PALERMO

[Jager]

Palermo are at home, but Udinese are hot and cold, as usual.

They seem to be hot and cold for the last decade.

[Forza_Roma]

1-0 Palermo with a nice header from Caracciolo...he was left unmarked with only the keeper to beat.

[Jager]

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

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Well I'm surprised Udinese didn't put up more of a fight but Palermo won as I predicted.

It's good to see Caracciolo scoring again.

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 20 - 20/1/07 (19.30 UK)
Reggina - Palermo

Stadio Granillo

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These two sides provided a classic on the opening day of the season and there could be fireworks again as Palermo visit the Stadio Granillo to take on Reggina.

Reggina are fighting hard in the face of adversity. The Reggio Calabria outfit looked doomed to relegation when they were handed an 11-point Calciopoli handicap, but they have clawed their way back to 18th and are growing in confidence.

Walter Mazzarri claimed he couldn’t understand how his side lost 3-1 to Milan last weekend and on another day the Amaranto certainly could’ve claimed a point. However, despite the positive atmosphere at the Stadio Granillo, Mazzarri knows that if his side don’t convert good performances into points they won’t stay afloat as Messina are four points away in the first position above the drop zone.

It seems there is life without Amauri for Palermo. The Rosanero had looked lost without their prolific Brazilian marksman, but things are looking up after Andrea Caracciolo ended a nine-month goal drought last weekend in a 2-0 win over Udinese. A fairytale start to the campaign has left the Sicilians with a 12-point lead over fourth-placed Catania and makes Francesco Guidolin’s side strong favourites to claim a Champions League spot. All the Coach can ask of his men is to try and start the second half of the season as they did the first.

Palermo ran out 4-3 winners at the Stadio Renzo Barbera on the first day of the season in an ill-tempered clash that saw 10 yellow cards, one dismissal and a penalty for each side. There may well be some unfinished business between the two teams.

Mazzarri has the luxury of a full squad at his disposal including four ex-Palermo men in his probable starting XI – Maurizio Lanzaro, Alessandro Lucarelli, Francesco Modesto and Giacomo Tedesco.

Palermo have a slight defensive shortage as they travel to the mainland with Giuseppe Biava, Cesare Bovo and Ciro Capuano all injured. Ex-Reggina midfielder Aimo Diana will probably have to settle for a place on the bench as Roberto Guana continues to impress. Key striker Amauri is a long-term absentee.

Man on fire: Giacomo Tedesco (Reggina) – The Palermo-born midfielder shone at the San Siro last weekend. He gave the Milan midfield a real headache and can count himself unlucky that he didn’t find the net.

Last season: Reggina 2-2 Palermo

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

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Reggina (probable): Pelizzoli; Lanzaro, Aronica, Lucarelli; Mesto, Tognozzi, Tedesco, Modesto, Amerini; Amoruso, Bianchi

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

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Guidolin isn't underestimating Reggina.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

Not much happened here...first half was pretty lively...then went downwards. Not a great game!

Reggina 0 - 0 Palermo
Stadio Granillo Palermo were stalled at the Stadio Granillo in a disappointing stalemate.
This was a form of local derby, as Reggio Calabria is the last point on the mainland before the sea takes visitors to Sicily. Both sides have so far performed above and beyond expectations, with the Rosanero in third place and the Amaranto battling back against their 11-point Calciopoli penalty.
Amauri is out injured for the rest of the season, while new signing Luca Vigiani made his Reggina debut. For the second week running, David Di Michele faced one of his former clubs. This week Italian football was experimenting radio mics between the referee and his assistants.
Andrea Caracciolo had a snapshot saved by Ivan Pelizzoli, then Alessandro Lucarelli whipped a splendid left-foot volley over the bar. Palermo should've scored on the counter-attack with Caracciolo rolling across, but Maurizio Lanzaro's tackle on Di Michele from eight yards prevented a certain goal.
There were penalty appeals for a Caracciolo handling offence, but it seemed to be involuntary, as his arm was very close to his torso.
Nicola Amoruso couldn't quite get on the end of Giandomenico Mesto's cross and Rolando Bianchi fired just over from distance, then Amoruso combined passes with a teammate to bring a tough save out of Alberto 'Jimmy' Fontana.
There were chances for both sides in an even first half, Caracciolo's snapshot stinging Pelizzoli's palms. The former Brescia striker had another effort deflected just over the bar, while Di Michele swung a left-foot curler inches past the far top corner.
Alessandro Lucarelli limped off with an injury, so Mesto was brought back to complete the three-man defence. The second period was considerably more fractured with few scoring opportunities and many more fouls.
Cristian Zaccardo swung wildly at an Eugenio Corini corner kick and the ex-Chievo midfielder set up a chance for Di Michele, then at the other end Vigiani failed to nod in Mesto's cross.
There was a curious moment when Giovanni Tedesco came on for Palermo - playing against his brother Giacomo.
Pelizzoli completely mis-timed his punch on a Caracciolo cross and Di Michele almost took advantage of the horrible error five minutes from time.
Reggina: Pelizzoli; Lanzaro, Lucarelli (Amerini 63), Aronica; Mesto, Tognozzi (Barilla' 84), Giacomo Tedesco, Vigiani, Modesto; Amoruso, Bianchi (Missiroli 71)
Palermo: Fontana; Cassani, Zaccardo, Barzagli, Pisano; Guana, Corini (Giovanni Tedesco 82), Simplicio; Di Michele (Diana 82), Bresciano; Caracciolo
Ref: Bertini

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

It seems as if Palermo have run out of steam, even before they lost Amauri they didn't look as good as they were at the start of the season. Having said that Reggina are a decent side so a draw isn't that bad a result.

[Jager]

What did I say?

They are having trouble scoring goals, they have virtually no creativity.

Can you say Cassano?

This club might be in danger of losing their CL spot.

[D-Kin]

Well if they keep this up someone like Fiorentina may just take advantage.

[D-Kin]

Palermo have signed Lecce midfielder Guillermo Giacomazzi, Gianna Munari has gone the other way on loan until the end of the season as part of the deal.

tribalfootball.com - Palermo swoop for Lecce's Giacomazzi

[D-Kin]

Palermo have signed Papa Waigo from Verona, he'll join the club in the summer.

tribalfootball.com - Palermo strike deal for Cesena striker Papa Waigo

[D-Kin]

Palermo have sent midfielder John Otuagomah Olufemi to Switzerland's Bellinzona.

tribalfootball.com - Palermo send Olufemi to Bellinzona

[D-Kin]

Cesare Bovo has joined Torino on loan.

tribalfootball.com - Torino snap up fullbacks Coco, Bovo

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 22 - 2/2/07 (17.00 UK)

Catania - Palermo
Stadio Massimino

One of the bitterest derbies in Serie A will be played on Friday at the Stadio Angelo Massimino. The all Sicilian affair between Catania and Palermo has been re-scheduled at the request of the local council, since a Sunday kick-off would clash with traditional celebrations in honour of Catania’s p