I warriors, brigate rosanero, siamo forti e vinceremo!

Preview

First game: check. First victory at home: check. Victory against direct European challenger: check. So far, so good for Zenga’s boys. However, pretty much the same storyline here for week 2, albeit this match will take place away from home. It’s no secret that the key to achieving critical success this season (as in past seasons) is to take points away from home. Palermo’s (and Zenga’s for that matter) track record has been pretty abysmal. Yet, there is something to be said about the mentality of the team this year. Perhaps, things can be turned around this season under a new squad and new manager. Certainly, this team seems to have a bit of a swagger about it that has been keenly different than previous squads. The truth will be revealed during the game tomorrow.

We all know about our own performance last week. There is definitely something to be said about not playing your best game but still managing to get the full three points. It’s a very positive sign that speaks volumes about this squad’s resolve. As for Fiorentina, they’re coming off a very disappointing 1-1 draw to Bologna. One in which former Viola player Osvaldo put his team ahead, only to see Lo Zingaro pull them level and save a point. They’ve also been busy with Champions League matches – so the squad might be a bit fatigued after the midweek game against Sporting. Nonetheless, there are no excuses to be had from either side this early in the season, so let’s take a look at the squads!

Squad Status

Palermo

The squad is not exactly at full strength. We all know about the injury to Hummus aka Liverani. However, Abel Hernandez, Migliaccio and Sneeze all find themselves out for tomorrow’s clash as well. The starting lineup should resemble something like this:

The key position battle is between the Aussie and Maggie Gyllenhaal Bertolo with Bresciano getting a slight nod. Someone tell me it’s not just me that sees the striking similarities between those two! I present to you all Exhibit A and Exhibit B. As the season progresses, I can see Bertolo overtaking the Aussie eventually.

Fiorentina

Tim and Ted’s Excellent Adventures usually keep up a pretty solid blog over at Fiorentina Offside. They could cast some better light on a lineup for the Viola than I could. However, this is how Gazzetta sees it:

According to them, Dainelli and new signing De Silvestri won’t be available along with Castillo. Furthermore, the position battle between the Gypsy and Weird Al Jovetic seems to be leaning in favor of Mutu.

Categorical Matchup

Unibrow Power vs. Too Many Baguettes: Push. Rubinho’s first game saw both positives and negatives. It’ll take him a couple more games before we should expect no more Amelia-type errors. As for the Frenchman, he’s got undoubted talent and is among the best in Italy. Of course, there is the issue with his stomach slowly resembling the progressive rise of yeast in a loaf of French Bread. Nonetheless, both keepers are on par.

Established vs. Angry: Push. Is it just me or do Gamberini and Comotto always look like they want to rip someone’s head off? Fiorentina’s backline is probably not as good as ours, however, considering the game takes place at Fioremerda, it’ll be pretty even. Nevertheless, don’t count out a Gamberini red card.

South American Samba vs. Great Expectations: Palermo. How many times do we have to keep hearing about Montolivo’s potential? It’s getting quite repetitive. Vargas seems to be performing better in the midfield than when he was trying to carry on his glory days at Catania and Marchionni is solid…until he finds himself on the injury report due to a freak fall down a flight of stairs or something. As long as Simplicio can perform moderately and Nocerino can get his own meanstreak going, the rest is smooth. What’s the over/under on Pastore’s dicing of Viola players at?

Tireless Magic vs. Cheats: Push. Unfortunately, against most teams, Miccoli and Cavani get the nod. However, Mutu the Gypsy and Gila the Diver always seem to have some sort of trick up their sleeves. Whether it’s scoring with their hands or against the run of play while an injured man is on the pitch, there’s no way of knowing what antics they’ll pull next! Tune in tomorrow! Note: I suggest distracting Mutu by throwing an 8-ball of blow on the pitch. Ok, I kid, I kid.

