Parma's Nicola Sansone condemned Fulham to defeat in their final friendly of the summer, scoring the winner as the Italian side came out 2-1 victors at Craven Cottage.
The Premier League outfit started the afternoon brightly, taking the lead with just 10 minutes on the clock courtesy of a 30-yard screamer from Steve Sidwell.
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Highly-rated teenager Mesca had an opportunity to double their lead seven minutes later, collecting a pass from Byran Ruiz in the danger zone, but he shot straight at Parma goalkeeper Antonio Mirante.
Parma had the ball in the net in the 23rd minute, but the goal was rightly ruled out for an offside against Italy international Amauri.
The Italian outfit came close again just after the half-hour mark when Marco Parolo rattled the Fulham crossbar with a drive that had Maarten Stekelenburg beaten.
Parma bagged their elusive equaliser 10 minutes into the second period through captain Gabriel Paletta, who rose highest to nod in Antonio Cassano's cross.
Both sides had opportunities late, with Ruiz landing a free kick on the roof of the net and Stefano Okaka heading over unmarked at the other.
However, it was Parma who dug deepest ahead of the final whistle, finding a winner as Sansone headed in Gianni Munari's cut-back at the far post with four minutes remaining.
Mark Langshaw
