PALERMO

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Friendlies: Amauri's return Sunday 29 July, 2007

Palermo’s Amauri made his comeback after seven months in an entertaining 3-2 loss to Lecce, while Siena and Catania were also in action.

The Brazilian hitman had his first appearance since rupturing knee ligaments and played for 20 minutes in Austria for this Derby del Sud, going close to a goal when he skimmed the woodwork.

The Sicilians took the lead through Davide Matteini, but by half-time Lecce had turned it around through ex-Torino striker Elvis Abbruscato and Tiziano Polenghi.

Marcello Cottafava brought down Paolo Carbonaro for Fabio Simplicio’s penalty, but the referee also awarded a spot-kick to Lecce and Jaime Valdes secured the surprising 3-2 victory for the Serie B side.

Siena were rather less successful from the spot in their 0-0 draw with Greek outfit Atromitros this evening.

Andrea Mandorlini’s men had the chance to win it, but Enrico Chiesa saw his penalty saved by goalkeeper Micheilidis.

Catania’s Japanese tour was cancelled due to the recent earthquake, so they hastily rearranged a friendly with Serie C2 side Gela.

The result was a comfortable 6-0 for the top flight team. Giuseppe Mascara scored the opener and set up another for Gianvito Plasmati’s powerful finish.

Antenucci, Rocco Sabato, Umberto Del Core and Giacomo Tedesco completed the rout for Silvio Baldini’s men.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Rosanero ready for Roma Wednesday 1 August, 2007

Palermo’s Coach Stefano Colantuono and President Maurizio Zamparini are relishing the Rosanero’s opening-day clash with Roma.

The Sicilians lost both their encounters with the Giallorossi last term and will have bitter memories of a 4-0 thumping at the Stadio Olimpico in December.

However, the mood is defiant as the Aquile await the capital club’s visit to the Stadio Renzo Barbera on August 26.

“Sooner or later you have to play everyone,” reasoned new boss Colantuono.

“It’s good to start with Roma because it will alllow us to keep our focus, and it’s always nice to kick-off against a prestigious side like Luciano Spalletti’s.”

Fiery President Zamparini also seemed unfased by the difficulty of his side’s curtain-raiser.

“I’m delighted to start off with Roma and it would have been just as good to begin with Inter,” he boomed.

“However, the game I’m looking forward to most is Fiorentina as they are our biggest rivals.”

Zamparini will have to wait until December 9 when his men face the Viola at home.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Cavani sees pink Scudetto Thursday 2 August, 2007

Palermo’s young Uruguayan marksman Edison Cavani has surprisingly suggested that the Sicilians are title contenders.

The Rosanero exceeded all expectations at the start of last season when they kept pace with Inter at the top of the Serie A table for the opening months.

However, the Stadio Barbera outfit lost their way a little and slumped to a fifth-placed finish, settling for UEFA Cup football rather than a place in the Champions League.

“We can challenge for the Scudetto,” Cavani boldly insisted to journalists.

“This Palermo side is excellent and can compete at the highest level. Maybe we can win it and maybe we can’t, but we will fight.”

Cavani made his mark as a super-sub and found the net twice in just eight appearances.

After impressing in this summer’s World Youth Championship in Canada, he could command a starting spot in the coming season.

"I like playing as the main striker, but I can adapt to play in other positions,” the ex-Danubio starlet concluded. “I’ll leave that decision up to Stefano Colantuono who is a great boss.”

New signing Giulio Migliaccio is also sure that Palermo can do well under the former Atalanta boss, whom he worked with in recent seasons.

“I know him and his staff very well and I am sure that the training we are undergoing now will be useful, as proved by Atalanta’s performances last year,” the midfielder told the club’s website.

“Our attitude will be Palermo’s main strength and will help this team increase its quality."

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Bresciano next for City? Friday 3 August, 2007

Palermo Coach Stefano Colantuono has hinted that Mark Bresciano is likely to depart Sicily this summer for Manchester City.

The Premiership outfit have been on a Serie A shopping spree, signing Rolando Bianchi from Reggina, Valeri Bojinov from Fiorentina and lining up Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini.

The latest reports suggest that Australian midfielder Bresciano is the next name on Sven Goran Eriksson’s wish list and the Rosanero tactician has confirmed the rumours.

“His sale is almost certain, but I am not worried,” said Colantuono. “He is a good player, but I only want determined and motivated men who are eager to be part of this project.

“I would have fielded him down one of the flanks next season, but it’s not a problem and we will find an adequate replacement.

“We had already targeted a player, but the President of the club who owns him does not want to sell him.”

Colantuono outlined the three basic characteristics his side need in order to succeed next season.

“I want them to be determined, focused and eager to do well. Without these qualities we will go nowhere,” he said.

“We will have to prove that we know how to suffer and fight, which we will have to do until the final minute of every match.”

I don't know about this one, he always seems to be a key player for them.

