PALERMO

[D-Kin]

It's 0-0 after 10 minutes.

[D-Kin]

Palermo won 2-1.

Caracciolo, Di Michele and Caserta with the goals.

[D-Kin]

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

Catania 1 - 2 Palermo
Caracciolo 50 (P), Caserta 59 (C), Di Michele 83 (P)
Stadio Massimino

Palermo won this bitter local derby with two controversial goals in a match that was suspended for tear gas amid crowd trouble.

The Sicilian derby was brought forward to Friday evening due to concerns over public safety in a clash with the local Sant'Agata celebrations at the weekend and these proved entirely founded, as the match was marred by crowd trouble. It was suspended on the hour mark when tear gas was thrown on to the field. The Rosanero supporters weren't allowed into the Stadio Massimino until the second half.

Gionatha Spinesi was available after his three-match ban was reduced to two on appeal, but Juan Manuel Vargas was suspended.

After just two minutes Roberto Guana's volley was charged down, then Giuseppe Mascara's effort from distance was held. Catania had a very strong start and Alberto Fontana performed a tricky diving save on Spinesi's left-foot angled drive.

Moments later, the former Bari striker turned a totally free header over the bar from eight yards, while Fontana blocked a Caserta effort.

Goalkeeper Armando Pantanelli's poor clearance handed the ball back to Palermo, but Eugenio Corini blasted over for the chance to go begging.

But Catania maintained the initiative with Fontana turning Mascara's free kick out for a corner and Spinesi's dipping strike was also saved.

Just before the break, Corini's set-piece found Andrea Barzagli after some chaotic defending, but he fired off target with only Pantanelli to beat.

It was Palermo who eventually took the lead against the run of play on 55 minutes. Mark Bresciano rushed into the area and rolled in for Andrea Caracciolo, who cut in on his right and placed a left-foot strike into the far corner. However, there were doubts over an offside position.

It was when the Rosanero fans arrived in the stands that the problems began, two minutes after their team had gone ahead. Fireworks were thrown into the area where the Palermo supporters were sitting, they fought back and tear gas made it impossible for play to continue. The two squads ran back into the changing room in some distress and after around half an hour the game resumed with both sets of club directors blaming the other.

Within 60 seconds of the restart, Catania equalised with Caserta's missile into the top corner. A cross was not dealt with effectively and his smashed half-volley bent back Fontana's fingers.

Another lower Caserta strike was smothered, the same fate that befell Caracciolo's shot. On 72 minutes, Pantanelli flew to fingertip Caracciolo's rising attempt out from under the bar and from the resulting corner kick Fabio Simplicio blasted over.

Mascara almost scored the goal of the season, spotting Fontana off his line and placing a lob from the centre circle that was inches over the bar.

There was further controversy when Palermo restored their lead on 83 minutes. A Corini free kick took a deflection off a Catania player and ricocheted on to Di Michele's arm. The referee judged it to be an involuntary gesture and Di Michele prodded into the net from six yards.

Simplicio's lob whistled past the post, then at the other end Mascara's free kick was tipped over the bar by Fontana.

Catania: Pantanelli; Silvestri, Sottil, Stovini, Lucenti; Baiocco, Edusei (Rossini 89), Caserta; Colucci (Corona 80), Spinesi, Mascara

Palermo: Fontana; Cassani, Zaccardo, Barzagli, Pisano; Guana, Corini, Simplicio; Di Michele (Tedesco 86), Bresciano (Diana 67); Caracciolo

Ref: Farina

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Palermo have officially been awarded that match against Catania as a 2-1 victory in their favour.

tribalfootball.com - Palermo awarded derby 2-1

[Forza_Roma]

This should be a great game as Palermo look to close the gap on Roma and Empoli eye a spot in CL. Palermo have a game in hand on Roma.

Serie A Week 23 - 11/2/07 (14.00 UK)

Palermo - Empoli
Stadio Barbera Palermo welcome Empoli to the Stadio Barbera for a Week 23 clash as they look to close the gap on second-placed Roma. The game is one of just five matches this weekend in which fans will be allowed to attend in the aftermath of last weekend’s Sardinian tragedy.

The Rosanero’s 2-1 win over Catania last weekend was a welcome boost for Francesco Guidolin – on the pitch – as his side have been very inconsistent since defeat to Inter late last year dented their Scudetto hopes. He will also have been delighted to see David Di Michele and, in particular, Andrea Caracciolo return to form in front of goal.

