PALERMO

[Trim]

With Alessandro Del Piero's contract dispute at Juventus still ongoing, outspoken Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has thrown his hat into the ring to become his latest suitor...

Alessandro 'Alex' Del Piero (pictured) could yet leave Juventus next summer, should his current contractual dispute fail to reach a resolution.

Should the worst happen, there seems to be no shortage of takers across Italy and beyond for the veteran forward, with one more potential club coming forward today.

The outfit concerned is Palermo, the Sicilian shock troops out to make an audacious approach for Alex - should certain conditions be met.

President Maurizio Zamparini, no stranger to a media circus, whipped up a sensation by smiling, "I'd sign Del Piero tomorrow if I could.

"Of course, we can't afford his wages, but should a sponsor be interested in helping us, my door is open."

Wages are a sore point for 'Zampa', who has lost out on fine talent before due to financial concerns.

With Amauri looking to move on in future, the president was reminded of the case of Luca Toni, the Azzurri hitman now plying his trade with Bayern Munich.

He was once the golden boy of Palermo but the lure of Fiorentina proved too much for the rosanero to contend with.

"I regret Toni's case, but he was destined to leave, and the same thing happened to Fiorentina," he recalled.

"He made over 7 million euros in three years, not to mention 8.6 million euros in signing-on fees for moving clubs.

"When one talks about those kind of figures, one thinks of a side like Bayern Munich, Barcelona or Real Madrid. Only three teams in Italy can stand as tall as those sides."

Palermo were eliminated from the UEFA Cup last week at the hands of Czech outfit Mladá Boleslav.

Goal.com - Palermo - Zamparini: I Want To Sign Del Piero

[Jager]

Zalayeta gets diving ban Monday 29 October, 2007

Napoli striker Marcelo Zalayeta has been handed a two-game ban for diving to win a penalty against Juventus on Saturday.

The Uruguayan met with the wrath of his former club when he fooled referee Mauro Bergonzi into awarding a penalty in Napoli’s 3-1 win.

Video evidence proved that a spot-kick should not have been awarded and Zalayeta will now miss out on the Vesuviani’s trip to Fiorentina and home game against Reggina.

There is no decision yet on whether bans will be handed out for the players involved in a fracas during the Parma v Livorno clash.

Fernando Couto and Domenico Morfeo could be hit with suspensions for the Ducali and Livorno’s Erjon Bogdani also faces action.

The Disciplinary Commission have also ruled that another Amaranto man Daniele De Vezze will sit out three games for striking Morfeo in the same game.

Single-match bans have been given to nine men, including Massimo Ambrosini of Milan and Juventus trio Giorgio Chiellini, Nicola Legrottaglie and Antonio Nocerino.

Atalanta stopper Moris Carozzieri, Reggina man Maurizio Lanzaro, Livorno’s Giovanni Pasquale and Reginaldo of Parma are the other men to be punished.

channel4.com - Football Italia


Deserved. However I don't think the club will be too upset.

[D-Kin]

Barzagli rages at Sicilian fans Thursday 1 November, 2007

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Palermo stopper Andrea Barzagli was livid after the Rosanero fans whistled and jeered the players during last night’s draw with Parma.

The Sicilians expected to take maximum points against struggling opposition, but they were frustrated and had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Despite watching their side hold Inter last weekend, the notoriously demanding Aquile faithful gave their players a hostile reception.

“I’m really sick of these fans who come and whistle at us and I hate seeing my teammates going home nearly in tears,” Barzagli declared.

“I’m fed up with appealing to the fans, in fact I’m fed up with everything.

"We are a good side and we showed that this evening and we left the pitch with our heads held high, despite the whistles.

“From now on we are playing only for ourselves when we are at home and we aren’t going to care about anything else.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Aladino]

The derby is heating up again. It was a controvesial goal, as Palermo were claiming that the ball crossed the line (not the goal line)... for a goalkick, but Catania kept on playing and they scored. So there was a lot of arguing as you can imagine. We all know what happened iwth i Michele's handball.

Not sure if that made sense.

[Aladino]

Softest penalty ever given to Catania.

[Aladino]

Spinesi, GOAL! 2-0. Pathetic!! This is going to cause shit

[D-Kin]

HT 2-0 to Catania.

[Aladino]

Caserta pulls one back, 2-1

[D-Kin]

Martinez has made it 3-1, only a couple of minutes left.

[D-Kin]

FT 3-1 to Catania.

[Aladino]

Palermo were reduced to 10 men, Caserta got sent off. Not a good start for Guidolin

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 14 - 2/12/07 (14.00 UK)
Catania 3 - 1 Palermo
Mascara 28 (C), Spinesi pen 42 (C), Caserta 63 (P), Martinez 89 (C)
Stadio Angelo Massimino

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Catania conquered the Sicilian derby, giving Francesco Guidolin an unhappy Rosanero return.

