Match Information
Match Overview
As Serie A reaches its climactic conclusion on Matchday 38, Parma welcomes Sassuolo to the Stadio Ennio Tardini in what promises to be an intriguing encounter between two mid-table sides looking to finish the campaign on a positive note. With Parma sitting in 13th position and Sassuolo two places higher in 11th, both teams have successfully navigated clear of relegation concerns but will be eager to demonstrate their progress under their respective managers, Carlos Cuesta and Fabio Grosso.
The contrasting recent form between these sides adds a compelling dynamic to this final day fixture. Parma enters this match having endured a difficult spell, suffering three consecutive defeats including losses to Como on May 17, AS Roma on May 10, and Inter on May 3. This poor run has somewhat dampened what was previously a more encouraging period that saw victories against Pisa on April 25 and Udinese on April 18. The inability to secure points against direct competitors like Como will be particularly concerning for Carlos Cuesta, especially given that defeat came away from home where his side have struggled for consistency.
Sassuolo's recent trajectory mirrors Parma's inconsistency, with Fabio Grosso's men also experiencing mixed fortunes in their final stretch. Their recent 3-2 home defeat to Lecce on May 17 and the 2-1 loss at Torino on May 8 have been offset by an impressive 2-0 victory over AC Milan on May 3 and a solid goalless draw at Fiorentina on April 26. This pattern suggests a team capable of rising to occasions against stronger opposition but vulnerable against sides they might be expected to defeat.
Neither side reports any injury concerns heading into this encounter, meaning both managers will have full squads available for selection. This could prove crucial in what is likely to be a closely contested affair between two well-matched teams seeking to end their campaigns with momentum heading into the summer break.
Predicted Lineups
Parma
Zion Suzuki; Alessandro Circati, Mariano Troilo, Lautaro Valenti; Enrico Delprato, Mandela Keita, Hans Nicolussi Caviglia, Christian Ordoñez, Franco Carboni; Mateo Pellegrino, Gabriel Strefezza
Sassuolo
S. Turati; W. Coulibaly, Pedro Felipe, T. Muharemovic, U. Garcia; K. Thorstvedt, N. Matic, I. Kone; D. Berardi, M. Nzola, A. Lauriente
Team Form Analysis
Parma
League Position: 13Parma Form Analysis
Parma's recent form reveals a team struggling to maintain consistency in the final weeks of the season. Their current run of three consecutive defeats represents a significant concern for Carlos Cuesta, particularly given the varying quality of opposition they have faced during this period. The narrow 1-0 defeat at Como on May 17 was perhaps the most disappointing result, as it came against a side in a similar league position where points were certainly attainable.
The 3-2 home loss to AS Roma on May 10 showed both the attacking potential and defensive fragility that has characterized Parma's campaign. While they managed to find the net twice against quality opposition, their inability to secure even a point at home highlighted ongoing defensive issues. The 2-0 defeat at Inter on May 3 was perhaps more understandable given the caliber of opposition, though it continued the concerning trend of failing to score away from home.
However, the earlier victories against Pisa and Udinese demonstrated that this squad possesses the quality to compete effectively when performing at their peak. The 1-0 victory at Udinese on April 18 was particularly encouraging as it showcased their ability to grind out results on the road. Carlos Cuesta will be hoping his team can rediscover that resilience and determination for this final day encounter.
Sassuolo
League Position: 11Sassuolo Form Analysis
Sassuolo's recent form presents a picture of a team capable of both impressive heights and frustrating lows under Fabio Grosso's guidance. Their recent performances have been characterized by an ability to compete with top-level opposition while occasionally faltering against teams they might be expected to defeat. The 3-2 home defeat to Lecce on May 17 exemplified this inconsistency, as they surrendered valuable points at the Mapei Stadium despite taking the lead on multiple occasions.
The 2-1 loss at Torino on May 8 continued this pattern of narrow defeats that have prevented them from climbing higher in the table. However, their standout performance came in the impressive 2-0 victory over AC Milan on May 3, a result that demonstrated their capacity to raise their game against elite opposition. This victory was built on solid defensive foundations and clinical finishing, suggesting the tactical flexibility that Fabio Grosso has instilled in his squad.
The goalless draw at Fiorentina on April 26 and the 2-1 home victory over Como on April 17 further illustrate their inconsistent but promising trajectory. While they have shown they can compete with anyone on their day, the challenge for Grosso has been achieving the consistency required to secure a higher league position. Their attacking output has been reasonable, but defensive solidity away from home remains a work in progress.
Head-to-Head
Parma
Sassuolo
Recent Meetings
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-03 | Sassuolo | 1 - 1 | Parma |
| 2023-08-02 | Parma | 1 - 0 | Sassuolo |
| 2021-08-01 | Parma | 0 - 3 | Sassuolo |
| 2021-05-16 | Parma | 1 - 3 | Sassuolo |
| 2021-01-17 | Sassuolo | 1 - 1 | Parma |
| 2020-02-16 | Sassuolo | 0 - 1 | Parma |
| 2019-09-25 | Parma | 1 - 0 | Sassuolo |
| 2019-04-14 | Sassuolo | 0 - 0 | Parma |
| 2018-11-25 | Parma | 2 - 1 | Sassuolo |
| 2015-03-15 | Sassuolo | 4 - 1 | Parma |
Memorable Matches
The recent history between Parma and Sassuolo has produced several entertaining encounters, with their most recent meeting on January 3 ending in a 1-1 draw that typified the competitive nature of this fixture. That result continued a pattern of closely contested matches between these two sides, with neither team managing to establish clear dominance in recent years.
One of the more memorable encounters occurred on May 16, 2021, when Sassuolo secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Parma, demonstrating their attacking prowess in what was a crucial late-season fixture for both teams. The match showcased the tactical evolution both sides have undergone in recent years, with end-to-end action and multiple lead changes keeping spectators on the edge of their seats.
The September 2019 meeting saw Parma claim a narrow 1-0 home victory, a result that highlighted their ability to grind out results at the Stadio Ennio Tardini. These matches have consistently featured competitive football with both teams showing they can trouble each other regardless of their respective league positions, making this final day encounter particularly intriguing for neutral observers.
Venue Factor
The Stadio Ennio Tardini has traditionally provided Parma with a solid platform for their home performances, though their recent struggles have somewhat diminished this advantage in the closing stages of the campaign. The intimate atmosphere created by the passionate Parma supporters has historically made life difficult for visiting teams, with the compact nature of the stadium ensuring that crowd noise can influence proceedings on the pitch.
However, Parma's recent home form has been inconsistent, as evidenced by their defeat to AS Roma on May 10, which demonstrated that even familiar surroundings cannot always compensate for tactical or technical shortcomings. The challenge for Carlos Cuesta will be to harness the emotional energy of the final day atmosphere while ensuring his players maintain their tactical discipline throughout the encounter.
For Sassuolo, their away record this season suggests they are capable of adapting to hostile environments, though their recent defeat at Torino shows they can still be vulnerable on the road. Fabio Grosso will likely emphasize the importance of starting strongly to silence the home crowd early, knowing that allowing Parma to build momentum through crowd support could prove costly in such a competitive fixture.
Injury Concerns
Parma
Sassuolo