Final Analysis

No doubt about it, this will be a tough match on the road. It will also be a good test of how the squad is coming along. In the past, Palermo has seemed to handle Fiorentina pretty well. Amauri was a Fioremerda KILLER. It certainly felt like he scored every game against them…or when he wasn’t scoring he was throwing out no-look assists to the likes of Miccoli.

With that said, is a road win against Fiorentina impossible? I think not. Palermo can pull this one out.

Prediction

2-1. Palermo. Miccoli, Miccoli, Gilardino.

MOTM:

Fabrizio Miccoli

Remembering the Good Times

Se guardi in alto vedi
c’e’ un’aquila che vola
e’ il simbolo la fede
che sta nei nostri cuori….

Ed ecco siamo in gol
i rosa han fatto gol
la mia citta’ e’ in gol
io vivo per il gol
tifiamo tutti assieme
ed il successo viene con il gol!

Don’t ever forget where you came from…

Could the curse be over? Could it be that, after years of poor performances against sure-to-be-relegated teams, we finally know how to beat the crappy squads? I don’t know, we’ll see next week when we battle Torino. But for now, all I can say is that we played a great first half against Chievo. 3-0 at the half, who would’ve thought? We all knew the Asses were Serie A’s worst team, but Palermo has a history of fucking up those games.

At last, it all seemed to click. Liverani, Guana and Raggi were left out of the starting eleven, and we did great from the start. I liked the 4-5-1, with Nocerino (who’s starting to look like me more every week) and Simplicio as defensive midfielders. But the best Ballardini-move was starting Kjaer. I agree with Il Mister that we shouldn’t burn him, but you and I have both seen the impressive work he did in the last 3 games.

The last thing we need to do know, is start flying again. We need to keep both our feet on the ground, and do what we did yesterday again against Torino. After that, we have Inter en Bologna, and we can look at where we are. But for now, I’m just happy were back in the first half of the table, ahead of Catania and not too far away from the top six.

What I Liked:

Kjaer is without a doubt already the discovery of the season. He looks like he could be the lead playbacker of the new boyband-sensation ‘Ricci and The Red Capris’, but he’s a beast in the defense.

Jimmy plays his first game at La Favorità, and he keeps his nets clean. How can you not love the Big Man?

Cavani finally seems to have figured it out: no goals, no future. Two in a row for the Uruguayan, and only one goal less than Amauri over the entire season.

Ballardini’s starting XI. It took him nine games to finally figure it out: no Guana, no Liverani, no Raggi and two defensive mids who know what they’re doing.

What I Didn’t Like:

Bresciano’s stupid tackles. Dude, we finally (kinda) forgave you, and then you go and (almost) spoil it all by doing that? Uncalled for.

The number of goalline clearances. Nothing happened, but it’s not good for my ticker.

Pagelle:

FONTANA 7: First clean sheet of the season, he’s my rock AND my island.
CASSANI 6.5 : Another good game, took 45 minutes off in the second half when the game was already ours.
KJAER 8: Fantastic performance, won us the game. Won a penalty and scored. Should get a little better in the air.
CARROZZIERI 6.5: When Kjaer doesn’t get his head to it, Moris does. -.5 for picking up another yellow.
BALZARETTI 6.5: Same as Cassani.
MIGLIACCIO 6: Did well, but expected a little more leadership. Needs to show Balla he’s the one for Liverani’s place.
NOCERINO 6.5. Great play on the 3-0, but has the same flaws as Miggy. Should lose the temper.
BRESCIANO 4: Least good player in the first half, and a stupid red card.
SIMPLICIO 6 : Did well, but not as good as the previous games.
CAVANI 6.5 : Good game, but has to stop missing all those sitters. Could’ve already scored 10 if he just focused a little more.
MICCOLI 8 : Two assists AND the final pass before Kjaer was fouled in the box AND a goal. What else can you say?
DELLAFIORE, BUDAN, TEDESCO sv

BALLARDINI 6.5: Great starting eleven, but when you’re up 3-0 you should bring the subs a little earlier. And for fuck’s sake, stop playing Nonno. Dress him up as an aquile and let him run around the field, if you’re so desperate to see him on the field.