Both men are likely to again form two-thirds of the islanders’ attacking trident, with Australian ace Mark Bresciano completing the threesome. Indeed, the only injury absentee for Guidolin to contend with is Amauri. Out since the turn of the year, it is unlikely that we will see the Brazilian in action again before next season. Guidolin is likely to make just the one change from his victorious side last weekend, with Mattia Cassani making way for Giuseppe Biava at the back.

Empoli boss Gigi Cagni is also blessed with a virtually fully fit squad, and he’ll need all of his key men to step up to the plate after a couple of disappointing results. Goals have been particularly hard to come by this term following the departure of Francesco Tavano last summer, with no one being able to replace him thus far. As a result, the club have just a measly 19 goals to their name after the opening 21 rounds of the campaign.

The flipside of that is that only four sides have conceded less goals than the Azzurri. In a bid to keep that record going, the younger legs of Francesco Pratali are likely to be preferred to Richard Vanigli’s ageing limbs in defence. Nicola Pozzi is also likely to be given another run-out ahead of Luca Saudati in a bid to end the outfit’s woes in front of goal. If he needs inspiration then he should look no further than last term’s meeting between the sides – a Tavano double helped bag Empoli a share of the spoils…

Man on fire: David Di Michele (Palermo) – When on top of his game, Di Michele is as destructive as any player on the peninsula – and he’s back on the goal trail too.

Last season: Palermo 2-2 Empoli

Form guide: Palermo (D W D L W) Empoli (L W W L D)
Palermo (probable): Fontana; Zaccardo, Biava, Barzagli, Pisano; Guana, Corini, Simplicio; Di Michele, Bresciano; Caracciolo
Empoli (probable): Balli; Raggi, Pratali, Lucchini, Tosto; D Moro, Almiron; Busce', Vannucchi, Matteini; Pozzi
Ref: To follow...

[D-Kin]

Well there'll actually be fans at this game.

Palermo really need a win.

[Forza_Roma]

HT 0-0

[Forza_Roma]

0-1 Empoli.......goal by Almiron

[Forza_Roma]

Empoli get the win 1-0....nice! FT

[D-Kin]

Wow, I honestly thought Palermo would win this.

Their form is extremely poor at the moment.

[Forza_Roma]

That's great news for Roma. 7 points up and with a game in hand! Nice!!!!

[D-Kin]

It's good news for those challenging for 4th place as well. Palermo really are under threat now.

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 23 - 11/2/07 (14.00 UK)

Palermo 0 - 1 Empoli
Almiron 47 (E)
Stadio Barbera

Empoli have beaten Palermo in both their meetings this season and a Sergio Almiron goal proved enough in Sicily.

The Rosanero were unable to truly celebrate last Friday's 2-1 win at Catania, as rioting outside the stadium by the home fans saw a police officer killed. Mark Bresciano faced the side he started his Italian career with in 1999-00, playing at Empoli for three seasons.

David Di Michele stung Daniele Balli's palms with a fierce strike, then was halted clear on goal for a debatable offside decision.

Balli had his palms stung by a Mark Bresciano left-foot effort, then Giuseppe Biava's glancing header was just wide from an Eugenio Corini free kick.

The Stadio Barbera got a shock, as within 70 seconds of the restart Empoli took the lead. Sergio Almiron flung himself at Vittorio Tosto's cross from six yards, anticipating Andrea Barzagli to the ball.

Di Michele wasted a golden opportunity to equalise on 78 minutes, as he hooked down a cross to anticipate Raggi and the angled drive with the inside of his left foot struck the far post.

Empoli also rattled the frame of the goal, as Davide Matteini's impressive curler was fingertipped on to the bar.

Palermo: Fontana; Zaccardo, Barzagli, Biava, Pisano; Guana (Tedesco 58.), Corini, Simplicio (Giacomazzi 75); Di Michele, Bresciano (Brienza 58.); Caracciolo

Empoli: Balli; Raggi, Lucchini (Vanigli 90), Pratali, Tosto; Almiron, Moro; Buscè, Vannucchi (Saudati 75), Matteini; Pozzi (Marianini 54)

Ref: Girardi

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

Di Michele wasted a golden opportunity to equalise on 78 minutes, as he hooked down a cross to anticipate Raggi and the angled drive with the inside of his left foot struck the far post.

That was a wasted effort....really should of scored on that one...but i'm not complaining!

[D-Kin]

I'd rather see Palermo doing well to be honest.

They've been on such a poor run recently that there's no danger of them catching Roma now.