PALERMO

[D-Kin]

Stefano Colantuono has completed his switch from Atalanta to become the new Palermo Coach, the club has confirmed.

The former Orobici boss had recently extended his contract with the Bergamaschi until 2009, but has now left to head south to Sicily.

Rosanero President Maurizio Zamparini announced last week that the tactician had agreed to join the Rosanero as Francesco Guidolin’s replacement and agreement has now been made official.

“Colantuono is the new Coach of Palermo’s first team. The 44-year-old Roman tactician has signed a two-year contract with the Rosanero,” read an official statement on the club’s website.

“Colantuono will be officially unveiled next Monday, June 11, at the Stadio Renzo Barbera,” announced the statement.

The boss started his coaching career in 2001 with Sambenedettese, before joining Catania and Perugia, leading the latter to the play-offs for Serie A promotion in 2005 before losing out to Torino.

He signed for Atalanta that same year, guiding the Bergamaschi to a clear Serie B win and confirming his qualities with this year’s eighth place in Serie A.

That would have allowed the Orobici to take part in the Intertoto Cup, but UEFA refused to give the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia a European licence.

Colantuono’s frustration at such restrictions on his team’s progress is thought to have been one of the major factors behind his decision to leave the Lombardy outfit.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Daniel24]

National soccer Miccoli can sign for Palermo the "small bomber" is each time more close to coming back to play in Calcium. In case that the Juventus loans Miccoli again, Palermo is figured as the great candidate to the next club to the advanced Italian. For beyond the interest of Palermo in Miccoli, its eventual change for the siciliano club is something that also is part of the plans of the player, as it said in declaration to the Periodical of Sicily: "Palermo can be the certain club for me". Miccoli also left a word to the president of Palermo. "at this moment it is a concrete hypothesis, I know that the two clubs are in negotiations and president Zamparini is a great controller". It is mentioned that, despite this new step in the decision of the future of the former-player of the Benfica, the Italian press continues to place it in the way of the FC Port.
OJOGO ONLINE

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Andrea Caracciolo has left Palermo after Sampdoria netted him in a co-ownership deal this afternoon.

The 25-year-old, who joined the Isolani from Brescia in 2005, failed to impress last season and had already publicly revealed that he would be leaving Sicily this summer.

“Palermo and Sampdoria have agreed to a co-ownership deal for footballer Andrea Caracciolo,” read a note posted on Sampdoria’s website.

Caracciolo, who was also a reported target for Torino and Liverpool in recent times, started his career in Serie D with Sancolombano, before moving on to Como and Pro Vercelli.

He made his Serie A debut with Brescia in 2002 and spent the 2002-03 season on loan at Perugia.

The ‘Heron’ earned his maiden call-up with the Nazionale in 2004 and was recalled by Roberto Donadoni last summer for the friendly with Croatia.

The striker had hoped to take full advantage of the opportunity offered by Amauri’s injury before the Christmas break, but only managed to score five Serie A goals last season with the Rosanero.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Reggina hitman Nicola Amoruso is on the verge of completing a move to Palermo, according to reports.

The veteran has had a sensational season at the Stadio Granillo, as his 17 goals in 34 games helped form the most prolific partnership in Serie A with Rolando Bianchi.


He had been linked with the vacant spot at Fiorentina after Luca Toni’s departure, but rumours claim that Amoruso has agreed to the proposal from Palermo.


Requested by new Coach Stefano Colantuono, the Rosanero need a new centre-forward to replace the Sampdoria-bound Andrea Caracciolo.


It would be a return to Sicily for the ex-Juventus forward, who spent the 2004-05 campaign at rivals Messina.


Amoruso, who turns 33 in August, has had a well-travelled career at Sampdoria, Fidelis Andria, Padova, Juventus, Perugia, Napoli, Como, Modena, Messina and Reggina.


Palermo have also snapped up Davide Matteini after winning the blind auction with Empoli, but lost Stephen Makinwa to Lazio.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Zampa sees strong Sicilians Friday 13 July, 2007

Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini believes his side are the strongest in his five years at the helm and has high hopes for new boss Stefano Colantuono.

The Aquile patron was in high spirits on the eve of the Sicilians’ trip to their pre-season camp in Austria where they will remain until August 4.

