LIVESTREAM Italy: Parma Panthers @ Legnano Frogs, March 1, 18:00 CET (6 pm, 12 noon ET)

The defending Italian champions, the Parma Panthers (2-0), will take the 90 minute bus ride to Legnano to take on the Legnano Frogs in a clash of undefeated teams as the Italian Football League enters its third weekend of action.

The Panthers defeated the Bergamo Lions 35-10 to open the season and followed that up with a 34-15 victory over the Milano Rhinos. Legnano downed the Ancona Dolphins 20-14 in their season opener and then defeated the Lions 34-7.

These two teams faced each other twice in 2024 with the Frogs coming out on top 55-50 in the first game and Parma getting a measure of revenge with a 29-20 win over Legnano in Game #2.

The Frogs are led by ex-Milano Seamen and Frankfurt Galaxy quarterback Luke Zahradka who has thrown for 593 yards and seven touchdowns in the two games. His favorite targets are Dan Kittner who has 25 catches for 236 yards, and Niccolo Pulsinelli with 15 receptions for 232 yards and four scores.

For Parma, quarterback Emilia Robert Patterson is the key. He has completed 23 of 36 passes for 393 yards and five touchdowns. Matteo Ghelfi has hauled in five of those passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns while Carlo Tassan leads the team with eight receptions for 123 yards and two scores.

The difference in today’s game could be how well the defensive secondaries perform. So far, the Panthers have surrendered a total of 424 yards in the air compared to 291 for Legnano.

The Parma defense will need to get pressure on Zahradka who has a history of performing well against tough defenses.