Facts:

Palermo 3 – 0 Chievo
Miccoli pen 23 (P), Kjaer 37 (P), Cavani 45 (P)

Palermo: Fontana; Cassani, Kjaer, Carrozzieri (Dellafiore 78), Balzaretti; Migliaccio, Nocerino, Bresciano; Simplicio (Tedesco 90); Miccoli (Budan 81), Cavani

Chievo: Sorrentino; Frey, Mandelli, Yepes, Scardina; Luciano (Esposito 74), Patrascu (iunco 55), Bentivoglio; Marcolini (Pinzi 63); Pellissier, Bogdani

Ref: Mazzoleni
Sent off: Bresciano 48 (P)
Giornata 10’s Androberto Guarraciolo Award:

Marco Bresciano. What a way to ruin the momentum you had going on, dude!

Highlights:

Sunday, October 5th, 2008 15.00
Stadio Olimpico, Torino

Palermo Boys, we are here. We beat your women and drink their beer, Palermo Boys, we are here.

Overview

It’s time to put an end to the celebrations after the Reggina game. Giornata six, big test number three. If half of your games after six games count as a big test, you should be happy with ten or twelve points. Test number one was passed succesfully after whooping those giallorossi wolftitsuckers, but we failed test two against Napoli. Sunday, it’ll be the biggest test until now. We will be paying a visit to Penitentiary FC in their Lega Pro-stadium. Do you guys remember our last trip to the black-and-white side of Turin? I certainly do, as it was the biggest disgrace I ever had to endure as a Palermo-fan. It also (for the first time) sealed the faith of Stefano Colantuono. So why not return the favor this year?

Let’s face it: Juve 2008 isn’t Juve 2007. They drew Samp and Catania, and barely saved a point in Belarus against BATE. No Très-e-gay, no Gigi, no consistency. This is the moment boys, the moment to shut up every single one of those 1.248 Juventini in the Olimpico. And yes, I know, we already had our revenge for last year’s can of whoopass, but I wouldn’t mind a second serving.

Squad Status

Palermo

Again:I don’t see many changes happening in the line-up. Everything looked pretty good against Reggina, so why change a winning team? The only thing I (and you) would change, is Liverani. But I think we all know it’s not happening. I think he has somekind of sketchy deal with Zampa.

Guana (yes!), Budan and Bresciano are out for the game, which means:

Probable Lineup:
Amelia; Cassani, Carrozzieri, Bovo, Balzaretti; Nocerino, Liverani, Migliaccio; Simplicio; Cavani, Miccoli

Juventus

Amauri + 10 other guys. Go visit the Juventus Offside.

Probable Lineup:
Manninger; Grygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Camoranesi, Poulsen, Sissoko, Nedved; Amauri, Del Piero

Categorical Matchup

Caesar vs. Mini-Gigi: Palermo. Normally I’d give Manninger the same chances, but he doesn’t really look as good as at Siena last year. The two goals against BATE might have shaken him up a little.

Bash Brothers vs. Shit, There’s Talent: Push. Moris and Bovo are one of the hottest defensive pairs of the moment, but Juve’s got The Schnozz and De Ceglie. Equal odds.

Still The Arab! vs. Mayhem: Juventus. Come on, the Juve-midfield is a class apart guys. Even with Nocerino and Miggy on the field.

Still Not Convinced vs. Hero: Juve. Mighty Mouse is kicking ass, but without Cavani scoring any goals, things might get fucked up. Del Piero shows glimpses of class, while Amauri looks even more like a beast than last year.

Final Analysis

Juventus isn’t in the best of shapes right now, and that might be our chance. I expect the guys to know that beating Juve means that we leave them behind, and that we can count ourselves among the big boys in Serie A. At least for one week, that is. I just hope that Liverani plays his first good match of the season, that Cavani finds the net and that Amauri will remember the good times he had when he was still ‘Our Boy’. As said before: I wouldn’t mind seeing him score twice, just as long as Micco makes it one more.

