PALERMO

[Forza_Roma]

Serie A Week 34 - 29/4/07 (14.00 UK)

Livorno 1 - 2 Palermo
Corini pen 48 (P), Cesar pen 58 (L), Di Michele 75 (P)
Stadio Picchi

Palermo returned to victory on new Coach Renzo Gobbo's debut in a match with some very controversial refereeing.

The Rosanero made their debut with new Coaching team Renzo Gobbo and youth team boss Rosario Pergolizzi after Francesco Guidolin was fired this week. They had the advantage of facing a Livorno side shorn of their star striker, the suspended Cristiano Lucarelli, as well as Marco Amelia and Carmine Coppola. Andrea Pisano sat out a ban for the Sicilians.

Palermo had not won here in Serie A since 1949, but got off to a strong start with both David Di Michele and Fabio Simplicio shooting off target.

Former Rosanero star Stefano Morrone's snapshot stung Alberto Fontana's palms.

Fabio Simplicio hit the back of the net, but only earned a yellow card for his obvious handling offence.

Paulinho was closed down by the goalkeeper and intelligently cut back for Stefano Fiore, but a desperate defensive tackle deflected it over the bar.

Livorno were increasing the pressure and Mark Bresciano was forced into a goalline clearance to deny Fabio Galante's towering header.

Emanuele Manitta had a scare when he fumbled a cross, but was able to recover the situation under pressure. Paulinho's spin and volley was off target just before the break.

Palermo took the lead in controversial circumstances just after the restart. Di Michele ran into the area and fell as Manitta tried to get the ball, but there did not seem to be any real contact with the player. Nonetheless, the referee pointed to the spot and Eugenio Corini marked his comeback by converting the penalty.

Livorno returned the favour with a similarly debatable spot-kick for Guana's shirt-tug on Morrone. Cesar Aparecido took the penalty duties in Lucarelli's absence and buried the left-foot kick over Fontana to equalise.

Corini had a free kick well saved, while at the other end substitute Marc Pfertzel went on a solo run and his finish flashed across the face of goal.

Palermo went 2-1 up with a fine team goal. Corini's first-time pass sent Di Michele clear on goal and his smart chip left Manitta helpless.

Edison Cavani should have killed off the game five minutes from time, but drilled over with his left foot when it might've been easier to score.

Livorno: Manitta; Grandoni, Galante, Knezevic, Pavan; Filippini, Morrone (Bergvold 77), Passoni, Cesar (Pfertzel 67); Fiore (Vidigal 69); Paulinho

Palermo: Fontana; Biava, Barzagli, Zaccardo; Diana, Guana, Corin (Tedesco 84)i, Simplicio, Bresciano (Cavani 61); Di Michele (Ciaramitaro 81); Caracciolo

Ref: Giannoccaro

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Finally a good result for Palermo.

[Forza_Roma]

It's been like 2 months since they last won?

[D-Kin]

Something like that, it's been 11 games I think.

[Trim]

In the first round, the Giallorossi defeated Palermo with a resounding 4-0 result.

Andrea Barzagli remembers with regret the result of the first round between Palermo and Roma which saw the Giallorossi easily beating the Sicilian side 4-0 and thus claiming the second place in the standings.

However, the Italian international defender is not after revenge, but will do his utmost to achieve a positive result with the Rosanero this weekend.

"That first match was a strange one. We got disjointed after the second goal and then Roma swept us away. Luckily on Sunday Totti will not be there and we have the right tension to face Roma."

Barzagli also denied that he was on the verge of joining Bayern Munich or of leaving Palermo at the end of the season.

"I did not hear anything about an eventual interest by Bayern Munich towards me, and it's not certain that I must leave Palermo at the end of the season," declared the Palermo defender.

Goal.com - Italy - No Roma Revenge, No Bayern Move - Barzagli

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 36 - 13/5/07 (14.00 UK)
Ascoli - Palermo

Stadio Del Duca

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Palermo visit Ascoli at the Stadio Cino e Lillo Del Duca in Week 36 hoping to secure their UEFA Cup position. While the Bianconeri are already relegated, the Sicilians need a few more points to qualify for Europe.

In last week’s round Ascoli were defeated 1-0 by Torino and the Rosanero lost 2-1 against Roma on their own soil. Palermo are in sixth place with 52 points, one behind Empoli and the Sicilian outfit will be looking to make a late overtaking manoeuvre on the Tuscans.

Ascoli are bottom with 20 points and have the second worst Serie A defence and attack. In Week 17 when the two teams played at the Stadio Renzo Barbera, Ascoli were hammered 4-0.

Coach Nedo Sonetti, who has done quite well with Ascoli despite the relegation, has been reconfirmed by President Roberto Benigni and he is already planning the next Serie B campaign.

Ascoli will play with a 4-4-2 formation instead of their usual 3-4-1-2. The injury list is so long that Sasa Bjelanovic, Luigi Di Biagio, Michele Fini, Valentin Nastase, Andrea Foglio and Marco Delvecchio are not available.

In front of Greek goalkeeper Dimitrios Eleftheropoulos, Matteo Melara and Riccardo Corallo should be the central defenders. Domenico Giampà will cover the right flank, with Simone Pesce on the opposite side. Andrea Soncin and Michele Paolucci will form the attacking duo.

Palermo boss Renzo Gobbo is set to use a 4-3-2-1 formation. Palermo will be without Aimo Diana and Edison Cavani, who were both injured against Roma last week. Federico Agliardi is slightly advantaged over Alberto Fontana to get the gloves. Mattia Cassani will return on the right, with Cristian Zaccardo moving to the centre. Captain Eugenio Corini is likely to start from the first minute next to Fabio Simplicio and Roberto Guana. Up front, behind lone striker Andrea Caracciolo, David Di Michele and Mark Bresciano should play.

Man on fire: Andrea Caracciolo (Palermo) – L’Airone has had a disappointing season with the Sicilians after scoring only three goals in 24 games. This match could be a good chance for him to attract any potential buyers.

Last season: Ascoli 1-1 Palermo

Form guide: Ascoli (D L L D L) Palermo (L D L W L)

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Ascoli (probable): Eleftheropoulos; Vastola, Corallo, Melara, Lombardi; Giampà, P.Zanetti, Boudianski, Pesce; Soncin, Paolucci

Palermo (probable): Agliardi; Cassani, Zaccardo, Barzagli, Pisano; Simplicio, Corini, Guana; Bresciano, Di Michele; Caracciolo

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

I would really like to see Ascoli defeat Palermo. That would just be the icing in the cake for Palermo and the season they are having. Do you think Di Michele will remain with Palermo next season? Has 9 goals...hasn't carried the load since Amauri left. But maybe will come back to life next season with a healthy Amauri?

[D-Kin]

Simplicio has scored after 9 minutes to put Palermo 1-0 up.

[D-Kin]

Boudianski scores direct from a freekick, 1-1.

[D-Kin]

Matusiak scores for Palermo, 2-1.

[D-Kin]

HT 2-1 to Palermo.

[Forza_Roma]

Palermo actually winning...surprising. Ascoli trying to salvage something from this season, a draw may be asking too much of them.

[D-Kin]

I wouldn't be surprised if they pulled it back.

[D-Kin]

Paolucci scores for Ascoli, 2-2.

[D-Kin]

Boudianski scores from another freekick, 3-2 to Ascoli!