Mateo Pellegrino’s sixth header of the season, more than any other player in Serie A, allowed Parma to end the campaign beating Sassuolo.
This local derby saw both teams in celebratory mood after securing comfortable mid-table safety, but also with decimated squads for this final round and the likelihood both coaches might be moving on.
The hosts missed Zion Suzuki, Nesta Elphege, Adrian Bernabé, Gaetano Oristanio, Gabriel Strefezza, Enrico Delprato, Benja Cremaschi, Nahuel Estevez, Filippo Rinaldi, Matija Frigan and Jacob Ondrejka. The Neroverdi were without Sebastian Walukiewicz, Aster Vranckx, Daniel Boloca, Filippo Romagna, Fali Candé and Darryl Bakola.
PARMA, ITALY – MAY 24: Fabio Grosso, Head Coach of US Sassuolo Calcio, and Carlos Cuesta, Head Coach of Parma Calcio 1913, pose for a photo prior to the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and US Sassuolo Calcio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 24, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Hans Nicolussi Caviglia and Mateo Pellegrino flashed efforts just wide in the opening minutes, while Daniel Mikolajewski couldn’t keep the finish down after a meek punch.
Lautaro Valenti’s header was also close from a free kick, but Sassuolo finally created a real chance when Edoardo Corvi flapped at the Domenico Berardi free kick, with debutant Tommaso Macchioni failing to turn in the rebound.
Corvi was also decisive to deny Ismael Kone the tap-in, but Armand Laurienté horribly wasted with a scuffed finish when sent clear in a give and go with Berardi.
PARMA, ITALY – MAY 24: Woyo Coulibaly of US Sassuolo Calcio controls the ball while under pressure from Mandela Keita of Parma Calcio 1913 during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and US Sassuolo Calcio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 24, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Jay Idzes had been in doubt and he limped off during the second half, but Stefano Turati flew to fingertip the Nicolussi Caviglia scorcher over the bar.
Pontus Almqvist also saw his curler skim the base of the far post from a tricky angle, but Parma finally broke through when Almqvist stood up a cross from the right for the towering header of Pellegrino.
PARMA, ITALY – MAY 24: Mateo Pellegrino of Parma Calcio 1913 scores his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and US Sassuolo Calcio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 24, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
It was the ninth headed goal of the Serie A season for the Ducali, six of them scored by Pellegrino, more than any other player in the league.
Parma 1-0 Sassuolo
Pellegrino 80 (P)