Parma must turn around a 3-2 deficit against Cagliari in the second leg of Serie B's promotion semi-final playoff at Stadio Ennio Tardini on Saturday.

The Yellow and Blues would be one game away from returning to Serie A after two years away, whereas the away side are seeking immediate promotion to the top flight after last year's relegation.

Match preview

A rip-roaring fight-back by Cagliari saw Parma throw away a two-goal lead in the final quarter of the reverse fixture at the Unipol Domus on May 30.

Fabio Pecchia's team went two goals ahead through Adrian Benedyczak and Simon Sohm and looked primed to seal a hugely important success away from home.

However, the late collapse threw a spanner in the works, and the Yellow and Blues must reverse the deficit on Saturday to play Bari or Suditrol in the final.

Pecchia's men won the last four league games at the Tardini in the regular season, even if they conceded in all but one of those games.

They did defeat Cagliari 2-1 in late April, so the home side have recent success over this weekend's visitors to motivate them before their make-or-break encounter.

Claudio Ranieri was undoubtedly buzzing after a roaring turnaround against Parma saw them secure an unexpected triumph in a game they appeared down and out in heading into the final 20 minutes.

An 85th-minute Gianluca Lapadula penalty was bookended by Zito Luvumbo's double in minutes 68 and 89, raising the roof in Sardinia.

That victory continued Cagliari's run of wins standing at six consecutive triumphs, with five coming in the regular season.

Unbeaten at home since early October, the Islanders' road form leaves much to be desired — Ranieri's men have won just three of their last 10 away matches in Serie B.

While two have been lost, a tendency to play out ties on their travels undermined any ambition to end in the automatic promotion places, evidenced by having the 10th-best road form.

Team News

Gianluigi Buffon was replaced at the break in the reverse fixture, and the legendary Parma goalkeeper may not play on Saturday.

Cristian Ansaldi (calf) and Lautaro Valenti (ligament rupture) are out of the playoff semi-final.

Cagliari boss Ranieri is not expected to have Filippo Falco available, with the winger missing since the recent league defeat against Parma.

Luvumbo could start for the away side after a stirring showing off the bench to turn the first leg on its head.

Parma possible starting lineup:
Chichizola; Del Prato, Osorio, Cobbaut, Coulibaly; Estevez, Bernabe; Zanimacchia, Vazquez, Benedyczak; Sohm

Cagliari possible starting lineup:
Radunovic; Zappa, Dossena, Altare, Azzi; Makoumbou, Deiola; Nandez, Mancosu, Luvumbo; Lapadula

We say: Parma 2-1 Cagliari (Parma advance due to higher league position)

Parma have conceded in five of their last six home games, giving Cagliari a chance heading into Saturday's meeting.

However, a win by a goal margin would suffice for Buffon and his teammates to advance to the decider against Bari or Sudtirol.


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