On Sunday, October 5, Zebre Parma will host the South African Emirates Lions for Round 2 of the BKT United Rugby Championship. Kick-off is scheduled for 16:00 at Parma’s Stadio Lanfranchi, with live coverage on Sky Sport.
After last Saturday’s thrilling 31-28 victory over Edinburgh Rugby, coach Massimo Brunello keeps his feet on the ground and expects a tough challenge. “We’ll be facing a very physical team,” Brunello notes. “They’re strong in territorial control and forward play. Our aim is to stay close, gain ground wherever we can, and fight until the final whistle. The right attitude and motivation were key in our first game and will again be decisive on Sunday.”
The starting XV for Zebre Parma will be: Giovanni Montemauri; Mirko Belloni, Giulio Bertaccini, Damiano Mazza, Simone Gesi; Giacomo Da Re, Alessandro Fusco; Davide Ruggeri, Bautista Stavile, Samuele Locatelli; Leonard Krumov (captain), Alessandro Ortombina; Ion Neculai, Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Muhamed Hasa. On the bench: Giampietro Ribaldi, Juan Pitinari, Matteo Nocera, Guido Volpi, Giacomo Ferrari, Thomas Dominguez, Marco Zanon, Martin Roger Farias. With Giovanni Licata suspended following last Saturday’s red card, the captaincy will pass to Krumov.
Before kick-off, both teams and the stadium will observe a minute of applause in memory of Leonardo Mussini, on the fourth anniversary of the untimely passing of the Zebre press officer.
The Club House at the Cittadella del Rugby will open at 11:00, offering visitors a range of new experiences. The traditional “Third Half” will follow the game at 19:00. Additionally, a special promotion will be available for students from the University of Parma, with tickets at just €5. This initiative is part of the ViverÈParma project, a tangible example of the collaboration between the University and the Zebre franchise.