This match had so many layers to it, from being the debut of Palermo boss Guidolin following Stefano Colantuono's sacking to the fact this was the first derby at the Stadio Massimino since the rioting that killed Chief Inspector Filippo Raciti in February. As a precautionary measure, the Rosanero fans were banned from travelling for the encounter.

Catania welcomed back Juan Vargas and Christian Terlizzi from suspension, but the visitors were without the injured Fabrizio Miccoli and Edison Cavani. The Elefanti had never won this fixture in Serie A, managing just two draws and last term's 2-1 defeat.

Neither Franco Brienza nor Amauri could get on the end of a taut Aimo Diana cross from the right, then goalkeeper Ciro Polito rushed out to clear from the on-rushing Diana.

Alberto 'Jimmy' Fontana managed to smother a dangerous Gionatha Spinesi effort from point-blank range. Palermo were extremely unlucky not to take the lead, as Franco Brienza flicked on the ball for Amauri, whose lob clipped the crossbar of an open goal.

Catania broke the deadlock in controversial fashion, as the ball seemed to have gone out of play when Spinesi turned at the byeline. The move continued and Giuseppe Mascara got his header to a fine Vargas cross.

Andrea Barzagli was punished for pushing Spinesi in the back as they both went for a seemingly harmless ball from seven yards. Spinesi took the penalty himself and sent Fontana the wrong way with a low drive.

In first half stoppages Amauri threaded through for Fabio Simplicio, but the Brazilian's shot was parried at the near post.

Fontana flew to parry a dangerous Colucci free kick and Palermo got back into it with substitute Caserta's precise left-foot angled drive. However, moments later Caserta was shown a straight red card for his studs-up challenge on Colucci's ankle.

A splendid Jorge Martinez header was fingertipped round the base of the upright and the South American got on the scoresheet in the final minute. It was a glorious goal from the Uruguayan, who curled into the far top corner with his right foot.

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Catania: Polito; Sardo, Terlizzi, Stovini, Vargas; Edusei, Giacomo Tedesco (Colucci 23), Baiocco; Martinez (Sabato 91), Mascara (Izco 56), Spinesi

Palermo: Fontana; Zaccardo, Barzagli, Biava, Cassani; Diana (Giovanni Tedesco 54), Guana, Simplicio, Bresciano (Caserta 54); Brienza (Jankovic 75), Amauri

Ref: Trefoloni

Sent off: Caserta 65 (P)

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Sardo’s Sicilian pride Monday 3 December, 2007

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Catania defender Gennaro Sardo has expressed his delight at winning Sicilian bragging rights over Palermo yesterday.

The Elefanti beat their more prestigious neighbours 3-1 at the Stadio Massimino and secured their first Serie A derby triumph.

The game also put to rest memories of last season’s fixture when policeman Filippo Raciti was killed in clashes outside the stadium.

“It was an important win and one that we really deserved,” Sardo grinned.

“We are so happy with this result against Palermo because it is the first time in the history of the club and it means so much for our fans who follow us with such love.”

Despite Catania’s impressive start to the campaign, Sardo is keeping his ambitions realistic and finished by setting his target.

“The 18 points we have picked up are important as they have moved us up with high-profile sides like Milan, Napoli and Palermo, but we are still just looking for survival,” he insisted.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Marcelo]

Cassani: We're back on track Thursday 7 February, 2008

Palermo defender Mattia Cassani hopes to begin a run of first-team football by playing against Torino and believes the Rosanero are on the up.

Cassani has been forced to play second fiddle since arriving from Verona in 2006 and has made just five starts this term.

“I am always at the Coach’s disposal and the absence of Cristian Zaccardo on Sunday could help my chances of getting a spot on the right,” he explained.

”The fact that Cristian hasn’t been used in the middle very much has meant that I have been used less.

“I didn’t play much under Stefano Colantuono, but with Francesco Guidolin I have had more time on the pitch, even if mostly as a substitute.

“It’s not easy to play well when you come on during a game – you need to be mentally strong and always try and give your best.”

Palermo ended a miserable run with a 1-0 win over Livorno last weekend and Cassani is adamant that they have what it takes to climb the ladder.

“We have the quality to get a win over Torino,” he maintained. “We will try and be more consistent and eliminate the lapses that plagued the first half of the season.

“This year’s championship is very even. The games are tight and the sides that are fighting against relegation can trouble those at the top. We can put together a good run and move towards our objective.”

channel4.com - Football Italia