Nesta Elphege came off the bench to score the only goal as Parma beat Pisa 1-0, a result that confirmed Pisa’s relegation to Serie B despite the visitors twice hitting the woodwork.
Parma had gone into the game boosted by a surprise win at Udinese that left them 11 points clear of the drop zone, with Mateo Pellegrino returning from a head injury while Matija Frigan and Benja Cremaschi were unavailable.
Pisa, on the other hand, arrived in poor form after four straight defeats and were without several key players including Matteo Tramoni, Rafiu Durosinmi, Marius Marin and Daniel Denoon, while Mehdi Leris was passed fit despite an ankle issue.
Zion Suzuki produced a brilliant early save, diving to deny Isak Vural’s close-range volley inside the opening minutes.
Parma responded through Mandela Keita, who dispossessed Ebeneezer Akinsanmiro in midfield and forced Adrian Semper into a low stop.
Hans Nicolussi Caviglia went close with a curling effort, before Akinsanmiro struck the base of the post after linking up with Vural.
Parma also wasted chances, with Emanuele Valeri’s dangerous cross failing to find Mateo Pellegrino or Enrico Delprato.
Pisa almost took the lead on the break when Filip Stojilkovic hit the upright with the goal gaping after going one-on-one with Suzuki.
Vural later went off injured, while Samuele Angori made a key block to deny Nicolussi Caviglia following a Pellegrino lay-off.
As the tempo dropped in the heat, Stefano Moreo saw a header crash off the crossbar.
The decisive moment arrived from the bench when Elphege reacted quickest to Oliver Sørensen’s loose header, controlled with his back to goal and finished smartly from close range.
Elphege nearly turned provider moments later, setting up Emanuele Valeri for a save, while Pellegrino also saw a header kept out by Semper.
The result leaves Pisa facing confirmed relegation, depending on Lecce’s result against Verona.