Form Guide

Palermo
LWWLW

Juventus
DWWDD

Past Encounters

06/04/2008 Palermo Juventus 3-2 Serie A
25/11/2007 Juventus Palermo 5-0 Serie A
07/05/2006 Juventus Palermo 2-1 Serie A
07/01/2006 Palermo Juventus 1-2 Serie A
05/02/2005 Palermo Juventus 1-0 Serie A
25/09/2004 Juventus Palermo 1-1 Serie A

Prediction

I’m not aiming for a win, but a tie would be a fantastic result as well.

1-1. Miccoli, Amauri.

MOTM

Mighty Mouse.

Remembering the good times

Sono Bello, Sono Sano, Mia Madre Mi Ha Fatto Palermitano!

Saturday, August 30th, 2008 18.00
Stadio Friuli, Udine

Overview

Well, this sucks, doesn’t it? We went down to Ravenna, our management is fuckin’ up everything and we don’t seem to be ready for the new season. Yesterday, I even found a site that predicted us ending 14-15th… This season can go either way: we can kick ass and rub our balls against the ass of the Champions League, but we can also end up trying to avoid ugly gayboy Serie B fucking us up the culo. The game against the Terremotati will make things a lot more clear.

Colantuono needs to forget all the transfer-shit from the last week, and try and concentrate on the game. And Sabatini better not be in the stadium.

Squad Status

Palermo

Although it’s the beginning of the season, we’re already missing people. Cassani, who from now on will be called ‘Screamer’, and Carrozzieri are already out with injuries. Dellafiore, The Serbian Stallion and Capuano (yay! party up in here!) are back from their injuries. Another problem might be De Melo: kid is good, kid is ready, kid kicks Cavani’s ass, but kid might be shipped of to Lille before even tasting Serie A. Bobby Goblin might also be out because of a sudden attack of gayness. I hope.

Probable Lineup:
Amelia; Raggi, Dellafiore, Bovo, Balzaretti; Migliaccio, Liverani, Nocerino; Lanzafame, De Melo, Miccoli

Sampdoria

For more on Udinese and their lineup, go visit Udinese’s Offside page.

Probable Lineup:
Handanovic; Motta, Sala, Vujadinovic, Lukovic; Inler, Tissone; Sanchez, Floro Flores, Di Natale; Quagliarella

Categorical Matchup

The Pretty Roman vs. The Slovak Stopper: Palermo. Come on, Amelia is desperate to prove the world that he is the rightful heir to Gigi’s throne. He’s going to wanna show his skills, and doesn’t want to be the first beaten keeper of the season, like Jimmy was last year.

The New Boys vs. Who The Fuck?: Push. I have no fuckin’ clue what to expect from Udinese’s backline. Half of the starting guys aren’t here, and I don’t know what Motta does when not playing for the Azzurrini. On our defense: it can’t be worse than last season, can it?

Keep the Turd on the Bench! vs. Danger!: Push. Migliaccio + Nocerino + Liverani = Udinese-midfield. Minus Miggy + Guana = disaster.

Amauri No More vs. Poor Man’s Luca Toni: Palermo. It’s the start of the season, and Lanzafame wants to show his skills. Add some scary eyebrows and a playboy to that, and there’s no way Quagliarella and Antonio Floro Flores (that must mean something like Flower Flowers in Spanish, I think) are going to beat that. Maybe Di Natale…no, let’s not thing of that…

Final Analysis

This game is a dangerous one. We have some though weeks coming up, so we need to start the season with a win. Especially against a team that could be competing with us for a European ticket at the end of the season. Beating Marino’s team will give ours a boost, and will also sink the Terremotati’s hopes to do as well as last season. It will also be our first glance at the new team and how it has been affected by the crap from the last weeks.