[Jager]

Fabrizio Miccoli continues to shine as Palermo beat Triestina 3-1, but Bologna’s problems go from bad to worse.

The Rosanero summer signing from Juventus has been the star player so far in pre-season and hit the back of the net again.

Miccoli is forging a solid partnership with Edison Cavani and it was the young Uruguayan who opened the scoring after 21 minutes with a solo effort.

Triestina were dangerous with Allegretti’s free kick, but Jankovic made it 2-0 by intercepting a loose ball in midfield and charging forward for the powerful finish.

The Serie B outfit certainly did not sit back and got into the game through Mattia Graffiedi after Alberto Fontana had only parried a Luigi Piangerelli strike.

Miccoli completed the scoring when he hooked down an Aimo Diana chipped pass over the defence and smashed the angled drive past the goalkeeper.

Amauri was able to play the entire second half – a definite improvement from the 20 minutes he had managed so far in his recovery from knee ligament surgery – and he earned the applause of the fans with an impressive backheel touch.

If Palermo are back on track, then the same cannot be said of Bologna, as the promotion contenders are struggling badly this summer.

They fell to an embarrassing 2-1 defeat to Serie C1 side Sassuolo, despite having taken the lead with a Carrus penalty kick.


Palermo 3-1 Triestina
Scorers: Cavani 21 (P), Jankovic 29 (P), Graffiedi 35 (T), Miccoli 45 (P)
Palermo: Fontana (Agliardi 46); Zaccardo, Rinaudo (Cossentino 76), Biava (Dellafiore 14), Cassani; Diana (Velardi 67), Migliaccio (Guana 46), Simplicio (Tedesco 46), Jankovic (Matteini 46); Miccoli (Amauri 46), Cavani (Matusiak 61)

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Colantuono hails Palermo squad Monday 6 August, 2007

Palermo Coach Stefano Colantuono has praised his men after the ‘ritiro’ part of pre-season training. “They have the right mentality.”

The Rosanero have been working in Bad Kleinkirchheim in view of next term and the tactician is delighted with the team’s work so far.

“We are working well and have responded brilliantly to the intense training programme,” Colantuono told TGS Studio Sport.

“I have found a motivated group of men who are eager to work and I have also had excellent feedback from players who were initially set to change outfit,” added the ex-Atalanta boss.

“Our objectives for next year? We want to play at the highest level in a championship which promises to be very competitive, as there will be no point deductions and Juve will be back. Obviously, we will not snub the Cups.”

Colantuono had hinted that Mark Bresciano was likely to depart Sicily this summer for Manchester City, who have already signed Reggina’s Rolando Bianchi and Valeri Bojinov from Fiorentina.

“I have spoken to sporting director Rino Foschi and President Maurizio Zamparini and they are both determined to make a move in the market to replace Bresciano.

“We have to find a substitute for the Australian in that role. Edison Cavani is a good player who can do great things, he could play in Bresciano’s place,” explained Colantuono.

“However, he is very dangerous upfront and I don’t think it is wise to move him back from our opponents’ goal,” he concluded.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Palermo's Barzagli eyes big club move
tribalfooball.com - August 08, 2007

New Palermo captain Andrea Barzagli admits he'll use this season to put himself in the shop window.

The Italy defender said: "I am convinced that if I have a good season then I will be ready to make the jump to a bigger club.

"I thank Alessandro Nesta for his praise. It's difficult to be compared with him, I hope one day to be as good a player as he."

tribalfootball.com - Palermo's Barzagli eyes big club move

[Jager]

Friendlies: Palermo lose again Thursday 9 August, 2007

Palermo boss Stefano Colantuono has plenty to worry about after his side were defeated by Serie B side Vicenza.

The Rosanero had already lost to Lecce on July 29 before beating Triestina last weekend, confirming that there is still much to work on before the new season.

The islanders faced Vicenza in Villach, where they are completing the second phase of their pre-season training.

Alberto Fontana, Marco Pisano, Andrea Barzagli, Leandro Rinaudo and Mattia Cassani were all sidelined, while Giuseppe Biava is out for two months after fracturing a rib.

Palermo failed to threaten in the first half and conceded the opener after 37 minutes when Serafini sent the ball past Federico Agliardi.

The Serie B outfit then increased their lead after the break thanks to a strike from new signing Capone.

Fabrizio Miccoli was replaced by Franco Brienza, who inspired his side’s goal with an assist for Ciro Capuano, but it was ultimately not enough.

The Sicilians face Serie D side l’Itala San Marco on Sunday before returning to Sicily where they will play Real Zaragoza on August 19.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[LaVecchiaSignora]

An Amauri hat-trick guided Palermo to a 4-2 victory in their final pre-season test against Real Zaragoza, but it was an ill-tempered encounter.

Rosanero boss Stefano Colantuono elected to start the game with Franco Brienza and Mark Bresciano playing behind summer signing Fabrizio Miccoli.

