Japan midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata played a part in the second goal as Parma inched closer to safety in the Italian first division with a 2-0 win at home to relegation rival Udinese on Sunday.
After Aimo Diana had headed in the opener on 25 minutes, Parma doubled its lead on 76 minutes when Nakata fed Marco Di Vaio with an overhead kick in the middle of the park with Di Vaio then moving the ball on to Hakan Sukur, who beat Udinese keeper Luigi Turci to wrap up the three points.
"It's a bit late (in the season), but I'm feeling better with every game," said Nakata, adding he was feeling more comfortable with his new role on the left side of a three-man midfield. "I'm getting used to it and think I improve every time I play there."
Record-signing Nakata, booed by home supporters earlier in the season, had one of his best games since his $26 million transfer over the summer and was given a rousing reception by the Parma fans when he was taken off eight minutes from time.
Parma's win lifts it into 10th place on 37 points but it is still only three points above the relegation zone with four games remaining.