IFL Week 3 Insight: Parma Panthers Preview - John Uribe (Mar 13)
Week 3 of the Italian Football League brings a clash of the two top opponents as the top ranked Parma Panthers travel to play the 3rd ranked Ancona Dolphins this Saturday 18:00 at Campo della Palla Ovale. Power rankings according to the IFL Instagram page.
Week 2 Survival
Parma Panthers are coming off a season opening win against the Milano Rhinos 33-26. Parma jumped out to a huge 26-0 lead in the first half. Parma`s defense started the game fast and physically stopped Milano`s running and passing attack five drives in a row, before giving up a touchdown right before halftime. The offense put their first points on the board late in the First quarter with a touchdown pass from Robbie Patterson to Wide Receiver Simone Alinovi. In the Second quarter Parma took advantage of some long pass plays and their run offense. Ryan Minniti, who finished the game with 12 carries for 115 yards, capitalized in the Wildcat formation by scoring 3 first half touchdowns. Minniti also added 4 tackles on defense to help the Panthers go into halftime with a 26-7 lead.
The Second half was a completely different game as Milano outscored Parma 19-7 and almost had an incredible comeback. Parma`s defense struggled in the second half containing the Running back out of the backfield for Milano. The Rhinos gashed Parma`s defense for 2 long touchdowns. Parma`s defense did not create the same pressure they did in the first half, and they were on the field most of the second half, while Milano sustained long scoring drives. With 11:09 left in the fourth quarter, a controversial call on Panthers 2-way star Ryan Minniti for targeting that resulted in him being ejected from the game. Without Minniti, the Panthers’ offense struggled to get anything going in the run or pass game, a late turnover on a tipped screen pass was intercepted by Milano`s defensive lineman, and kept the door open for a comeback. But, despite Parma`s second half struggles they were still able to come out victorious in a very exciting football game.
Wait a Minniti
This week I think the biggest concern for the Panther`s is the status of Minniti. Without him the offense and defense struggled, so Minniti is definitely the engine that makes this team go. Without him on the field, Parma seems to be a different team.
Regardless of the team's struggles, it was still their first match and knocking off some rust is normal at the beginning of the season. I expect Parma to come out focused and ready to play against a solid contender in Ancona. This week also gives Parma`s team and other playmakers a chance to prove that they can still play at a high level offensively without Minniti, and their team can play a complete football game for all four quarters.
Ancona is a great Test
If the Panthers do not show up ready to play, Ancona is a good, experienced team that can give them their first loss of the season. Overall, the Panthers showed how deadly their run game can be and have a physical defense. I think Parma is still primed to finish in the top of the standings. Once they have played a few more games and compete in the CEFL International Tournament is when we will know what kind of team Parma has in 2024.
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