The game started inauspiciously in front of 23,000 fans at the Stadio Renzo Barbera with ex-Brescia man Francelino Matuzalem looking the main threat for the visitors.

Zaragoza took the lead after 34 minutes through Ricardo Oliveira – who joined the Blanquillos from Milan in July – after he beat Leandro Rinaudo and slotted past Alberto Fontana.

On the stroke of half-time the Spaniards were reduced to 10 men in farcical fashion when defender Juanfran was booked for kicking the ball away and subsequently dismissed for sarcastically applauding the referee.

The second period saw a revised Palermo line-up with Brienza replaced with Brazilian hitman Amauri and just seconds after the restart the former Chievo star was inches away with a header.

However, the hosts did equalise minutes later when Amauri flicked on a through ball for Miccoli to race on and blast home.

Parity lasted until 68 minutes when the Aquile were behind once more as Oliveira scored his second of the evening with a measured strike from the edge of the box.

Zaragoza’s 10 men began to tire and seven minutes later a Fabio Simplicio cross was nodded in by Amauri who put the Sicilians ahead from the penalty spot after a handball decision.

Frustration started to show for the Manos as Uruguayan defender Carlos Diogo attempted to head-butt Amauri in a fracas and became the second man to receive his marching orders.

Amauri had the last laugh as he rounded off a memorable performance with a long-range strike to make it 4-2.

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[Trim]

Everything is ready at the Sicilian club for the start of the new season, where the Rosanero are convinced that they can achieve important results which can lead the squad high up in the standings.

Last season Palermo missed out on a Champions League spot despite having a great start to the season.

This year, the Director of Sports of the club, Rino Foschi, is optimistic that things can go better, starting from the first matchday in Serie A, in program this weekend against Roma.

"It will be a great appointment to close the first matchday," he said. "On the debut of the 'Berbera' we were welcomed greatly.

"We believe in our qualities, we have a coach we have believed in with great conviction and we would be very happy if we manage to repeat the results of last season, which means ending the season between the fourth and sixth place.

"These are prestigious objectives considering the squads of our opponents," he concluded.

Goal.com - Italy - Palermo Target Fourth To Sixth Place

[dukeofdavinci]

Miccoli living the dream Thursday 23 August, 2007

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Palermo new boy Fabrizio Miccoli can’t wait for his return to Italy against Roma at the Stadio Renzo Barbera on Sunday evening.

The Lecce-born striker joined the Rosanero from Juventus after impressing in Portugal for the last two seasons with Benfica.

After a prolific pre-season, the 28-year-old is set to start alongside Brazilian star Amauri facing a side he has thrived against in the past.

In his first Serie A season in 2002-03, Miccoli scored against Roma for Perugia at the Stadio Renato Curi and Stadio Olimpico.

“I am very emotional,” he enthused. “To come back and play in the Italian championship is my dream and to do it with a great side like Palermo against Roma is amazing. I can’t wait to get out there.

“It will be tough because they are one of the strongest sides in Italy and they play the best football.

"We will need to play the so-called perfect game if we are going to get a result and we will need the support of the Palermo public.”

Meanwhile, the Sicilians’ sporting director Rino Foschi has confirmed that key defenders Andrea Barzagli and Cristian Zaccardo will be staying at the club, despite a summer of speculation.

“Despite the offers that were made to them during the summer, Barzagli and Zaccardo have agrements with Palermo and have decided to stay here,” he told Teleradiostereo.

hope roma can contain him and amaouri.

[Buddha14]

Mlada Boleslav v Palermo UEFA Cup

Away First Match Discuss Your thoughts

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini has admitted that it will be hard to prevent Brazilian striking star Amauri leaving the club.

The 27-year-old hitman made a name for himself in Verona where he spent three years at Chievo and shone in a side with few stars.

After signing for Palermo in the summer of 2006 and enjoying a superb start to last season, a serious knee injury saw Amauri sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.

This term he is back and has formed a mouth-watering partnership with Fabrizio Miccoli, prompting suggestions that he could acquire an Italian passport and represent the Azzurri.

It seems that Amauri is aware of his potential as he recently described Palermo as a “springboard to launch his career” and has indicated that he would relish the chance to join a bigger club.

“If he shows his potential at the top level, it will be very difficult to keep hold of Amauri for next season,” Zamparini roared.

“I don’t think that he will stay in Italy. He could easily go abroad to a club like Barcelona or an English side.

“We have already tried to sign Graziano Pelle’ and we have Edison Cavani so we can get by if he does leave.”

In conclusion, Zamparini gave his opinion on Amauri’s international future as the ex-Messina man continues to stall on a definitive decision.

“To be honest I think that Amauri would be a striker too many for Italy,” he insisted.

“His heart is Brazilian so I wouldn’t feel he represented me if he ended up playing for the Azzurri.”

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