Frey helps Parma keep clean sheet at dominant Sevilla
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-11 14:08

French goalkeeper Sebastien Frey produced an inspired display to help former UEFA Cup winners Parma hold a dominant Sevilla to a 0-0 draw in a second knockout round, first leg match on Thursday.

Parma's capitain Giuseppe Cardone duels for the ball with Seville's striker Ariza Makukula during a UEFA Cup soccer match in Seville, Spain, Thursday March 10, 2005. [AP]

Frey's impressive performance between the posts, combined with some wasteful finishing from the Sevilla strikers, allowed the Serie A strugglers to escape with a draw that leaves the tie wide open ahead of next week's second leg.

Sevilla took the initiative from the first whistle in front of 35,000 fans at the Sanchez Pizjuan, with midfielder Jose Luis Marti issuing an early warning to the visitors when he went close with a thundering drive in the fifth minute.

French goalkeeper Frey then produced a spectacular diving save to stop a powerful shot from midfielder Jesuli and pulled off another great stop to deny striker Antonito soon after.

But the Italians, who are mired in the lower reaches of the Serie A this season, managed to weather the early storm and began to threaten on the break as the half wore on.

Sevilla's highly rated young midfielder Jesus Navas had a lively game on the right wing and carved out a great chance for his side when he cut a pass across the face of the goal just before the break, but neither Antonito nor Pablo Alfaro were able to connect.

Parma, without leading striker Alberto Gilardino and midfielder Domenico Morfeo, produced an assured defensive display as they continued to hold firm in the second half.

The Italians, who had eight players booked, went close to grabbing the lead when Marco Marchionni fired in a goal-bound free kick, only to see Sevilla keeper Esteban make a rapid adjustment in order to deny the midfielder a certain goal.

Sevilla, who had won all four of their previous home matches in the UEFA Cup this season, had several great chances to grab a winner as they laid siege to the Parma area in the closing minutes.

But substitute Ariza Makukula was unable to beat Frey with a close range effort and Navas slammed a shot against the woodwork just before the final whistle as the Andalucians were unable to break the deadlock.

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