“I’m convinced that this Palermo side can be better than ever,” he told the Corriere dello Sport.

“We’ve changed very little just adding the extra quality of Fabrizio Miccoli and Bosko Jankovic.”

Another new face at the Stadio Renzo Barbera is Coach Colantuono who arrived after an impressive campaign at Atalanta last term.

“I have a lot of trust in Colantuono and I hope that he will become the best Coach of my reign,” Zamparini continued.

“At medium-sized clubs harmony in the dressing room can be a decisive factor.”

Colantuono could be forgiven for feeling the pressure, but insists that the Rosanero can upset the big boys.

“It will be a very tough fixture list,” he told journalists. “Serie A will be much more competitive than last year, but we have a strong squad that I think can cause trouble for anyone.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Friendlies: Magic Miccoli Sunday 22 July, 2007

Fabrizio Miccoli bagged a hat-trick on his Palermo debut, while Riccardo Zampagna netted five for Atalanta.

The Rosanero made their first appearance of the campaign with a 15-0 demolition of Nockberge in Austria.

Former Juventus, Fiorentina and Benfica man Miccoli was the star of the show with a treble to get fans’ hearts racing.

He only came on for the second half and it was already 6-0 by that stage thanks to Maurizio Ciaramitaro’s tap-in, a Giulio Migliaccio daisy cutter, Davide Matteini’s brace, Andrea Barzagli volley and Franco Brienza solo effort.

Coach Stefano Colantuono radically changed the line-up during the break and Miccoli ran riot, scoring three goals – including a spectacular lob – and setting up another four for Aimo Diana, Bosko Jankovic and Paolo Carbonaro.

Ciro Capuano also found the net, but it would’ve been more had Carbonaro not seen his penalty saved.

Atalanta were in action, seeing off local side Unione Comuni della Presolana 16-0 in their first friendly of the campaign.

Zampagna took control, scoring five goals including a penalty. Adriano, Daniele Capelli, Antonio Langella, Diego De Ascentis and Moris Carrozzieri were on target.

The scoring was rounded out by Cristiano Doni, Cia and Antonino Bernardini getting a brace each.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Zaccardo wanted summer exit Tuesday 24 July, 2007

Palermo defender Cristian Zaccardo has admitted that he was expecting to move to a big club this summer. “I am a bit disappointed.”

The world champion had stated earlier this year that he was ready to move to a larger side, with Milan his preferred destination, but no negotiations were even started.

“I am disappointed. I think I played my best football during the last campaign and that is why I am a bit saddened by the fact that no big club was interested in my services,” he told Stadionews.

“Now I will work hard to do even better, in the hope that there will be new opportunities for me,” added Zaccardo.

“In any case I am happy here and in the end I am glad I stayed. I have already spoken with the club officials and we will meet shortly to discuss a contract extension.”

Zaccardo, who joined the Isolani in 2004, believes that the primary objective for next season remains a UEFA Cup spot, although the Champions League could become a target along the way.

“We are working hard, but we still need some time to adapt to the Coach’s plans. I think we must focus on a UEFA spot, this year the championship will be even harder as Juventus are back.

“We hope we might compete for a place in the Champions League, last year we had a great opportunity and wasted it,” concluded the Rosanero.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Zaccardo "bit disappointed" to still be with Palermo
tribalfooball.com - July 25, 2007

Cristian Zaccardo admits he's a "bit disappointed" that he has been unable to get a move away from Palermo this summer.


"I am disappointed. I think I played my best football during the last campaign and that is why I am a bit saddened by the fact that no big club was interested in my services," he told Stadionews.

"Now I will work hard to do even better, in the hope that there will be new opportunities for me.

"In any case I am happy here and in the end I am glad I stayed. I have already spoken with the club officials and we will meet shortly to discuss a contract extension."

tribalfootball.com - Zaccardo "bit disappointed" to still be with Palermo


I think the WC ruined this guy...the opposite to what it did for Matrix.

[Jager]

Friendlies: Magic Miccoli Thursday 26 July, 2007

Summer signing Fabrizio Miccoli was the star of the show as Palermo beat Austrian second tier side Kaernten 3-1.

