Torino to draw 4-4, while Udinese were crushed 5-3 on home turf by Genoa. Andrea Gasbarroni sat out a ban, though Daniele Dessena and Simone Pepe returned. Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic was dropped, so Antonio Chimenti made his first start since September.
Curiously, this tie hadn't ended in a draw since April 2000 and last season the Friulani came away with a 3-0 victory.
Simone Pepe combined with Antonio Di Natale and the former Palermo youngster's angled drive skimmed the upright. At the other end Cristiano Lucarelli was booked for simulation, though it seemed a harsh decision. Lucarelli's night didn't get any better, as he shrugged off Diaz Felipe to go clear on goal, but fired straight at Chimenti. Reginaldo touched a Lucarelli cross to the edge of the box for McDonald Mariga to blast over the bar. Marco Rossi did very well to close down Andrea Dossena at the last moment, as did Giulio Falcone on Pepe. Fabio Quagliarella nodded a Gokhan Inler cross from the right off target and Stefano Morrone drilled wide from distance. A cheeky Quagliarella backheel almost took Luca Bucci by surprise, but Parma took the lead on 78 minutes. A free kick was crossed into the box by Andrea Pisanu for a fantastic Lucarelli scissor-kick into the ground that bounced past Chimenti. Parma had the opportunity to extend their lead, but Budan was egotistical in not passing to the umarked Mariga, instead firing off target. Udinese also threatened an equaliser with substitute Antonio Flor Flores' header. Budan was brought down by Giampiero Pinzi late on and Luca Cigarini converted the resulting penalty to make the points safe. | 
