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Palermo 2 - 0 Udinese
Caracciolo 32 (P), Zaccardo 74 (P)
Stadio Barbera

Andrea Caracciolo ended his nine-month goal drought to resume Palermo's race for a top three finish.

David Di Michele and Coach Francesco Guidolin came face to face with their former club in this clash for European places, but Amauri's long-term knee injury added to a crisis that saw the Rosanero win just one of their last five matches. Udinese have also stuttered of late and missed the suspended Sulley Ali Muntari and injured goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis. The Rosanero were eager for revenge, as two years ago Udinese won this fixture 5-1.

Within the opening minute Alberto 'Jimmy' Fontana's palms were stung by a touched-on Vincenzo Iaquinta free kick. The visitors lost Dossena to injury after just nine minutes, making way for Andrea Coda.

Palermo also threatened with Roberto Guana's solo effort and a long-range Eugenio Corini strike, but Iaquinta's acrobatic overhead kick was high.

Fontana performed a stunning save on Iaquinta's mazy run and low drive, turning it round the post with an outstretched foot.

The Sicilians were very unlucky not to take the lead on the half-hour mark, as a corner kick was deflected into the path of Andrea Barzagli for a curious backheel flick that was straight at Gabriele Paoletti from a couple of yards.

Palermo have been wondering how they'll survive without Amauri, but Andrea Caracciolo broke his nine-month goal drought with a totally free header on Fabio Simplicio's cross, as the ex-Brescia striker was left criminally unmarked on the penalty spot.

Antonio Di Natale dribbled past Marco Pisano and placed a left-foot curler inches past the far top corner.

The second half started in similar fashion, with Iaquinta creating a good scoring opportunity in the opening minutes, his angled drive from Raffaele De Martino's through ball blocked by Fontana.

Di Michele was unfortunate not to double their lead on 67 minutes, as his wonderful dummy left defenders for dead and he slammed his shot on to the upright. Despite his splendid form, Di Michele was substituted soon after and did not seem very happy with the decision.

Nonetheless, the Rosaero went 2-0 up when Corini's free kick took a touch off Cesare Natali for Cristiano Zaccardo's header from six yards. He would've been offside, but as the deflection came off an Udinese man, he was kept in play.

Substitute Siqueira's shot was deflected off Andrea Barzagli to shake the side-netting from a corner.

Palermo: Fontana; Cassani, Zaccardo, Barzagli, Pisano; Guana, Corini, Simplicio; Di Michele (Diana 70), Bresciano; Caracciolo (Tedesco 89)

Udinese: Paoletti; Zenoni, Natali, Zapata, Dossena (Coda 9); De Martino, Obodo, Pinzi (Eremenko 80); Barreto, Iaquinta, Di Natale (Siqueira 72)

Ref: Paparesta

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