The Rosanero were keen to build on their 15-0 triumph against Nockberge in their opening friendly, but were up against far tougher opposition at the Sportzentrum Fischl in Klagenfurt.

Coach Stefano Colantuono opted to pick a different side for each half and the first period saw Miccoli and Uruguayan yongster Edison Cavani form a strike partnership for the first time.

It took just a minute and a half for the ex-Benfica star to strike. Cavani found Fabio Simplicio on the break and the Brazilian attempted to catch the hosts’ ‘keeper napping with an early shot, his parried save fell to Miccoli to slot home.

The Austrians were spurred into action and veteran custodian Alberto Fontana was at full stretch to deny Guido Burgstaller.

However, Miccoli hit the target again with an impeccable free-kick after Cavani was brought down outside the box.

In a dramatic end to the opening period, Burgstaller was again denied by an impressive Fontana and Cavani saw his effort rebound off the post.

Just minutes into the second half, Polish striker Radoslaw Matusiak, a half-time substitute, forced a corner and Franco Brienza had a dangerous shot blocked.

Against the run of play, Mario Steiner headed home a Ronald Brunmayr cross to close tha gap, but Brienza made it 3-1 with six minutes left tapping in after a Matusiak shot was saved.

Colantuono was understandably satisfied after the game, but claimed that there was much better still to come.

“It’s understandable that the lads were a bit tired today, but the team played well, especially tactically, and that’s what I’m looking for,” he enthused.

“I was especially impressed by Miccoli, Bosko Jankovic and Cavani and I’m delighted that we created so many chances.”

Palermo: First Half: Fontana; Zaccardo, Rinaudo, Barzagli, Capuano; Diana, Guana (Migliaccio 39), Simplicio, Jankovic; Miccoli, Cavani
Second Half: Agliardi; Cossentino, Biava, Dellafiore, Cassani; Ciaramitaro, Migliaccio, Tedesco, Matteini; Brienza, Matusiak

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Daniel24]

Does anybody know why Palermo's match was postponed today?
I try to follow them as much as I can but nobody ever talks about them where I am from....

[Jager]

Amauri raring to go Saturday 28 July, 2007

Palermo hitman Amauri hopes to be there for the first game of the season after a nine-month injury nightmare.

The striker had taken the Rosanero to the top of the Serie A table with eight goals in 18 games, but when he snapped knee ligaments in December, the team tumbled down the standings.

He took part in a game between ranks this week and seemed to be in good shape, but there is a long way to go yet.

“The right knee has responded well to treatment, but considering the seriousness of the injury, we need Amauri to regain muscular strength before he can get back on the field,” explained club doctor Roberto Matracia.

That’s not going to stop the Brazilian, who cannot wait to get started on the 2007-08 campaign.

“I will be ready for August 26, then it is up to the Coach to decide whether or not I’ll be included in the squad,” said Amauri.

He has another tactician to impress, as Italy boss Roberto Donadoni has confirmed he wants to see Amauri in action again.

Although born in Brazil, he has an Italian passport and would be eligible for the Azzurri.

A call-up to the Nazionale was in the pipeline before that horrific injury cut short his season.

“I like Amauri and am curious to see him in action again. Francesco Guidolin said he was crucial for Palermo,” Donadoni told the ‘Gazzetta dello Sport.’

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Originally Posted by Fab

Does anybody know why Palermo's match was postponed today?
I try to follow them as much as I can but nobody ever talks about them where I am from....

Who were they post to play?

This is there fixture list for the summer.

PHP Code:

Palermo
July 22: Palermo 15-0 Nockberge
July 25: Kaernten 1-3 Palermo
August 4: Udinese-Palermo
August 9: Palermo-Lecce
August 19: Palermo-Real Zaragoza 


[Marcelo]

None of them there.They were supposed to play Hannover.
Postp. Hannover ? - ? Palermo

[Daniel24]

Originally Posted by Jager

Who were they post to play?

This is there fixture list for the summer.

PHP Code:

Palermo
July 22: Palermo 15-0 Nockberge
July 25: Kaernten 1-3 Palermo
August 4: Udinese-Palermo
August 9: Palermo-Lecce
August 19: Palermo-Real Zaragoza 


Postp. Hannover? - ?Palermo
I just recently started following them since Miccoli