The Panthers are ready to defend their top spot in the IFL league against the Milano Rhinos.

Parma, April 24, 2009 - A win in order to defend the 1st place: this is what the Panthers are looking for heading in the week 8 home game against the Milano Rhinos. Kick-off this Saturday at 2:00pm CET.

The Milano Rhinos are one of the historical teams of italian football. In the 80's the Rhinos were nearly unstoppable, but in the last years they are rebuilding: the last 2 meetings between Parma and Milano endend with an easy win for the Panthers.

"But this time it will be harder" - said Panthers President Ivano Tira - "Even if the Rhinos are at the bottom of the standing, they won their last league game and are charged-up. We have to pay attention and be focused; underrate this game would be an error. Their best player is, without any kind of doubt, their RB Jason Butler: we must found a way to stop him if we want to win this game."

This is the last regular season home game for Parma: the last 2 games will be in Catania (against the Elephants) and in Bologna (against the Warriors).


INJURY REPORT:
OUT: WR Marco Tunnera (finger), DL Michele Colacino (knee), CB Alessandro Canali (torn ACL), CB Nicola Francani (pulled hamstring), HB Maxim Bulgac (finger), LB Alberto Lanzoni (went to USA, with Norberto De Angelis for the Route 66 project).
QUESTIONABLE: WR Craig McIntyre (pulled hamstring), WR Emanuele Gavesi (pulled hamstring), WR Matteo Grigolo (pulled hamstring). At least, 2 players were taken off from the Injury Report this week, so Coach Papoccia should be able to line-up LB/HB Ryan Tully and DL Lorenzo Ricci.

Notes:

- LB/HB Ryan Tully and DL Lorenzo Ricci were taken off from the injury report, so they should be lined-up by Coach Papoccia.
- In the half-time will take place the Easter Bowl Award Ceremony (for more info on Easter Bowl click here).