Form Guide

Palermo
No games played.

Udinese
No games played.

Past Encounters
20 games, 5 wins, 8 losses and 7 ties.

1991/92 – serie B – Udinese-Palermo 1-0
1994/95 – serie B – Udinese-Palermo 0-0
2004/05 – serie A – Udinese-Palermo 1-0
2005/06 – serie A – Udinese-Palermo 0-0
2006/07 – serie A – Udinese-Palermo 1-2
2007/08 – c. Italia – Udinese-Palermo 0-0
2007/08 – serie A – Udinese-Palermo 1-1

Prediction

It’s not going to be a highscoring affair, I can tell you that from the past.

1-0. De Melo.

MOTM

Amelia, for not conceding.

Sono Bello, Sono Sano, Mia Madre Mi Ha Fatto Palermitano!

So, what do we have left then? First of all, there’s the signing of Fabio Liverani, our first semi-Somalian ever. And our ugliest player until now?

Then, there’s the Amauri-transfer. Finally finished, bringing Nocerino AND Lanzafame to Palermo. Lanza has been swallowing his previous comments, and had this to say yesterday:

“Il Palermo è una grande squadra con un progetto ambizioso. Sono molto contento del buon esito della trattativa, più del successo a Tolone con l’Olimpica. Ho già parlto con il mister che si è mostrato molto contento del mio arrivo: sa già come impiegarmi. Vorrei che la stagione iniziasse domani.”

The Cavani-to-Lazio-for-Behrami soap has taken a new turn. Lazio is now interested in Miccoli. Too bad for Lazio, Miccoli ain’t going nowhere.

More transfer targets:

* Salvatore Aronica, who said he’s ready to leave Reggina. We’ll be fighting Lazio for him.

* Simone ‘The Beast’ Loria. Another ex-Atalanta player, and really good to replace Pusszagli.

* Marco Amelia, still.

Oh yeah, and Bresciano’s talking to Fulham. Get.The. Fuck. Out. Already.

* Ah, Mariano Grimaldi…what would a week be without his lunacy? Amauri should just fire his dildo-manager.

* The Marco Amelia-story might finally come to an end very soon. TMW says we’re close to signing the Azzurri-back-up, and that would be a relieve. Federico Agliardi, we wish you all the best for Serie B!

* The Liverani transfer could be decided by Saturday. Palermo have given the Florentine 48 hours to make a decission on his 3-year, 850.000 euros a year contract. He might be the guy to give something extra to the midfield, but I still don’t like him.

* We’re also still fishing in the Atalanta-pond. After Ferreira Pinto and Damian Tissone, it looks like we’re also after Marco Materazzi II, A.K.A. Moris Carozzieri. Too bad Udinese and Napoli are after him as well. I’d love to see him tear up some attackers at the Barbera next season.

* The Budan-transfer, just like the Liverani-one, might be close to happening. The Croatian is soon off to preparing EURO 2008 with his team, and Foschi would like to close the deal before that.

More after the jump…

From Stadionews:
“Al Palermo devo tutto, ringrazierò sempre il popolo palermitano che mi ha dimostrato grande affetto”.

Lo ha dichiarato l’attaccante rosanero Carvalho de Oliveira Amauri che, ospite dagli studi Mediaset di Palermo della trasmissione “Controcampo – diritto di replica”, ha speso parole di elogio nei confronti dei tifosi rosanero.

“Tutti mi fermano per strada ringraziandomi per quello che ho fatto ma sono io che devo ringraziare loro perché mi hanno fatto sentire sempre a casa mia. Se sono diventato un giocatore importante lo devo al Palermo. A Palermo sono cresciuto sia come giocatore ma anche e soprattutto come uomo.”

He has etched his name in Palermo’s history books. He will never be forgotten. The heart of a champion. It’ll be hard to see him in another jersey…but it’ll be even harder to replace him.

Grazie per tutto Amauri!!!!